Pittsburgh Doctor Debates Cell Phone Safety

September 2008

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania doctor has testified in front of a U.S. House subcommittee, urging them to support more research into the potential health effects of cell phone use. Dr. Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UPMC Cancer Centers, gained media attention in July when he became the first United States cancer center director to issue an advisory to staff and faculty about the possible dangers of cell phones.

Dr. Herberman told the members of the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy that Swedish studies have shown that long-term cell phone use may be associated with brain cancer. According to the studies, people who use cell phones have double the risk of developing malignant brain tumors and tumors on the hearing nerve, and cell phone users under 20 years of age are five times more likely to develop brain cancer. Dr. Herberman suggested that precautions be taken for this age group in particular.

Dr. Robert Hoover, director of epidemiology and biostatistics for the National Cancer Institute, told the subcommittee that he disagreed with Dr. Herberman's conclusions. He cited studies that found "no convincing evidence" linking cell phone use to brain tumors. Dr. Hoover maintained that more research is needed before any conclusions can be made. Members of the subcommittee said that the public deserves to know more about cell phone emissions and that further investigation should be done.