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New Study Finds Increased Risk of Cancer in Cell-Phone-Using Kids

by Tim Stevens on September 23, 2008 at 05:24 PM

Thin Skills Means Greater Cell Phone Risk for Kids?
Naturally, we've been following the discussion on health risks posed by gadget usage quite closely. Cell phones, in particular, are a hotbed of debate, with some experts stepping forward and indicating they are horrible for your health, while other studies are showing no verifiable proof of an increased risk of cancer. Now, a study out of Sweden is showing that, among children at least, cell phone use can result in a distinct increase in cancer incidences.

The study, conducted by Professor Lennart Hardell of the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden, showed that those who started using a cell phone before the age of 20 were five-times more likely to develop glioma, a type of cancer that begins in the brain or spine (parts of the central nervous system). Why the higher likelihood? The researchers explain that because children's skulls tend to be thinner, their brains are more susceptible to the radiation emitted from cell phones.

Meanwhile, those who started using cell phones in their 20s have "only" twice the average shot of coming down with this cancer. Hardell claims to have also found a link between use of normal in-home wireless phones in kids, indicating a four-times increase in risk.

Unfortunately, the details of the study aren't available at this time, including the number of kids who participated in this study, so forgive us if we're not wholly convinced just yet. But, if you were looking for another excuse to not get your tween a mobile yet, you're welcome. [From: The Independent, via textually.org]

Tags: cancer, cell phones, CellPhones, health risks, HealthRisks

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