WASHINGTON-A new study failed to find an increase in cancer and other diseases among nearly 200,000 employees who worked at Motorola Inc. from 1976 to 1996.
The study, published in the March issue of Epidemiology and underwritten by Motorola, was conducted by Robert Morgan, Michael Kelsh, Ke Zhao, K. Alex Exuzides, Shirley Heringer and Wendy Negrete.
Motorola workers were classified into high, moderate, low and background radio-frequency exposure groups. None of the groups, according to the study’s authors, showed a higher-than-normal rate of brain cancers or other maladies.
“Although this study is limited by the use of a qualitative exposure matrix and the relatively young age of the cohort, our findings do not support an association between occupational RF exposure and brain cancers or lymphoma/leukemia,” the study stated.
The findings support the wireless industry’s long-held contention that mobile phones are safe.
Other research has found DNA breaks and genetic damage from mobile phone radiation, but there are differences of opinion whether such findings are accurate and, if so, whether they suggest a possible health threat to the nation’s 84 million mobile phone subscribers.
On a related front, Dr. George Carlo-the man who oversaw the $28 million cellular industry-funded cancer research project-addressed the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association’s board of directors last Wednesday at the trade group’s conference in New Orleans.
The appearance at the convention by Carlo, who has publicized positive results from his research, was arranged just days before last week’s wireless show.
Carlo said CTIA recently wrote him to inquire about assets-like RF exposure systems-held by Wireless Technology Research L.L.C. Carlo replied through his lawyer that he wanted to speak to the CTIA board. CTIA extended an invitation to do just that the Friday before the conference.
Carlo, who is working with Baltimore power lawyer Peter Angelos to conduct additional RF health research, said he plans to sell or give away WTR assets as he winds down the program. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has signaled it is interested in seeing more government health research on mobile phones.
The Federal Communications Commission last week reminded wireless licensees of the Sept. 1 deadline for complying with RF exposure guidelines.
