WASHINGTON-A review by two U.S. scientists of epidemiology studies found no casual association between mobile-phone use and cancer risk.
John Boice and Joseph McLaughlin, two former government scientists who head the International Epidemiology Institute, a biomedical research firm in Rockville, Md., were hired by the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority to conduct the survey.
IEI contributed to a Danish epidemiology study published last year that failed to detect a link between cell phones and cancer. The study was criticized because it did not account for slow-growing tumors and excluded corporate subscribers, who can be heavy wireless users.
Boice and McLaughlin said there is no plausible mechanism to support a carcinogenic effect of non-ionizing radiation from mobile phones.
But on Monday the Environmental Protection Agency said there is “continued scientific uncertainty regarding the existence of non-thermal effects, such as those due to chronic exposure” to mobile-phone radiation. The EPA said it supports additional research on the question of non-thermal effects. EPA said the existing radiation exposure standard for mobile phones provides adequate protection for consumers, but only against thermal risks.
The Swedish radiation agency said the conclusions of Boice and McLaughlin do not necessarily represent its views.
The controversy has heated up in recent weeks as a Baltimore federal judge nears a decision on whether to send an $800 million cancer lawsuit against industry to trial.
