http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/943
aspartame, cell phones, brain cancer July 1999 Hardell:
Murray 1.9.3 rmforall:
FDA Docket 02P-0317 Recall Aspartame as a Neurotoxic Drug

Please post this to the FDA Dockets website.

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA 505-986-9103

"In Table 3, exposure to different agents is presented. No association
was found for exposure to asbestos, pesticides, organic solvents,
smoking, or a video display unit.
For low-calorie drinks taken as aspartame exposure, an OR of 1.24
(95% CI, 0.72-2.14) was found. The risk was further increased for
malignant tumors, with an OR of 2.66 (95% CI, 1.01-7.04) in the
highest-exposure group."

"Some studies have suggested an association with exposure to certain
pesticides.[1,13] This was not found in this study. Regarding aspartame,
it is difficult to assess total exposure, since it occurs in different
types of food, such as beverages, ice cream, cakes, and sweets. However,
the highest per capita exposure is from low-calorie drinks, with an
estimate of 45% in a Norwegian study.[5] Thus, we assessed only intake
of such beverages. For malignant brain tumors, an increased risk was
found in the highest-exposure group. This was based on low numbers and
must be interpreted with caution. Also, the cutoff dose for dividing
the number of exposed controls into 2 groups with equal number was low
(6864 centiliters) indicating possible underreporting of intake of
low-calorie drinks. However, the mean age of cases and controls was
50 years, and consumption of low-calorie drinks is clearly a more
common habit in young subjects. No increased risk was found in a US
study on childhood brain tumor and aspartame consumption.[14]"

Int J Oncol 1999 Jul; 15(1): 113-6
Use of cellular telephones and the risk for brain tumours: A
case-control study.
Hardell L, Nasman A, Pahlson A, Hallquist A, Hansson Mild K
Orebro Medical Centre, SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden.
lennart.hardell@... +46 19 602 15 46
http://www.medscape.com/MedGenMed/braintumors
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408055

The use of cellular telephones has increased dramatically during the
1990's in the world. In the 1980's the analogue NMT system was used
whereas the digital GSM system was introduced in early 1990's and is
now the preferred system. Case reports of brain tumours in users
initiated this case-control study on brain tumours and use of
cellular telephones. Also other exposures were assessed. All cases,
both males and females, with histopathologically verified brain
tumour living in Uppsala-Orebro region (1994-96) and Stockholm
region (1995-96) aged 20-80 at the time of diagnosis and alive at
start of the study were included, 233 in total. Two controls to each
case were selected from the Swedish Population Register matched for
sex, age and study region. Exposure was assessed by questionnaires
supplemented over the phone. The analyses were based on answers from
209 (90%) cases and 425 (91%) controls. Use of cellular telephone
gave odds ratio (OR) = 0.98 with 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.
69-1.41. For the digital GSM system OR = 0.97, CI = 0.61-1.56 and for
the analogue NMT system OR = 0.94, CI = 0.62-1.44 were calculated.
Dose-response analysis and using different tumour induction periods
gave similar results. Non-significantly increased risk was found for
tumour in the temporal or occipital lobe on the same side as a cellular
phone had been used, right side OR = 2.45, CI = 0.78-7.76, left side
OR = 2.40, CI = 0.52-10.9 Increased risk was found only for use of the
NMT system. For GSM use the observation time is still too short for
definite conclusions. An increased risk for brain tumour in the
anatomical area close to the use of a cellular telephone should be
especially studied in the future.
Comments: Comment in: Int J Oncol 1999 Nov;15(5):1045-7
PMID: 10375602, UI: 993076

