WHO Says Cell Phones Could Be Carcinogenic
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The World Health Organization created a storm yesterday by reporting that heavy cell phone use might cause brain cancer. But scientists are sharply divided. Is there a common sense path through contradictory findings? Also, the White House meeting on the debt ceiling, and computer hacking and corporate security.
Banner image: A man speaks on his mobile phone on May 31, 2011 in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Making News
Debt Ceiling Meeting at the White House ()
With a final deadline of August 2 to raise the debt ceiling, House Republican leaders met the President at the White House today. They're demanding spending cuts equal to the increase in federal borrowing. Speaker John Boehner urged that "we work together and… not kick the can down the road one more time." Lori Montgomery is financial reporter for the Washington Post.
Guests:
- Lori Montgomery: Washington Post, @loriamontgomery
Links:
Main Topic
Cell Phones and Cancer: Is there a Connection? ()
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency of the World Health Organization, produced scary headlines yesterday by warning that cell phone radiation might cause brain cancer. Tentative as it is, that suggestion contradicts the IARC's own $24 million study of a year ago, as well as the FDA and scientists who claim it's physically impossible. Everybody agrees more research is needed, but five billion people have taken to cell phones in less time than it takes many cancers to develop and grow. Will the WHO issue new guidelines? Should users take precautions on their own? We hear some conflicting opinions.
Guests:
- Bryan Walsh: Time Magazine, @bryanrwalsh
- Keith Black: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Bernard Leikind: independent physicist
- Devra Davis: Environmental Health Trust
Links:
- Walsh on cell phone radiation
- Black discusses cell phones and cancer on 'PBS NewsHour'
- Leikind on the cell phone-cancer link
- Environmental Health Trust on cell phones and brain tumors
- EHT's Safer Phone Zone
- Davis' 'Disconnect: The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family'
Reporter's Notebook
Cyber Attacks Hit PBS, Sony and Lockheed Martin ()
Lockheed Martin, Sony and the Public Broadcasting Service are among the latest targets of computer hackers, but the biggest concern is attacks on security firms that are supposed to protect against hackers. John Markoff is technology reporter for the New York Times.
Guests:
- John Markoff: New York Times, @markoff
Links:
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