The trigger for this post was a call from an outlying area in Sri Lanka. A concerned citizen had got hold of my number and wanted my advice on the effects of cell towers an an observed increase in lightning strikes in his area. I told him that people tend to associate new things like cell towers with increases in lightning strikes, without factoring in the possibilities that (a) there was really no change in lightning strikes, there just appeared to be an increase; and (b) other factors may have changed, including the houses that were being hit by lightning. I said that I could not agree to explanations that went counter to basic physics, namely that high objects such as cell towers would not attract lighting and would instead cause lighting to hit objects that were lower in elevation such as houses.
I directed him to several government agencies, including the Telecom Regulatory Commission which was said to have launched a nationwide study on the subject.
That brings me to the subject of cancer. I have been getting inquiries about cancer as well. But here, there is plenty of research. Not only research but writing that explains the research in ways that most anyone can understand. The following excerpt comes from the New York Times. It is an exemplary piece of science writing.
Moreover, if cellphones caused brain tumors, we should have seen a worldwide increase in brain tumors pandemic as the phones became ubiquitous. That hasn’t happened.
“If you look at brain cancer around the world over 25 years that cellphones have been in use, there’s no suggestion at all of any increase in rates,” said Dr. Meir J. Stampfer, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and a consultant to the cellphone industry. “In science, unlike math, we can’t have absolute certainty, but in the scheme of things, this is not a health risk I would be concerned about at all.”
In this age of anxiety, there is a role for people who explain the science behind everyday phenomena. Only problem is that such people do not live in our part of the world (or are not paid to do their job, but entities such as the NYT).
3 Comments
jayanat
this is something i read recently
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
World Health Organization
Links Cell Phones, Cancer
Cell phone use may cause cancer, the World Health Organization announced Tuesday.
There is not enough long-term data to link cancer and cell phone use directly, reported a
group of 31 scientists from 14 countries. But there is enough information to issue an alert.
With Tuesday’s announcement, WHO now groups cell phones in the same hazard category
as chloroform, lead, and engine exhaust.
Related WebMD Coverage of Cell Phones
• Cell Phones Affect Brain, But Does It Matter? (WebMD News, Feb. 22, 2011)
• More Research Is Needed (WebMD News, April 1, 2011)
• Are Cell Phones Safe? (WebMD News, July 24, 2008)
More WebMD Reading & Resources
• Hands-Free Headsets Don’t Improve Driving Safety
• Cell Phone Use During Pregnancy May Put Child at Risk
• Technology and Sleep Don’t Mix
Neel Gunasinghe
According to Derana TV news today Health Minister said that the WHO has confirmed that mobiles cause cancers. Is this true Prof. Samarajiva?
Rohan Samarajiva
No. Pls see: http://lirneasia.net/2011/07/fuss-about-cellphones-causing-cancer-none-about-formaldehyde/
How AI is revolutionizing satellite imagery for a better view of our planet
As of 2025 DAY 33, the satellite tracking website “Orbiting Now” lists 11,559 active satellites in various Earth orbits, each with missions including communications, Earth observation, technology development, navigation, space science, etc. These satellites provide us with an unprecedented view of Earth, enabling real-time monitoring and granular data collection.
Announcing the 5 Grantees of the 1st Cycle of the FutureWORKS Asia Project
We are pleased to announce that the selection round of the Cycle 1 of FutureWORKS Asia has officially concluded. After a thorough review process, we have selected five grantees who proposed innovative and impactful projects that address critical challenges and opportunities in the future of work to make it more inclusive and sustainable in the Global South.
LIRNEasia is hiring: Senior Researcher
LIRNEasia is looking for an experienced individual to fill the position of Senior Researcher. The full job description is available here.
Links
User Login
Themes
Social
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Contact
12, Balcombe Place, Colombo 08
Sri Lanka
+94 (0)11 267 1160
+94 (0)11 267 5212
info [at] lirneasia [dot] net
Copyright © 2025 LIRNEasia
a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific