Study Links Cell Use to Mouth Tumors

People who use cell phones frequently are 50% more likely to develop salivary gland tumors, according to a new study. Researchers at Tel Aviv University compared a population of nearly 500 tumor patients to a control group of healthy subjects; more than 400 of the 500 patients selected for study had benign tumors, while 58 suffered from malignant ones.

Information Week notes that the study contradicts a 2006 report in the same journal, in which Swedish researchers said cell phone use contained no increased tumor risk. "While I think this technology is here to stay, I believe precautions should be taken in order to diminish the exposure and lower the risk for health hazards," the lead Israeli researcher said in a statement. (More cell phones stories.)