Danger of Mobile Phones - The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria ALTON has assured Nigerians that there is absolutely no cause for cause for alarm, concerning the World Health Organisation (WHO) report that mobile phones can cause cancer. The Chairman of ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, told THISDAY that since the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)study merely calls for more investigations to provide further reassurance, there was no cause for Nigerians to worry. He said that though the WHO has declared that the emissions from the Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) spectrum is "possibly carcinogenic" and 'may cause cancer, ALTON as a way of setting the record straight and reassures all concerned of the safety of EMF signals.

EMF is emitted by mobile phones, wireless devices, radar, and radio and television broadcasts. Adebayo said that though the reports by the organisation about two weeks ago have generated much concern in the general public, he noted that the Press Statement on which the reports are based emanated from the (IARC) which had recently concluded a review of several international research papers on the subject.

The review, according to Adebayo, simply identified some suggestive evidence in human studies which seemed to show that a hazard is possible but not likely.

He stressed that the IARC is yet to publish a full report of the review exercise, "but nevertheless it classifies electromagnetic emissions within "Group 2B". This includes Coffee, Pickled Vegetables, Styrene used for the making of rubber, plastic, insulation, fiberglass, food containers, and carpet backing, etc. Group 2B, Adebayo noted is the category for agents "for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals".

He stressed that this essentially means that there is no basis for the conclusion that mobile emissions can cause cancer in humans, although, he maintained that as with all other emissions (and indeed as with all things), there is need to continue to study the implications of long term, sustained exposure.

Adebayo added that having reviewed the IARC statement and scientific evidence available, it is safe to conclude that EMF signals are neither a definite nor a probable human carcinogen. Rather, the IARC has only concluded that it may be possible that EMF is carcinogenic and has identified further areas for further research.

He reiterated thatthe unequivocal fact is that that EMF emissions belong to the class of non-iodizing range of emissions which are safe for humans. According to him, credible international research has repeatedly demonstrated that EMF emissions are even safer than those emitted by domestic microwave ovens and televisions. He urged readers who wish to carry out further research to visit the website of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for further details.

Efem Nkanga

This Day/16/06/2011