Study: Mobile phone exposure has been shown to increase glucose metabolism in the brain

reference

Volkow N, Tomasi D, Wang GJ, et al. Impact of exposure to radiofrequency signals from mobile phones on brain glucose metabolism.JAMA.2011;305(8):808-813.

design

Randomized crossover study

Attitude

Study conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2009 in a single US laboratory.

Participant

47 healthy participants recruited from the community

Study method

Cell phones were attached to the left and right ears and positron emission tomography was used to measure glucose metabolism in the brain, comparing exposure to an activated and a deactivated cell phone for 50 minutes.

Result measure

Brain glucose metabolism is calculated as absolute metabolism (μmol/100 g per minute) and normalized metabolism (region/whole brain).

Key findings

In healthy participants, 50 minutes of cell phone exposure was associated with increased brain glucose metabolism in the region closest to the antenna compared to no exposure.

Effects on practice

For years, medical experts and scientists have raised concerns about the questionable safety of cell phone use, but despite mounting evidence, this tempting technology is hard to resist. The increasing use of mobile phones by humanity, 5 billion users worldwide, requires a thorough, unbiased look at the risks.

The study refutes the longstanding assertion of both the Federal Communications Commission and the wireless industry that there are no biological effects of non-thermal radiation from cell phones.

TheJAMAThe study documents that cell phone exposure affects the brain by increasing brain glucose, a known measure of increased brain activity. Although the study does not offer an explanation for the underlying mechanism, we know that in other biological systems of the body, chronic increases in glucose can have significant effects on local tissues and alter cellular and gene function. In particular, the study refutes the longstanding assertion of both the Federal Communications Commission and the wireless industry that there are no biological effects of non-thermal radiation from cell phones.

The published studies on cell phone use and the possible health risks (including brain tumors,¹and male infertility²) are numerous and many reject any risk. The catalogs of studies, which are often partially financed by the mobile phone industry, also include a meta-analysis that was published inJournal of Clinical OncologyIn 2006, 23 case-controlled studies and nearly 38,000 participants concluded that increased health risks exist.³Recently, a branch of the World Health Organization called the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) convened 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, reviewed peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety, and issued a statement placing exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from cell phone use in the same category like lead and car exhaust: possibly carcinogenic.⁴

At what point do we realize that precautions need to be taken? Our current cell phone safety standards are based on outdated research. They certainly do not take into account the dramatic increase in the number of users, the increase in usage time and the increasing use of mobile phones by young people. Not only the effects on brain tissue need further study, but also the consequences of heavy use and long-term exposure - parameters that have not yet been studied.

The concept of the precautionary principle encourages policymakers to make decisions that will protect the public from a potentially harmful policy or action in the absence of definitive data. When considering the health effects of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, it is important to protect the public from the harm that can result from their use. It's reminiscent of our history with tobacco, when medical professionals waited decades for definitive trial data while millions of people suffered predictable health consequences. By refusing to acknowledge the potential health risks of cell phone use now, we may be harming future generations.

As we continue to gather information, we can advise our patients on the many options for reducing overall electromagnetic radiation exposure:

• Schalten Sie Mobiltelefone aus, wenn Sie sie nicht benutzen. Mobiltelefonemissionen treten immer dann auf, wenn das Telefon eingeschaltet ist, unabhängig davon, ob es benutzt wird oder nicht.
• Vermeiden Sie die Nutzung von Mobiltelefonen, wenn das Signal schwach ist. Die Emissionen steigen, während das Telefon nach einem Sendemast sucht.
• Bewahren Sie Mobiltelefone fern vom Körper in einer Handtasche, einem Rucksack oder einer Aktentasche auf.
• Verwenden Sie ein schützendes Headset, das Abstand zwischen Telefon und Gehirn schafft, möglichst mit schnurgebundenen Ohrhörern.
• Schreiben Sie SMS statt Telefonanrufe.

We can expect technology to continue to advance, including safer phones and safer tower designs. Ultimately, limiting cell phone use – using our cell phones for really important communications and turning them off when not needed – could be the key to reducing risk.