Source: English.news.cn 2011-06-01 12:22:23SYDNEY, June 1 (Xinhua) — A new report on the possible dangers of mobile phone use does not outline the risk or likelihood of actually developing brain cancer, an Australian telecom industry group said on Wednesday.
The report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC) says radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones, wireless devices, radio , television and radar, are “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.
IARC, which is part of the WHO, has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer.
IARC concluded that there could be some risk, and therefore there was a need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has welcomed the findings but says the report needs greater “clarity”.
“After reviewing the available scientific evidence, IARC has assessed it is possible that RF (radio frequency) electromagnetic fields could be a cancer hazard,” AMTA’s Executive Officer Chris Althaus said in a statement on Wednesday.
“However, IARC did not quantify the risk or likelihood of cancer,” Althaus said.
“The IARC classification suggests that a hazard is possible but not likely.”
Althaus said the industry placed the highest priority on safety and supported independent research, but he stressed that most devices already operated within global guidelines.
“It should be remembered that wireless communications equipment is designed to operate within international and national exposure limits, which already have substantial safety margins built into them,” he said.