Use of mobile phones and cordless phones is associated with increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma

Abstract

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO evaluation of the carcinogenic effect of RF-EMF on humans took place during a 24-31 May 2011 meeting at Lyon in France. The Working Group consisted of 30 scientists and categorised the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, and from other devices that emit similar non-ionising electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), as Group 2B, i.e., a 'possible', human carcinogen. The decision on mobile phones was based mainly on the Hardell group of studies from Sweden and the IARC Interphone study. We give an overview of current epidemiological evidence for an increased risk for brain tumours including a meta-analysis of the Hardell group and Interphone results for mobile phone use. Results for cordless phones are lacking in Interphone. The meta-analysis gave for glioma in the most exposed part of the brain, the temporal lobe, odds ratio (OR)=1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04-2.81 in the ≥10 years (>10 years in the Hardell group) latency group. Ipsilateral mobile phone use ≥1640h in total gave OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.56-3.37. The results for meningioma were OR=1.25, 95% CI=0.31-4.98 and OR=1.35, 95% CI=0.81-2.23, respectively. Regarding acoustic neuroma ipsilateral mobile phone use in the latency group ≥10 years gave OR=1.81, 95% CI=0.73-4.45. For ipsilateral cumulative use ≥1640h OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.50-4.40 was obtained. Also use of cordless phones increased the risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma in the Hardell group studies. Survival of patients with glioma was analysed in the Hardell group studies yielding in the >10 years latency period hazard ratio (HR)=1.2, 95% CI=1.002-1.5 for use of wireless phones. This increased HR was based on results for astrocytoma WHO grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme). Decreased HR was found for low-grade astrocytoma, WHO grades I-II, which might be caused by RF-EMF exposure leading to tumour-associated symptoms and earlier detection and surgery with better prognosis. Some studies show increasing incidence of brain tumours whereas other studies do not. It is concluded that one should be careful using incidence data to dismiss results in analytical epidemiology. The IARC carcinogenic classification does not seem to have had any significant impact on governments' perceptions of their responsibilities to protect public health from this widespread source of radiation.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This paper provides an overview of epidemiological evidence and reports a meta-analysis of Hardell group and Interphone results for mobile phone use. In the meta-analysis, higher odds were reported for glioma in the temporal lobe with latency ≥10 years (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.04-2.81) and for ipsilateral cumulative mobile phone use ≥1640 h (OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.56-3.37); acoustic neuroma risk was also elevated for ipsilateral cumulative use ≥1640 h (OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.50-4.40). The abstract also states that cordless phone use increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma in Hardell group studies.

Outcomes measured

• glioma
• acoustic neuroma
• meningioma
• glioma survival
• brain tumour incidence

Limitations

• Review/overview article rather than a single primary study
• Sample size is not stated in the abstract
• Cordless phone results were lacking in Interphone
• Some reported estimates are imprecise and include confidence intervals crossing 1
• The abstract notes inconsistency in brain tumour incidence trends across studies

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.76)
  Discusses the IARC WHO Group 2B classification of RF-EMF and policy implications.

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone, cordless phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "latency ≥10 years; cumulative use ≥1640 h"
    },
    "population": "Human epidemiological studies of mobile and cordless phone users, including Hardell group and Interphone data",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "glioma",
        "acoustic neuroma",
        "meningioma",
        "glioma survival",
        "brain tumour incidence"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This paper provides an overview of epidemiological evidence and reports a meta-analysis of Hardell group and Interphone results for mobile phone use. In the meta-analysis, higher odds were reported for glioma in the temporal lobe with latency ≥10 years (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.04-2.81) and for ipsilateral cumulative mobile phone use ≥1640 h (OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.56-3.37); acoustic neuroma risk was also elevated for ipsilateral cumulative use ≥1640 h (OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.50-4.40). The abstract also states that cordless phone use increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma in Hardell group studies.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Review/overview article rather than a single primary study",
        "Sample size is not stated in the abstract",
        "Cordless phone results were lacking in Interphone",
        "Some reported estimates are imprecise and include confidence intervals crossing 1",
        "The abstract notes inconsistency in brain tumour incidence trends across studies"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.89000000000000001332267629550187848508358001708984375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "mobile phone",
        "cordless phone",
        "glioma",
        "acoustic neuroma",
        "meningioma",
        "brain tumour",
        "meta-analysis",
        "Interphone",
        "IARC"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.7600000000000000088817841970012523233890533447265625,
            "reason": "Discusses the IARC WHO Group 2B classification of RF-EMF and policy implications."
        }
    ]
}

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