Are You at Risk from Cell Phone Radiation?

There is a heated debate raging in consumer magazines and Internet news sources these days about whether or not cell phones emit enough radiation to cause adverse health effects. Many are speculating that dangerous levels of radiation are emitted and pass through the body that may be responsible for causing cancerous brain tumors, raising the frightening specter that cell phone radiation poses a significant health threat for users.

For those uninformed about the basic operation of cell phones, the devices work by emitting signals via radio waves that are comprised of radio frequency (RF) energy. The process by its nature results in the emission of low-level electromagnetic radiation. The concern is that when a cellular telephone is placed close to the head during use, the radiation is placed in direct contact with the tissues of the brain. (Source: HowStuffWorks, "How Cell Phone Radiation Works," June 6, 2009)

According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), measurement of the quantity of radio frequency (RF) energy absorbed by the body when a person is using a cellular telephone is termed specific absorption rate, or SAR. Acceptable SAR level standards in the United States set for cellular phone devices by the FCC is currently a level less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. (Source: CNET's Quick Guide: Cell phone radiation levels, May 26, 2009)

The official position of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is that there in no evidence that cellular phones pose any significant health hazard, citing three large epidemiology studies that have been conducted since 2000. CTIA adds, "The overwhelming majority of studies that have been published in scientific journals around the globe show that wireless phones do not pose a health risk." (Source: "Experts Revive Debate Over Cellphones (sic) and Cancer." June 3, 2008. The New York Times.) Interestingly, however as reported by The New York Times, the FDA and CTIA have recently entered into a cooperative agreement to commission a new epidemiological research study into the safety of mobile phones to be conducted by third party researchers over the next 3 - 5 years that will focus on whether radio frequency emissions pose any health risks to cellular phone users. (Source: "Mobile-Phone Emissions Study Planned." June 9, 2009. The New York Times.)

George Carlo, PhD, JD, an epidemiologist, and medical scientist who headed the first telecommunications industry sanctioned studies into the dangers of cell phone use is the most outspoken and perhaps best known advocate for the opinion that cellular phones do indeed expose users to significant health risks. Risks including genetic damage, brain dysfunction, brain tumors, sleep disorders and recurring headaches. According to Dr. Carlo, the negative health effects of cell phone use occur almost instantaneously. As a result, in his opinion there are no safe amounts of time when they can be used. (Source: "The Hidden Dangers of Cell Phone Radiation." Life Extension Magazine. August 2007.) Those in the telecommunications industry vehemently deny the authenticity of Dr. Carlo's assertions and term him an alarmist, reiterating that there is no scientific evidence to back up his claims.

Faced with two diametrically opposed opinions regarding the safety of cell phone use, it is difficult to know which group is right and which is wrong. Yet the fact remains that we do know cellular phones emit radiation and the only thing at issue is whether or not it is enough to pose a health hazard. Given the utility, convenience and popularity of cellular phones it seems unlikely that people will stop using them unless some compelling scientific evidence surfaces that unequivocally demonstrates that cell phone radiation does pose the significant health hazards that some claim. While the debate may continue, it might be prudent to err on the side of caution and follow some recommendations offered by the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Environmental Oncology aimed at lowering the possible health risks associated with cell phone radiation. Suggestions include using cell phones in the speakerphone mode, with a wired headset with a ferrite bead (a clip you put on the wire of a headset designed to absorb the radiation - inexpensive and available at stores or online) or with a Bluetooth earpiece. Radiation is still present with use of a Bluetooth earpiece but according to experts, it is about 100 times less than the radiation you get when you hold a cell phone to your head. Experts also recommend that cell phones not be carried in pockets or clipped to a belt to minimize exposure to radiation. Since children have thinner skulls and developing brains, many recommend they should use cell phones only in case of emergency. (Source: Cohen, Elizabeth. "5 tips to limit your cell phone risk." 2008. CNN.com.)

Based on my research, thus far, science seems to be on the side of those who claim there is no health hazard associated with cell phone use and putting one to your head is not tantamount to playing Russian Roulette. But as mentioned, given that both the FDA and the telecommunications industry seems to have reason for launching new research to delve further into this issue, I think it might be wise to limit exposure to cell phone radiation as much as possible until the final verdict is in.