http://www.medscape.com/ Medscape General Medicine Original Article
Case-Control Study on Radiology Work, Medical X-ray Investigations, and
Use of Cellular Telephones as Risk Factors for Brain Tumors
Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, Orebro Medical Center,
SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden email: lennart.hardell@...
Asa Nasman, MSc, Department of Oncology, Orebro Medical Center,
SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden
Anneli Pahlson, MD, Department of Neurology, Orebro Medical Center,
SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden
Arne Hallquist, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, Karolinska Institute
and Stockholms Sjukhem, Mariebergsgatan 22, SE-112 35 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract
Context. Ionizing radiation is a well-established risk factor for brain
tumors. During recent years, microwave exposure from the use of cellular
telephones has been discussed as a potential risk factor.
Objective. To determine risk factors for brain tumors.
Design. A case-control study, with exposure assessed by questionnaires.
Participants. A total of 233 currently living men and women, aged 20 to
80 years, were included. The case patients had histopathologically
verified brain tumors and lived in the Uppsala-Orebro region (1994-1996)
or the Stockholm region (1995-1996). Two matched controls to each case
were selected from the Swedish Population Register.
Main Outcome Measures. Ionizing radiation and use of cellular telephones
as risk factors for brain tumors.
Results. A total of 209 cases (90%) and 425 controls (91%) answered the
questionnaire. Work as a physician yielded an odds ratio (OR) of 6.00,
with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.62 to 57.7. All three case
patients had worked with fluoroscopy. Radiotherapy of the head and neck
region yielded an OR of 3.61 (95% CI, 0.65-19.9). Medical diagnostic
x-ray examination of the same area yielded an OR of 2.10
95% CI, 1.25-3.53), with a tumor induction period of 5 years or more.
Chemical industry work yielded an OR of 4.10 (95% CI, 1.25-13.4),
and laboratory work yielded an OR of 3.21 (95% CI, 1.16-8.85).
Ipsilateral use of cellular telephones increased the risk for
tumors in the temporal, temporoparietal, and occipital lobes (OR, 2.42;
95% CI, 0.97-6.05), ie, the anatomic areas with highest exposure to
microwaves from a mobile telephone. The result was further strengthened
(OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.02-6.71) in a multivariate analysis that included
laboratory work and medical diagnostic x-ray investigations of the head
and neck.
Conclusion. Exposure to ionizing radiation, work in laboratories, and
work in the chemical industry increased the risk of brain tumors. Use
of a cellular telephone was associated with an increased risk in the
anatomic area with highest exposure.
[MedGenMed, May 4, 2000. @ Medscape, Inc.]
Keywords: Brain tumors, fluoroscopy, radiologist, radiation, medical
x-ray, cellular telephones
Contacts: David Fluhrer Medscape 212-760-3138
david_fluhrer@...
Andrew Lavin/NinaDietrich A. Lavin Communications 212-290-9540
mail@...
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 8 a.m. EDT, May 4, 2000

CELL PHONE USERS STILL AT RISK FOR BRAIN CANCER,
ACCORDING TO SWEDISH MEDICAL RESEARCHERS
Peer-Reviewed Article on Medscape General Medicine
Points to Higher Risk for Analog Phones

New York, NY, May 4, 2000-- With worldwide cellular phone use rising
exponentially, a team of Swedish medical investigators is raising
renewed concerns about links between brain tumors and the phones in a
new, peer-reviewed article to be posted today on Medscape General
Medicine, (MedGenMed, www.medscape.com/journal/MedGenMed), the online
general medical journal.

In the report, “Case-Control Study on Radiological Work, Medical X-ray
Investigations and Use of Cellular Telephones as Risk Factors for Brain
Tumors,” the Swedish team investigated localization of the brain tumors
since handheld cell phones increase the exposure of microwaves to the
side of the brain corresponding to the side of the head most favored by
cell phone users. Statistical analysis indicated an increase in
associated risk for brain tumors in the anatomical areas-­ i.e.,
temporal, temporoparietal and occipital lobes of the brain-- that
received the highest doses of microwaves. The risk from cell phones was
significantly increased when adjustment was made for other risk factors
in the study (laboratory work and medical x-ray investigations of the
head and neck). The article also points out that all but one of the 13
individuals with malignant or benign tumors within exposed anatomical
areas of the brain relied on the older analog technology with greater
power output. The complete report will be available to the public at
http://www.medscape.com/MedGenMed/braintumors.

