Children who regularly use mobile phones are five times more susceptible to brain cancer than others, a study in Sweden has found.

school children and handphone and consumers association of penang Consumer Association of Penang president SM Mohamed Idris, citing the findings today, called on the government to ban the use of mobile phones by those under the age of 12.

Research by Prof Lennart Hardell of University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden, has indicated that children are especially vulnerable to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, wifi and other similar technological devices.

This is because their brains and nervous systems are smaller and their skulls are thinner, allowing radiation to penetrate deeper into the brain.

Hardell is attached to the oncology and cancer epidemiology department. Most of his research has been on risk factors for cancer, such as exposure to pesticides and persistent organic pollutants.

sm mohamed idris Mohamed Idris also urged the government to compel manufacturers to put warning labels on mobile phones and packaging, about potential health risks associated with electromagnetic radiation.

He noted that there has been rapid worldwide development of wireless technology over the past few decades, including increasing usage of wireless telephones.

“This has raised global concerns about health risks, and increasing risk for brain tumours due to close proximity of the brain to radiation antenna. (There is) potential for absorbing comparatively large amounts of electromagnetic energy,” he told reporters today.

Mohamed Idris suggested that a campaign be mounted to create public awareness on the dangers of radiation exposure from mobile phones.

Guidelines in EU

The International EMF (electromagnetic fields) Collaborative - which reviewed Hardell’s research - said in a detailed report last August that the risk rises with the number of years and cumulative hours of mobile phone use.

eu map and flag 020604 Last year the European Parliament adopted resolutions for member-states to implement effective measures and guides to available technology options serving to reduce exposure to EMF.

Hardell said in his report that younger mobile phone users are five times more likely to get acoustic neuromas, which are benign but often disabling tumours of auditory nerve usually causing deafness.

Prior to using mobile phones, young people in their 20s were only 50 percent likely to contract gliomas and twice as likely to get acoustic neuromas..

“Other researchers have found that mobile phone users are prone to ear cell damage, changes in cognitive function, breakdown in body blood barrier and permanent damage to DNA, which is an undisputed cause of cancer,” he said.

Mobile phone use has also been linked to reduced sperm quality, memory impairment, weakened bones, autism, symptoms of electro sensitivity, such as tiredness, stress, headaches, anxiety, concentration difficulties and sleep disturbances.