A U.S. investigative news television program caused a mild stir in the wireless industry after airing a report in October on the possible link between cellular phones and health problems. It was the first major U.S. media report on the issue since lawsuits claiming a cell phone-brain cancer link grabbed the public’s attention several years ago.
The program, called “20/20,” suggested the wireless industry has not acknowledged findings from medical studies, even a five-year, US$27 million cancer research program funded by a U.S. wireless trade organization, that suggest a possible connection between cellular phone use and medical problems.
A reporter for ABC, the network that broadcast the program, interviewed Thomas Wheeler, president of the U.S. Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), and several scientists who have conducted limited research in the area of mobile-phone health concerns.
George Carlo, who ran the CTIA-backed research project, said on the program he believes CTIA is downplaying the significance of studies that found a possible link between mobile phones and cancer. Carlo currently sells information on how consumers can protect themselves from RF emissions.
“The consensus of scientific evidence indicates there is not a link between the use of wireless phones and adverse health effects,” said CTIA’s Wheeler.
The program also reported the results of RF emissions testing of several popular mobile phones in analog mode. Most of the tests showed levels of RF above U.S. federal regulations.
The wireless industry decried the “20/20” program as being unbalanced and sensational.
