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Overall mortality of cellular telephone customers
K J Rothman1, J E Loughlin, D P Funch
1Epidemiology Resources Inc., Newton Lower Falls, MA 02162-1450, USA.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|May 1, 1996
Summary
This study examined overall mortality among portable and mobile phone users. Researchers found similar age-specific mortality rates, suggesting no increased risk for portable phone users.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Radiofrequency Exposure
Background:
- Portable phones place the antenna closer to the user's head, raising concerns about radiofrequency energy exposure.
- Potential biological effects, including brain cancer, are a concern for portable phone users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a record-based mortality surveillance of cellular telephone customers.
- To compare overall mortality rates between portable and mobile cellular telephone users.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of over 250,000 portable and mobile telephone customers was analyzed.
- Mortality data from 1994 was compared between the two user groups.
Main Results:
- Age-specific mortality rates were found to be similar for both portable and mobile phone users.
- For users with accounts older than 3 years, the mortality rate ratio for portable versus mobile users was 0.86 (90% CI: 0.47-1.53).
Conclusions:
- The study found no significant difference in overall mortality between portable and mobile cellular telephone users.
- Further surveillance is warranted to monitor long-term health effects related to cellular phone use.