The study, conducted over a two-year period in two separate regions of
Sweden, evaluated a total of 233 patient cases with verified brain
tumors. Each of these patient cases was matched to two controls, or
healthy subjects (466 in total), based on similar sex, age, and
geography. Eight of these 233 patients had recurrent brain tumors and
were excluded from the study together with their matched controls.
The cases and controls were evaluated for exposure to a variety of
possible cancer risks through questionnaires and additional telephone
interviews. The statistical analysis was based on answers from 209
cases and 425 controls. Some of the other risks examined in this study
included exposure to radiation, electromagnetic fields or video
displays, exposure to various chemical agents including pesticides,
exposure to the sweetener aspartame, and risk by occupation. The study
was supported by grants from Cancer-och Allergifonden, the Swedish
Medical Research Council and Orebro Cancer Fund.

Dr. George D. Lundberg, Editor-in-Chief of MedGenMed and its parent
company, Medscape, Inc., said of the article, "The study reaffirms that
this issue requires further investigation, in spite of recent reports
downplaying the association between cell phone use and brain tumors,
and the lower-power output associated with newer digital phones. With
the proliferation of cell phones-- and the fact that many older
higher-power output phones are still in use-- it is important to
adequately assess the risks in larger, ongoing studies."

Authors of the report are Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Department of
Oncology, Orebro Medical Center;
Asa Näsman, MSc, Department of Oncology, Orebro Medical Center;
Anneli Pahlson, MD, Department of Neurology, Orebro Medical Center;
and Arne Hallquist, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, Karolinska
Institute and Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden.
Journalists may reach Dr. Hardell at: phone + 46 19 602 15 46,
fax + 46 19 10 17 68, e-mail: lennart.hardell@....

MedGenMed is published within medscape.com (www.medscape.com),
a leading provider of authoritative health and medical information on
the Internet since 1995 that is operated by Medscape, Inc.
(NASDAQ NM:MSCP). Articles are submitted, peer-reviewed, edited and
then published exclusively online free of charge. They become available
to a virtually unlimited, broad-based audience of physicians, other
healthcare professionals, patients, consumers, policymakers and the news
media. Because the Internet does not limit MedGenMed to a set weekly,
monthly or quarterly publishing schedule, Medscape maximizes the speed
of delivery by reducing lengthy print cycles while upholding the highest
standards of quality.

Guiding the editorial content of both MedGenMed and medscape.com is a
staff led by Lundberg, former Editor of the Journal of the American
Medical Association for 17 years. Dr. Lundberg has attracted a
star-studded editorial board comprising 19 of the world's leading
physicians, clinicians, medical experts, academicians and ethicists.
In June of last year, MedGenMed advanced online medical history by
posting an original, authoritative peer-reviewed report only 39 days
after it was submitted, compared to the 6 to 24 months of review
normally required by traditional print general medical journals.

http://www.medscape.com/MedGenMed/braintumors
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408055

CONTENTS
Abstract & Introduction
Materials and Methods
Assessment of Exposure
Statistical Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Results
In total, 270 cases that fulfilled these inclusion criteria were
included. Of these, 37 patients were judged by their physicians not
to be able to participate. Thus, 233 cases and 466 controls remained
in the study. The questionnaire was answered by 217 cases and 439
controls. When scrutinizing medical reports, we discovered that
8 cases had recurrent brain tumors. These cases were excluded from
further analysis together with their 14 responding matched controls.
Thus, the analysis encompassed 209 cases (90%) and 425 controls (91%).
The mean age of both cases and controls was 50 years
(range, 21-80 years).

As displayed previously.[6] histopathologic reports were obtained for
197 patients, 136 with malignant and 62 with benign tumors (1 case had
2 benign tumors: ependymoma and acoustic neurinoma). Anatomic tumor
localization was assessed for 198 patients: 99 with tumor in the right
side of the brain, 78 in the left side of the brain, and 21 with no
applicable side (eg, central tumor). The analysis of mobile
telephone use and the risk for brain tumor according to anatomic
localization was based on these 198 cases with corresponding controls.
The whole material of 209 cases and 425 controls was used in the other
calculations. The results are presented for all cases with either benign
or malignant tumors.

Occupation
Occupation as a risk factor was analyzed (Table 1). For physicians, an
OR of 6.00 (95% CI, 0.62-57.7) was obtained. All 3 case patients had
worked with x-ray investigations for some period, with tumor induction
(latency) periods of 20, 28, and 31 years (Table 2). On the contrary,
the only control subject who was a physician had never worked with
x-ray investigations.

Overall, work at a radiology department yielded an OR of 1.89
(95% CI, 0.61-5.89). Excluding the 3 physicians, the 4 cases and
6 controls with other job titles in radiology yielded an OR of 1.24
(95% CI, 0.35-4.43). No increased risk was found for other occupational
categories in health services. These job titles were included among
nurses or nurse assistants in Table 1.

Electronics, telecommunication, or electrical work did not increase the
risk for brain tumors. No subject had worked as a railway engine driver.

For laboratory work, an OR of 3.21 (95% CI, 1.16-8.85) was obtained.
Also, work in the chemical industry yielded an increased risk
(OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.25-13.4).

Radiotherapy
Eight cases and 11 controls reported previous radiotherapy for benign or
malignant disease, yielding an OR of 1.58 (95% CI, 0.60-4.16). If only
the head and neck region was considered, an OR of 3.61
(95% CI, 0.65-19.9) was obtained (4 cases, 2 controls).

Medical Diagnostic X-ray Investigations
Overall, no increased risk for brain tumors was found for medical
diagnostic x-ray investigations. However, if previous x-ray
investigations of the head and neck region were considered, an OR of
1.64 (95% CI, 1.04-2.58) was obtained. Using a tumor induction period
of 5 years or more, the risk increased further to an OR of
2.10 (95% CI, 1.25-3.53) based on 36 exposed cases and 37 exposed
controls. For the 13 cases with meningioma, an OR of 5.03
(95% CI, 1.60-15.8) was obtained with the 5-year or more induction
period.

Agents
In Table 3, exposure to different agents is presented. No association
was found for exposure to asbestos, pesticides, organic solvents,
smoking, or a video display unit.
For low-calorie drinks taken as aspartame exposure, an OR of 1.24
(95% CI, 0.72-2.14) was found. The risk was further increased for
malignant tumors, with an OR of 2.66 (95% CI, 1.01-7.04) in the
highest-exposure group.

Cellular Telephones
Table 4 gives the results for use of cellular phones. Increased risk was
only found for cases with tumors in the temporal, temporoparietal, or
occipital lobe and ipsilateral use of a mobile phone (OR, 2.42;
95% CI, 0.97-6.05). This result was based on 13 exposed cases, 10 with
malignant and 3 with benign tumors.[6] Nine cases were exposed to NMT
only, 3 to both NMT and GSM and 1 to GSM only.

For contralateral use, no increased risk was found. Only a few subjects
reported both ipsilateral and contralateral use of a cellular telephone.

Multivariate Analysis
Exposure to cellular phones for subjects with brain tumors in the
temporal, occipital, or temporoparietal anatomic areas and other
exposures with significantly increased risk were included in a
multivariate analysis. Work in the chemical industry was not included,
since only 1 case with tumor in these lobes and no controls were
exposed. Significantly increased risk was found for subjects with
ipsilateral exposure to microwaves from a mobile phone
(OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.02-6.71; Table 5). For laboratory work and medical
diagnostic x-ray investigations of the head or neck, a nonsignificantly
increased risk was calculated in the multivariate analysis. Similar
results were found in the multivariate analysis as in univariate
analyses for use of cellular telephone and the risk for brain tumor in
other anatomic areas of the brain.

Discussion
The purpose of this investigation was not disclosed to the study
subjects. A questionnaire, which assessed different occupational and
leisure time exposures, was used to minimize recall bias. All telephone
interviews and coding of the data were made blinded to case or control
status to reduce observational bias. Only living patients who were
judged to be able to respond to the questionnaire were included to
obtain as high-quality data as possible. During the study period, use
of mobile telephones was not often discussed in the media as a risk
factor for brain tumors.

