The Quick Facts: Cell phone safety has come into question lately as a handful of scientists have surfaced with new studies that may link cell phone use to cancer. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute say there is no cause for alarm. The scientific community agrees that there is a need for additional research. While waiting for a definitive answer on whether cell phone use harms human health, there are several things you can do to reduce any potential risk.
Recently, a prominent cancer researcher warned his staff to limit their cell phone use because of a possible cancer link. In that warning, Dr. Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, reported that there is a growing body of evidence that links long-term cell phone use to adverse health effects, including cancer.
When I heard of this warning, I recited my mantra, “Be cautiously aware.” After unwinding from my lotus pose, I hit my laptop and researched the issue. The research I found does not bring me back to my happy place. Turns out that in order for the scientific community to hang their lab coat on a conclusion either way, several more years of study are needed. This is because brain tumors are notorious for taking their sweet time to grow and wireless cell phone use is a relatively new technology.
Radio Frequency (RF) Energy: A Cause for Concern
The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides the following passage that explains how cell phones work:
- Cell phones operate with radio frequencies a form of energy located on the electromagnetic spectrum between FM radio and the waves used in microwave ovens, radar and satellite stations. Cell phones do not emit ionizing radiation, the type that damages DNA and is known to have the ability to cause cancer.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) further explains that radio frequency (RF) energy emits heat that has been shown to increase body temperature and could be a potential source of harm if the heat is significant enough. Conflicting studies abound over how much of this heat is enough to do harm.
What is known, or at least generally accepted, is that exposure to RF radiation is of a concern in cell phones because the phone is pressed up close to the head and the radiation is being absorbed into the soft tissue. The amount of exposure drastically decreases with the greater distance between the head and the phone.
Additionally, the amount of RF energy emitted by the cell phone is related to how strong of a signal the phone receives from the nearest cell tower. In essence, the harder the phone works to find a signal, the more RF energy it emits and the more risk to the cell phone user.
Conflicting Reports
Past studies, many funded by the wireless industry, have shown no link to cell phone use and the formation of brain tumors. However, these studies were conducted in the late 1990’s when wireless phone use was relatively low. According to the International Association for Wireless Telecommunications Industry, wireless phone subscribers jumped from 33 million in 1995 to 255 million in 2007. Currently, about 15% of U.S. households operate like mine and are “wireless only” homes.
Two studies conducted in 2006 and 2007 have shown that there may be cause for concern among frequent cell phone users. One study carried out by Dr. Siegal Sadetzkian and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that frequent cell phone users face a 50% greater risk of developing tumors of the parotid gland than those who don’t use cell phones. A Swedish study published in 2007 points to a heightened risk of brain cancer in those using a cell phone for a period of over 10 years,
On their website ACS notes that neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program nor the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) have evaluated the cancer-causing potential of cell phone use. Despite, the admitted lack of research and, in contradiction to some of these more recent studies both ACS and the NCI support the position that there is no proof that cell phone use may pose a cancer risk.
A large international study sponsored by the IARC is expected to be completed within two years, and it is hoped that study will shed more light on whether cell phone use causes harm to human health. Without hearing the final outcome, some critics of IARC are already claiming the organization is overly influenced by the telecommunications industry.
Precautionary Actions You Can Take Now
For me, two years seems like a long time to wait for some concrete answers about a potentially fatal danger. Dr. Herberman along with ACS, NCI and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) all offer cell phone consumers some tips to reducing RF energy exposure:
- Buy a phone that emits low radiation. This is indicated by the specific absorption rate (SAR level). The FCC maintains a list of cellular phones and their respective SAR levels and has set a maximum limit for the public at 1.6.
- Keep conversations on cell phones short.
- Don’t talk when the signal is weak.
- Wear a corded earpiece. A wireless headset, while emitting less RF energy, still emits a small amount. Corded headsets emit almost nothing.
- Do not let your small children talk on your cell phone. Since they are still developing any probable damage is magnified.
Following the above recommendations set out by Dr. Herberman and at least 20 other organizations will be pretty easy for my family. Using a wired headset and my speakerphone function won’t spoil the convenience of a cellular phone. And, honestly I don’t mind having a reason based in science to keep my children from wanting a cell phone of their own. Knowing that I am keeping my family safe from yet another cancer risk will clear my mind and allow me to meditate in my happy place—that is—after I arrange for a landline.
Information used in this article was found at the following sources, which you can visit if you want to find out more about this topic:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones (National Cancer Institute offers an in-depth explanation on Radiofrequency (RF) energy and discusses conflicting findings of several studies)
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Cellular_Phones.asp (American Cancer Society provides information on conflicting studies as well as background on RF energy and tips to reduce your exposure)
http://www.ctia.org/advocacy/research/index.cfm/AID/10323 (CTIA-The Wireless Association®, is an international nonprofit membership organization founded in 1984, representing all sectors of wireless communications ≠ cellular, personal communication services and enhanced specialized mobile radio)
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/sar/ (Federal Communications Commission has adopted limits for safe exposure to radiofrequency (RF) energy. These limits are given in terms of a unit referred to as the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). The link is a listing of the SAR for all legally sold cell phones in the U.S.)
http://www.iarc.fr/en/Research-Groups/Clusters-Groups/Biostatistics-and-Epidemiology-Cluster/Radiation-Group/The-INTERPHONE-Study (IARC’s goal is the identification of causes of cancer, so that preventive measures may be adopted against them. The Interphone study is a cooperative effort between 14 countries to try and assess whether RF exposure form mobile telephones is associated with a cancer risk)
