Mobile phone manufacturers should warn users of potential health risks, says Dutch trade union organisation FNV. The union’s statement follows a report released by the World Health Organization claiming a possible link between brain cancer and mobile phone use.

Warning texts should result in people's making more conscious choices about possible risks. “This WHO report should not go unheeded,” says FNV executive board member Leo Hartveld.

Mobile phones: “possibly carcinogenic”
A research review by 31 experts from 14 countries suggests that the increased risk of a malignant type of brain cancer cannot be ruled out. The working group came together in Lyon, France, to investigate human evidence from epidemiological studies.

The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that, from a selection of five categories, mobile phones fall into the category of “possibly carcinogenic”. It concluded that mobiles should be given this rating because of a link with glioma, a type of brain cancer.

The WHO estimates that there are five billion mobile phone subscriptions globally.

Dutch youth prefer smartphones to sex
Young Dutch holiday-goers should watch out. Ten percent are reported to prefer going without sex for two weeks than without internet via their smartphones.

Telecom provider Hi surveyed 300 Dutch people between 18 and 25. They found Dutch youth display addictive behaviour when it comes to permanent mobile internet.

Some said they would give up half a month’s salary to stay online while abroad. Seven percent said they couldn’t bear the idea of a day offline.

(jn/kh)

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