Thirty-seven patients were excluded because their physicians deemed them
ineligible. This might have introduced observational bias in the study
if a risk factor is related to the prognosis of the disease for those
too ill to participate. However, there are no data in the literature
indicating that this is the situation.

Information on radiology work was obtained by the lifetime occupational
history. The physicians were interviewed about type of work. Two of 3
cases had worked for only a short period at a radiology department.
However, both reported work with fluoroscopy, and the dosimeter of the
female case patient showed "always maximal exposure." The third case
had worked as an anesthesiologist at radiology departments for about
30% of his working time. Thereby, he had participated during
angiographies and heart catheterizations of patients. For other
occupational categories at radiology departments, no increased risk
was found.

In addition, radiotherapy of the head and neck region was associated
with an increased risk for brain tumors, which is in accordance with
previous studies.[8-10] Meningioma has been reported to be the most
common tumor associated with radiation,[1,2] and 3 of the 4 cases that
had been treated with radiotherapy had meningioma in our study.

Medical x-ray investigation of the head and neck region increased the
risk, which is in accordance with other results, although the
association is somewhat more controversial than for high-dose
radiation.[1] Of the patients who reported medical diagnostic x-ray
investigations of the head and neck, 36% had meningioma compared with
23% of all cases in this study. The questionnaire data did not allow
us to study any dose-response effect, and the reported investigations
were not qualified by use of information in patient records. We tried
to get information on dental x-ray examinations, but almost all subjects
were exposed, and the number of x-ray examinations was difficult to
assess, thus making statistical analysis not meaningful.

In a register study linking census data on occupation with the Swedish
Cancer Registry, we did not find an increased risk for brain tumors
among physicians.[11] However, we had no data on different specialists,
so radiology work could not be studied separately. Ionizing radiation is
an established risk factor for brain tumors, as reviewed by
Finkelstein[3] and others.[1] Clearly, the report by Finkelstein,[3]
other studies,[1] and our results indicate that radiology work,
especially fluoroscopy, may be a health hazard and increase the risk
or brain tumors. The brain is a part of the body that usually is not
shielded during fluoroscopy. Current findings indicate that
radiation protection of the head is warranted as precautionary avoidance
of exposure but also that further studies to confirm the findings are
necessary. Furthermore, studies of dose-response effects should be
performed in larger investigations. Also, theoretical calculations of
the risk based on dosimeter data on exposure to the brain during
fluoroscopy are warranted.

Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields has been
suggested to increase the risk for brain tumors. However, in our
overview of studies on that topic, we concluded that no consistent
association could be found.[12] In the present investigation, no
association was found with occupations with potential exposure to
electromagnetic fields, such as electrician, electronics work, lineman,
or telecommunications work. Nor did use of a video display unit
increase the risk.

Some studies have suggested an association with exposure to certain
pesticides.[1,13] This was not found in this study. Regarding aspartame,
it is difficult to assess total exposure, since it occurs in different
types of food, such as beverages, ice cream, cakes, and sweets. However,
the highest per capita exposure is from low-calorie drinks, with an
estimate of 45% in a Norwegian study.[5] Thus, we assessed only intake
of such beverages. For malignant brain tumors, an increased risk was
found in the highest-exposure group. This was based on low numbers and
must be interpreted with caution. Also, the cutoff dose for dividing
the number of exposed controls into 2 groups with equal number was low
(6864 centiliters) indicating possible underreporting of intake of
low-calorie drinks. However, the mean age of cases and controls was
50 years, and consumption of low-calorie drinks is clearly a more
common habit in young subjects. No increased risk was found in a US
study on childhood brain tumor and aspartame consumption.[14]

During a mobile phone call, depending on the antenna, highest exposure
occurs in the temporal, occipital, and temporoparietal lobes on the same
side of the head used for the call. There is a rapid decline of the
microwave dose in the brain, and the other side of the brain is only
exposed to a low degree. An increased risk for brain tumors in the
anatomic areas with highest exposure to microwaves from a cellular
telephone has previously been reported from this investigation.[6]
In that report, we displayed the results for each hemisphere separately.

