Radiation from cellphones is "possibly carcinogenic" to humans, according to an international expert panel organized by the World Health Organization to evaluate the safety of the increasingly ubiquitous electronic devices.

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) panel, which included 31 scientists from 14 countries, reached its conclusion after conducting an exhaustive review of the scientific literature during an eight-day meeting in Lyon, France.

The conclusion marks a shift from the WHO’s position. The agency had previously said there were no risks from cellphone use.

The experts stressed, however, that the evidence of a link remains far from clear and much more research is needed to further explore the possible risk.

"The conclusion means that there could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cellphones and cancer risk," said Jonathan Samet, who chaired the panel.

Full story: Washington Post