Press Releases and Announcements - 01 June 2011
Mobile Phone Use, Cancer and Workers Comp
New research into excessive mobile phone use and
cancer could open the door to possible compensation claims by
workers who use mobile phones at work, Maurice Blackburn Principal
Andrew Dimsey said today.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) has acknowledged that a body of studies supports a potential
link between heavy mobile phone use and the development of gliomas,
a form of brain cancer.
"Mobile phone use is not yet an established as a
proven cause of cancer as is asbestos or tobacco smoke," Mr Dimsey
said.
"The IARC has found that mobile phone use could be
a 'possible carcinogen' to humans.
"Its conclusion is based on a number of studies
including one which showed a 40 per cent increase of gliomas among
heavy mobile phone users which is catergorised as 30 minutes per
day over 10 years.
"This could lead to claims for workers compensation
for workers who are required to use mobile phones frequently and
who then develop a glioma.
"If a worker who uses mobile phones heavily
developed glioma then the increased risk proven in international
studies could support a finding that they have a work-related
cancer.
"While this is not likely to be the 'next asbestos'
there are likely to be some claims in the years ahead.
"The consequences of the study are that further
research is warranted. With millions of workers expected to use
phones as part of their jobs, we need more research to find out
more about the risks and what can be done to reduce them.
"In the meantime the IARC has encouraged phone
users to use pragmatic steps to reduce exposures such as hands-free
devices or texting."
Media inquiries:
Stephen Moynihan at Maurice Blackburn
T 0419 112 711
E smoynihan@mauriceblackburn.com.au
New research into excessive mobile phone use and cancer could
open the door to possible compensation claims by workers who use
mobile phones at work, Maurice Blackburn Principal Andrew Dimsey
said today.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has
acknowledged that a body of studies supports a potential link
between heavy mobile phone use and the development of gliomas, a
form of brain cancer.
"Mobile phone use is not yet an established as a proven cause of
cancer as is asbestos or tobacco smoke," Mr Dimsey said.
"The IARC has found that mobile phone use could be a 'possible
carcinogen' to humans.
"Its conclusion is based on a number of studies including one
which showed a 40 per cent increase of gliomas among heavy mobile
phone users which is catergorised as 30 minutes per day over 10
years.
"This could lead to claims for workers compensation for workers
who are required to use mobile phones frequently and who then
develop a glioma.
"If a worker who uses mobile phones heavily developed glioma
then the increased risk proven in international studies could
support a finding that they have a work-related cancer.
"While this is not likely to be the 'next asbestos' there are
likely to be some claims in the years ahead.
"The consequences of the study are that further research is
warranted. With millions of workers expected to use phones as part
of their jobs, we need more research to find out more about the
risks and what can be done to reduce them.
"In the meantime the IARC has encouraged phone users to use
pragmatic steps to reduce exposures such as hands-free devices or
texting."
Media inquiries:
Stephen Moynihan at Maurice Blackburn
T 0419 112 711
E smoynihan@mauriceblackburn.com.au