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Are cell phones carcinogenic? In a word, maybe.
The evidence from most studies is inconclusive due to a variety of confounding variables and the constantly changing nature of technology. But considering that approximately 96 percent of American undergraduates own a cell phone, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project 2010 tracking survey, such a link would have great repercussions for college students. The risk potential arises primarily from holding the cell phone up to the ear, since the device emits radio waves when sending out a signal to connect with a base tower. Some of these electromagnetic radiation waves may then be absorbed by human tissue in close proximity.
Numerous studies have been conducted to test the link between talking on the cell phone and the increased likelihood of brain tumors, one of the latest being a preliminary study published in “The Journal of the American Medical Association” this year that linked increased levels of glucose metabolism in the brain with talking on the cell phone. However, researchers noted that this cell phone usage effect does not necessarily have adverse health consequences for users.
For now, the World Health Organization tentatively categorizes cell phones as being “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” though the severity of this categorization is diminished simply by the fact that the classification also includes coffee and gasoline fumes. Further evidence that counteracts the claim that radiation from cell phones causes significant brain damage comes from a Danish study released in October 2011, which studied 350,000 people. The research, published in the medical journal “BMJ,” found that users of cell phones did not exhibit higher brain cancer rates than non-users.
“If there is an effect it must be very small, because if it was a large effect it would have shown up in a study like that,” said Rolf Christoffersen, UCSB associate professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, in reference to the study.
Despite the conflicting perspectives and research, the possible adverse effects of cell phones may prompt reflection upon how indispensable cell phones have become to the contemporary lifestyle for many people. Students in particular are avid cell phones users, many virtually inseparable from these little gadgets and their handy apps. In fact, in a huge lecture hall it is almost a guarantee that at least one student may be texting away at any given moment, eyes glued to the bright little smart phone screens.
“I am super reliant on technology now that I have my iPhone,” Miya Sommers, a second-year global studies and cultural anthropology double major, said. “I use that to check my email; I text a lot; I use it for scheduling; I surf the web with it; I do everything with this phone so it has kind of become part of my life.”
Despite actively using the technology, many students still appear to not be fazed by the possibilities of cell phones causing cancer.
“I am not worried that my phone is secretly killing me,” Gabriel Trejo, a third-year sociology major, said. “Studies have no effect on my perception because they are inconclusive.”
“I don’t really think it’s a big issue unless you talk on your cell phone excessively, and by excessively I mean maybe more than three hours a day,” Shayane Santiago, a second-year biology major, said. “More research can be done, but I don’t really think that is a huge issue. There are a lot of other things to be concerned about.”
For now it seems that there is no need to panic about the cell phone cancer risk, although the studies in question could be predecessors to conclusive medical discoveries in the near future. Such research also inspires reflection upon the role of technology in the modern lifestyle, and questions if people are dependent enough on it to possibly compromise their health.
Sure, Believe what want and what is comfortable and what continues to depopulate the planet but the information is now overwhelming and irrefutable:
Mobile phones could be ‘health time bomb’
Times of India
PTI | Nov 9, 2011, 02.44PM IST The debate over whether mobile phones could cause cancer has been raging for years. Now, a group of leading scientists in Britain claims that cell phones could be a “health time bomb”. LONDON: The debate over whether …
See all stories on this topic »
There is no need to panic despite the considerable evidence that cell phone radiation is harmful to your head and your reproductive organs as you can adopt simple measures to reduce potential harm.
The Danish Cohort Study may be the largest study done to date, but it has so many weaknesses, the results are not at all informative. A good expose is available at http://bit.ly/vuzUiW. Or read the responses to the original paper at http://bit.ly/oGwFsF.
In our review of the research, we found this study so problematic that we dismissed it. We found that the higher quality studies displayed a significant association between mobile phone use and brain tumor risk, especially on the side of the head where the phone was used and after 10 years of phone use ( http://bit.ly/u3b8VN ).
A dozen nations and the European Union have issued precautionary warnings about the need to reduce cell phone radiation exposure. Recommendations often include hands-free use among adults and limited use among children. In the U.S., the cities of San Francisco, Burlingame and Berkeley have recently adopted precautionary warnings.
Check out the fine print warnings that cell phone manufacturers don’t want you to see at http://bit.ly/grgtny. Here’s an interesting one for the BlackBerry Torch: “Use the Blackberry device in areas where there is a strong wireless signal … Use hands-free operation if it is available and keep the Blackberry device at least 0.98 in. (25 mm) from your body (including the abdomen of pregnant women and the lower abdomen of teenagers) when the Blackberry device is turned on and connected to the wireless network. For more information about carrying your Blackberry device, see the holster information … Reduce the amount of time spent on calls.”
For more information about our research see a recent Q&A I did (http://huff.to/lAm23M).
URGENT action is needed to curb children’s use of mobile phones because of fears they can cause cancer and a host of other illnesses, experts said.
Virtual Assistant from India for £299 pm,
If the allegations of cell phone being carcinogenic are indeed a truth, people would have every right to sue cell phone manufacturing companies for products liability. A lot may not have not know this and this may be the common factor between a lot of cancer cases all over the world.
PLEASE ATTORNEY! CONTACT ME! I have THYROID CANCER AFTER 10 YEARS OF BUSINESS CELL PHONE USE – I am 39 YEARS OLD AND I WANT TO SUE THE MANUFACTURERS AND THE CELL PHONE COMPANIES!
Very interesting. Cell phones do everything nowadays. Can you believe they even have free cell own charging stations at some restaurants/bars? I saw it on http://buychargeall.com
This gives us all something to think about. I have been hearing about this issue for years and sometimes it makes me think, but overall I cannot live without my trusty cell phone and there are so many other things in our environment we take into our bodies which are damaging…
How about a little people to people & face to face interaction instead of being glued at the ear to the cell. Go for a walk with nature, have a picnic, look someone in the eye and SMILE without multi-tasking on the phone. Seriously, how good can they really be … 10 minutes and the phone is heated up and my ear’s on fire? Put it down, shut it off and go enjoy some quality time.
I agree that it would be great to have more face time. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, we are often dependent on technology. I don’t think I could function without my cell. It tends to be my life line. As long as I can stay in touch with my loved ones, I am good.
@ValetTrash I could not live without cell phones, and much as I show it really is carcinogenic, it would continue to use, by necessity. I firmly believe that the solution is not let to use, but use radiation protection
Its seems that every teenager has a phone glued to their ear, or more likely sending endless (pointless) text messages. Im not a teenager, but I would be unable to run any part of my life or business without a phone. We constantly have radiowaves around us all the time. Even if you reduce the amount of time you spend on a cell phone there will still be some effect upon us. Let us see in 50 years time what the effect on teenagers will be. This might be a similar case to asbestos, the consequences of exposure only appear many years, maybe decades later!