WASHINGTON-Dr. George Carlo, the controversial scientist who broke with the cellular industry last year after finding data possibly linking mobile phone use to health problems, will roll out a new research program this week combining epidemiology, laboratory research and passive surveillance of the nation’s 90 million wireless phone subscribers.
Carlo said he plans to use TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and other media to advertise the Radiation Protection Project across the country and to solicit information from consumers who believe they have mobile phone radiation-related injuries.
The announcements, which will air in coming weeks, may confuse consumers, particularly mobile phone subscribers, who have been at the receiving end of cellular industry ads that tout the safety benefits of pocket phones.
Consumers will have the option of using the Internet, telephone or mail to access a questionnaire with 14 queries. Carlo said the confidential responses may trigger follow-up, on-site interviews by scientific investigators.
“The most important thing that’s not being done right now is looking for problems from wireless phone use. No one is looking anywhere in the world,” said Carlo.
Carlo, an epidemiologist and lawyer, was hired in 1993 by Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association President Thomas Wheeler to oversee a six-year, $28 million program managed by Wireless Technology Research L.L.C.
“They (the industry) should have done this a year ago,” said Carlo. “The [Food and Drug Administration] should have demanded that the industry do passive surveillance. That’s why we put this as the highest priority.”
CTIA is working with the FDA to repeat two WTR experiments that found genetic damage from strong doses of mobile-phone radiation.
“We are taking a course of action with the Food and Drug Administration that is guided by federal government authorities who are experts on these issues,” said CTIA spokesman Jeffrey Nelson. “All legitimate research should be encouraged.”
The industry has long held that most research does not support a relationship between mobile phones and diseases, such as brain cancer and leukemia. But some studies, here and overseas, have identified DNA breaks, genetic damage and neurological effects that could be associated with mobile-phone use.
The World Health Organization and individual countries have launched mobile-phone health programs in recent years.
Carlo said the program, which is funded by corporate donors and wealthy individuals, will cost $50 million to $60 million.
In addition to post-market surveillance, there will be lab research, a defibrillator study, a comprehensive study of analog phone users from 1994, a leukemia study, a re-evaluation of the FCC’s radio-frequency radiation safety standard and investigations into the possible effects of mobile-phone radiation on children and pregnant woman.
Carlo is working closely with Baltimore lawyer Peter Angelos, who has successfully litigated personal injury cases against the asbestos and tobacco industries.
Carlo’s findings could become evidence in any future class-action lawsuit against the wireless industry by Angelos.