We have now combined the areas with highest exposure (temporal,
occipital, and temporoparietal lobes), the remaining lobes with low
exposure (frontal, parietal frontoparietal, and parieto-occipital),
and also each hemisphere irrespective of left or right side of the
brain. The OR was calculated for ipsilateral, contralateral, or both
ipsilateral and contralateral (both sides reported by some subjects)
exposure to microwaves from a mobile telephone. An increased risk was
only found for ipsilateral exposure in the anatomic area with the
highest microwave dose. In a multivariate analysis including other
exposures with significantly increased risk, this result was
further strengthened.

Obviously, this result was based on low number of exposed subjects and
must be interpreted with caution. However, the finding might be of
biological relevance. Since patients do not usually have exact
information of the anatomic area (lobe) of the tumor, recall bias is
less likely to explain the results. All but 1 of these 13 patients had
used the NMT system (analogue), and it should be noted that analogue
telephones have at least a 3 times higher output power than digital
telephones. In the 1980s, only the analogue system was used, and the
digital system was introduced in the Swedish market in early 1990s;
thus, tumor induction period might also be relevant. Because of the
low numbers, it was not meaningful to calculate ORs according to tumor
induction time or cumulative exposure in hours for high-exposure area
of the brain. Other parts of the brain were also included in
multivariate analysis, but the results were similar to the univariate
analysis.

Acknowledgments
This study was supported by grants from Cancer- ch Allergifonden, the
Swedish Medical Research Council, and Orebro Cancer Fund.
Ms Irčne Larsson and MsLena Akerlund participated in the data
collection. Professor Kjell Hansson Mild gave advice on technical
aspects of the use of cellular telephones.

References
1.Preston-Martin S, Mack WJ. Neoplasms of the nervous system.
In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF Jr. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention.
Oxford, England: Oxford University Press; 1996: 1231-1281.
2.Soffer, D, Gomori JM, Siegal T, et al. Intracranial meningiomas after
high-dose radiation. Cancer. 1989; 63: 1514-1519.
3.Finkelstein MM. Is brain cancer an occupational disease of
cardiologists? Can J Cardiol. 1998; 14: 1385-1388.
4.Olney JW, Farber NB, Spitznagel E, Robins LN.
Increasing brain tumor rates: is there a link to aspartame?:
J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1996; 55: 1115-1123.
5.Bergsten C. Inntak av kunstige sotstoffer acesulfam K, aspartam,
cyklamat och sakkarin [in Norwegian].
Statens naeringsmiddeltillsyn. 1998; 4: 1-89.
Hardell L, Nasman A, Pahlson A, Hallquist A, Hansson Mild K. Use of
cellular telephones and the risk for brain tumours:
a case-control study. Int J Oncol. 1999; 15: 113-116.
6.Hardell L, Nasman A, Pahlson A, Hallquist A, Hansson Mild K.
Use of cellular telephones and the risk for brain tumours: a
case-control study. Int J Oncol. 1999; 15: 113-116.
7.Cardis E, Kilkenny M, for the International Study Group.
International case-control study of adult brain, head and neck tumours:
results of the feasibility study.
Radiat Protection Dosimetry. 1999; 83: 179-183.
8.Ron E, Modan B, Boice JD Jr, et al. Tumors of the brain and nervous
system after radiotherapy in childhood.
N Engl J Med. 1988; 319: 1033-1039.
9.Shore RE, Albert RE, Pasternack BS. Follow-up study of patients
treated by x-ray epitalation of tinea capitis: resurvey of
post-treatment illness and mortality experience.
Arch Environ Health. 1976; 31: 21-28.
10.Colman M, Kirsch M, Creditor M. Tumors associated with medical x-ray
therapy exposure in childhood. In: Late Biological Effects of Ionizing
Radiation. Vol 1. Vienna, Austria:
IAEA(International Atomic Energy Agency); 1978: 167-180.
11.Eriksson M, Hardell L, Malker H, Weiner J. Increased cancer incidence
in physicians, dentists, and health care workers.
Oncol Rep. 1998; 5: 1413-1418.
12.Hardell L, Holmberg B, Malker H, Paulsson L-E. Exposure to extremely
low frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of malignant
diseases: an evaluation of epidemiological and experimental findings.
Eur J Cancer Prev. 1995; 4(suppl): 3-107.
13.Musicco M, Sant M, Molinari S, et al. A case-control study of brain
gliomas and occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens:
case-control study. Am J Epidemiol. 1982; 116:782-790.
14.Gurney JG, Pogoda JM, Holly EA, Hecht SS, Preston-Martin S.
Aspartame consumption in relation to childhood brain tumor risk:
results from a case-control study.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 1997; 89: 1072-1074.
************************************************************************

