Cell Phones and Health: Is There a Brain Cancer Connection?

Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:10am EDT
 
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Experts Convene in Washington D.C. Sept 13-15




WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Are cell phones safe? Mounting concerns
about the cancer risks of cell phone radiation, especially for children, will
bring experts to Washington for a groundbreaking international conference on
September 13-15. The goal of the conference is to propose a U.S. research
agenda. 

The latest scientific evidence on cell phones and human health and public
policy implications will be presented by such respected experts as Dr. Ronald
B. Herberman, Director Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute;
Dr. Siegal Sadetzki, Tel Aviv Medical University, Israel's key researcher on
cancer and cell phones; Dr. Margaret Offermann, national research deputy at
the American Cancer Society; and Professor Frank Barnes, chairman of the 2008
National Academy of Sciences report on research needed on cell phones and
other personal wireless devices.

Key members of Congress are expected to attend. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA)
is planning to independently chair a Senate hearing on cell phones and health
on Monday, September 14 on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Devra L. Davis, Professor of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh
and primary organizer of the conference, reports: "Deeply troubling findings
have been reported outside the U.S., where cell phones have been widely used
for longer periods of time. These findings show a doubled risk of brain
cancer. Many governments, including France, Finland, China and Russia, even
advise that children not use cell phones." 

Says co-organizer Dr. Dariusz Leszczynski, Research Professor at the Finnish
Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, "People want to believe that cell
phones are safe, but at this point we cannot make that judgment. Some
scientific evidence suggests that cell phones might be harmful. Given the
current uncertainty, we have to develop precautionary measures to reduce
potential risks while the new research is planned and carried out." 

Sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences;
University of Pittsburgh; National Research Center for Women & Families; The
International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety; The Flow Fund Circle, and
the Environmental Health Trust, the conference will be held at the historic
Credit Union House, 4th and Maryland Ave. NE, near the U.S. Capitol.

A limited number of spaces are available for the public to attend. The agenda
and pre-registration forms are on www.environmentalhealthtrust.org. Media
contact is Judy Katz, 212-580-8833, cell 917-841-1843, judy@katzcreative.com.



SOURCE  Environmental Health Trust

Judy Katz, of Katz Creative, Inc., +1-212-580-8833, or +1-917-841-1843 (cell),
judy@katzcreative.com

 

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