A landmark¹ court case has ruled there is a link between using a mobile phone and brain tumors, paving the way for a flood of legal actions.

 

Innocente Marcolini, 60, an Italian businessman, fell ill after using a handset at work for up to six hours every day for 12 years.

 

Now Italy's Supreme³ Court in Rome has blamed his phone saying there is a "causal link" between his illness and phone use.

 

Mr Marcolini said: "This is significant for very many people. I wanted this problem to become public because many people still do not know the risks.

 

"I wanted it recognized that there was a link between my illness and the use of mobile and cordless phones（无绳电话）.

 

"Parents need to know their children are at risk of this illness."

 

British scientists have claimed there is insufficient⁴ evidence to prove any link to mobiles.

 

But the respected oncologist and professor of environmental mutagenesis Angelo Gino Levis gave evidence for Mr Marcolini — along with neurosurgeon（神经外科医生） Dr Giuseppe Grasso.

 

They said electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile and cordless phones can damage cells, making tumors more likely.

 

Prof Levis told The Sun: "The court decision is extremely important. It finally officially recognizes the link.

 

Mr Marcolini's tumor² was discovered in the trigeminal nerve（三叉神经） — close to where the phone touched his head.

 

It is non-cancerous but threatened to kill him as it spread to the carotid artery⁵（颈动脉）, the major vessel⁶ carrying blood to his brain.

 

His face was left paralyzed and he takes daily morphine for pain.

 

The World Health Organization urged limits on mobile use last year, calling them a Class B carcinogen（致癌物质）.

 

International radiation biology expert Michael Repacholi said: "Studies show no evidence of cancer. But if you are worried, use a headset, hands-free or loudspeaker."

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