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/932
aspartame: methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid toxicity:
brief review: Murray 1.7.3 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
for 943 posts in a public searchable archive

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/304
aspartame & brain cancer: Roberts 1991: Murray 9.15.0 rmforall
http://www.dorway.com/betty/brainc.txt
Journal of Advancement in Medicine Winter 1991; 4(4): 231-241.
Does aspartame cause human brain cancer?
H.J. Roberts, M.D. <HJRobertsMD@...>

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/910
formaldehyde & formic acid from methanol in aspartame:
Murray: 12.9.2 rmforall

It is certain that high levels of aspartame use, above 2 liters daily
for months and years, must lead to chronic formaldehyde-formic acid
toxicity, since 11% of aspartame (1,120 mg in 2L diet soda, 5.6 12-oz
cans) is 123 mg methanol (wood alcohol), immediately released into the
body after drinking (unlike the large levels of methanol locked up in
molecules inside many fruits), then quickly transformed into
formaldehyde, which in turn becomes formic acid, both of which in
time become carbon dioxide and water-- however, about 30% of the
methanol remains in the body as cumulative durable toxic metabolites of
formaldehyde and formic acid-- 37 mg daily, a gram every month.
If 10% of the methanol is retained as formaldehyde, that would give 12
mg daily formaldehyde accumulation, about 60 times more than the 0.2 mg
from 10% retention of the 2 mg EPA daily limit for formaldehyde in
drinking water.

Bear in mind that the EPA limit for formaldehyde in
drinking water is 1 ppm,
or 2 mg daily for a typical daily consumption of 2 L of water.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/835
RTM: ATSDR: EPA limit 1 ppm formaldehyde in drinking water July 1999
5.30.2 rmforall

This long-term low-level chronic toxic exposure leads to typical
patterns of increasingly severe complex symptoms, starting with
headache, fatigue, joint pain, irritability, memory loss, and leading to
vision and eye problems and even seizures. In many cases there is
addiction. Probably there are immune system disorders, with a
hypersensitivity to these toxins and other chemicals.

Confirming evidence and a general theory are given by Pall (2002):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/909
testable theory of MCS type diseases, vicious cycle of nitric oxide &
peroxynitrite: MSG: formaldehyde-methanol-aspartame:
Martin L. Pall: Murray: 12.9.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/915
formaldehyde toxicity: Thrasher & Kilburn: Shaham: EPA: Gold: Murray:
Wilson: CIIN: 12.12.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/934
24 recent formaldehyde toxicity [Comet assay] reports:
Murray 12.31.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/935
comet assay finds DNA damage from sucralose, cyclamate, saccharin in
mice: Sasaki YF & Tsuda S Aug 2002: Murray 1.1.3 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/939
aspartame (aspartic acid, phenylalanine) binding to DNA: Karikas July
1998: Murray 1.5.3 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/925
aspartame puts formaldehyde adducts into tissues, Part 1/2
full text, Trocho & Alemany 6.26.98: Murray 12.22.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/926
aspartame puts formaldehyde adducts into tissues, Part 2/2
full text, Trocho & Alemany 6.26.98: Murray 12.22.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/938
aspartame harms mice brain cells: Hetle & Eltervaag: 2001 thesis
abstract: Sonnewald 1995 study, full text: Murray 1.5.3 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/97
Lancet website aspartame letter 7.29.99:
Excitotoxins 1999 Part 1/3 Blaylock: Murray 1.14.0 rmforall
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