Judge dismisses $800 million lawsuit alleging cell phones cause brain tumors

BALTIMORE (AP) _ A federal judge Monday threw out an $800 million lawsuit filed by a Maryland doctor who claims cell phones caused his brain tumor. <br><br>The lawsuit was brought against cell phone manufacturer

Monday, September 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BALTIMORE (AP) _ A federal judge Monday threw out an $800 million lawsuit filed by a Maryland doctor who claims cell phones caused his brain tumor.

The lawsuit was brought against cell phone manufacturer Motorola and several major cell phone carriers.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake ruled that none of the evidence submitted by Dr. Christopher Newman was substantial enough to warrant a trial.

The wireless industry has been watching the case closely because if allowed to go forward, it could have opened the door to other lawsuits. No other such claims have succeeded so far.

Newman, a neurologist, claims the older, analog cell phone he used from 1992 to 1998 caused his brain cancer.

Blake ruled that although there is evidence that radiation from cell phones may cause cancer, there are many more studies that show no relationship between tumors and cell phones.

Newman's attorney, John Angelos, said he was disappointed by the ruling.

Cell phones are used by 97 million Americans. Digital phones emit radiation in pulses; older analog varieties emit continuous waves. By the time cell phones exploded in popularity in the late 1990s, most of those sold used digital technology.

Three major studies published since December 2000, including one by the National Cancer Institute, found no harmful health effects from cell phones.