Micro Site
The radiation levels in cell phones, known as radio frequency (RF) radiation, are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC, other US government agencies, and peer-reviewed studies consider the radiation from cell phones to have no adverse health effects. However, an accumulating amount of scientific research suggests that cell phone use may cause cancer, disrupt pacemakers, decrease fertility, damage DNA, and increase the risk of traffic accidents. In 2008, the $148.1 billion wireless industry had over 270 million subscribers in the US (87% of the population) who used over 2.2 trillion minutes of call time. Read more...
Pro & Con Arguments: "Are cell phones safe?" PRO Cell Phones 1. According to some studies, the use of a cell phone can slightly decrease the risk of
developing the brain tumors glioma and meningioma. [1]
2. Cell phone radiation, like radio, TV, and visible light radiation, is non-ionizing and
cannot cause cancer. Ionizing radiation, including x-rays and ultraviolet light, produces molecules called ions that have either too many or too few electrons. Ions are known to damage DNA and cause cancer. Cell phone radiation lacks sufficient energy to add or remove electrons from molecules, and therefore it cannot ionize and cause cancer. [2]
3. Cell phone radiation levels are tested and certified by the manufacturer to meet the
safe levels established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Random tests of phones on the market by FCC scientists further ensure that radiation levels meet FCC guidelines. [3]
4. Cell phones do not cause cancer or other health problems. The Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), US Government Accountability Office (GAO), and numerous other agencies have concluded that there is no evidence in the scientific literature proving that cell phones cause brain tumors or other health problems. [4] [5]
5. If cell phones were causing cancer we could expect a rise in the rate of brain and
other related cancers. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, there has been no increase in the incidence of brain or other nervous system cancers between the years 1987 and 2005 despite the fact that cell phone use has dramatically increased during those same years. [6]
6. Many activities that distract drivers are much more dangerous than talking on a
phone. Research shows that cell phone use is a factor in less than 1% of accidents and that adjusting the radio or CD player, talking with passengers, or eating, and drinking while driving are all responsible for more accidents than cell phones. [7] [8]
7. Studies correlating head tumors and cell phone use show inconsistent results, may
have been tainted by recall bias (participants not remembering how often and for how long they have used their cell phones), and have not been replicated. Most studies have not found any association between cell phone use and the development of head tumors. [9]
9. Despite popular belief, it is safe for persons with a pacemaker to use a cell phone.
According to the American Heart Association, the radiofrequency emissions (RF) of cell phones available in the United States do not affect pacemaker functioning during normal use. [11]
Pro & Con Arguments: "Are cell phones safe?" CON Cell Phones 1. Studies have shown an association between cell phone use and the development of
glioma, a type of brain cancer. According to one meta-study there is a "consistent pattern" connecting cell phone use and the increased risk of developing brain cancer.
[12]
2. Many studies have found that long term cell phone use increases the risk of tumors of
the head. According to one Swedish study, the risk of acoustic neuroma (a tumor formation on the nerve near the ear) was greater on the side of the head that the cell phone was held. [13]
3. Using a cell phone while driving, even with a hands-free device, is unsafe and can
make accidents more likely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driving distractions, including the use of cell phones, contribute to 25% of all traffic crashes. [14]
4. The radio frequency (RF) emissions from cell phones have been shown to damage
genetic material in blood cells which is a common precursor to cancer. [15]
6. Children are at an increased risk for adverse health effects from cell phone radiation.
One study has shown that children under the age of eight absorb twice the amount of radiation into their brain tissue as adults due to their lower skull thickness. [17]
7. The radiofrequency radiation from cell phones can damage the DNA in sperm. Cell
phone storage in front pockets has been linked to poor fertility and an increased chance of miscarriage and childhood cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic Center for Reproductive medicine, semen quality "tended to decline as daily cell phone use increased." [18] [19]
8. Long term cell phone use can increase the likelihood of being hospitalized for
migraines and vertigo by 10-20%. [20]
10. Lithium-ion batteries, used in most cell phones, can explode from exposure to high
heat, or from overcharging a faulty counterfeit battery. These explosions have caused injuries and started fires. [22]
2. The radiation emitted by a cell phone can penetrate 4 - 6 cm (1.6 - 2.4 in) into the
human brain (215 KB) . [1] The amount of RF absorbed into the head can be reduced by using a wired ear-piece (not a Bluetooth) rather than placing the phone against the ear.
[24]
(released in 2009 under a Freedom of Information Act request) concluded that using a hands free device (Bluetooth, headset, etc.) does not reduce distraction or make cell phone use safer while driving. As of Sep. 2009, six states had passed laws requiring the use of a hands free device while driving.
[25] by the Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute to faculty and staff to decrease cell phone exposure due to a possible connection between cell phone radiation and brain tumors. The warning prompted a congressional hearing on cell phone use and tumors (19 KB) . [26]
earpiece or speaker phone lowers the amount of radiation absorbed, and text messaging, rather than talking, further lowers that amount. The FDA and the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry (CTIA) signed a research agreement in 2000 to further investigate the health effects of cell phones. They concluded that "no association was found between exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation from cell phones and adverse health effects." The safety concerns over cell phone radiation continued into 2001 when the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) was commissioned by Senators Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) to compile a report on the safety of cell phones. The final GAO report, "Research and Regulatory Efforts on Mobile Phone Health Issues (2.5 MB) ," [5] issued in May of 2001 concluded that there is no scientific evidence proving that cell phone radiation has any "adverse health effects" but that more research on the topic was needed. Six states have taken legislative action to lessen the possible safety hazards of talking on a cell phone while driving. New York (96 KB) [28] was first in 2001. Five other states (Connecticut [2005] (66 KB) [29], California [2007] (146 KB) [30], New Jersey [2007] (12 KB) [31], Washington [2007] (112 KB) [32] and Oregon [2009] (27 KB) [33]) have since passed laws prohibiting drivers from talking on handheld cell phones. In July of 2008 Dr. Ronald Herberman, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, issued a warning to hospital faculty and staff (1 MB) [25] to decrease direct cell phone exposure to the head and body due to a possible connection between cell phone radiation and brain tumors. Due to this warning, the House Subcommittee on Domestic Policy held a hearing on the possible link between cell phone use and tumors (19 KB) [26] in Sep. 2008 to learn more about the possible risks. In 2008, the $148.1 billion wireless industry had over 270 million (70 KB) [34] subscribers in the US (87% of the population) who used over 2.2 trillion minutes (142 KB) [35] of call time. In 2009, the debate surrounding the safety of cell phone use while driving was re-ignited when a Freedom of Information Act request, filed by the Center for Auto Safety and Public Citizen, revealed a 2002 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (8 MB) [24] that concluded that using a hands free device does not lessen "cognitive distraction" or make cell phone use safer while driving. The report had not been previously released. On May 17, 2010, the results of the 13 country, 10 year, $25 million INTERPHONE study (3 KB) [36] (the largest ever to date) found that using a cell phone may or may not increase a persons risk of developing brain tumors. On June 22, 2010, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 to make the city the nations first to require that retailers post cellphone radiation levels prominently in their stores.
[23]