Cellphone radiation ‘may fuel cancer cell growth’

MOBILE phone radiation may make cancer tumours grow more aggressively, according to new research.

Italian scientists say microwaves similar to those produced by mobile phones can stimulate genes that trigger cells to multiply. If confirmed, the findings will deepen fears over the safety of mobile phones.

Most experts believe radiation from handsets does not have enough energy to affect cells, other than heating them. The new research suggests mobile phone microwaves can damage DNA and send cancerous cells into overdrive, making them much more aggressive.

Biologist Fiorenzo Marinelli’s team at the National Research Council in Bologna concentrated on leukaemia, since previous studies had indicated that the disease may be more common among mobile phone users.

Leukaemia cells in the laboratory were exposed to microwaves with a frequency of 900 megahertz at a power level of one milliwatt.

Many European mobile phone networks operate at the same frequency, and maximum power outputs are typically two watts, although regularly only one-tenth of this power is used.

After 24 hours’ continuous exposure, “suicide” genes were turned on in the cells. At first, this caused the leukaemia cells to die. But after 48 hours the effect of the radiation went into reverse, New Scientist magazine reported.

Three genes that trigger cells to multiply were turned on in a high proportion of the surviving cells, making them proliferate ferociously. After briefly being beaten back, the cancer became more aggressive.

The results were presented this month at the International Workshop on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on the Greek island of Rhodes.

While they do not show a direct threat to human health, they provide fresh evidence that radiation from such devices may help cancer cells to thrive.

“We don’t know what effects would be on healthy human cells,” said Mr Marinelli. “But in leukaemia cells the response is always the same.”

He suspects the radiation interfered with the cells’ biochemical signals by initially damaging their DNA.

Earlier this year British research at the University of Nottingham showed that microwaves can cause biological effects that are not due to heating.

A British Government inquiry in 2000 found no evidence of health risks from mobile phones. But it recommended take a precautionary approach until further evidence emerges.