Are Cell Phones the New Cigarette?

There is still a great deal of controversy surrounding the role of cell phones in cancer development. The cell phone industry insists that cell phones are safe, and conflicting scientific evidence hardly refutes their claim. Only time will tell if the cell phone is the new cigarette. So, what does the research tell us?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there is no scientific evidence linking negative health effects, such as brain cancer, to cell phone use. ¹ The primary concerns are the biological changes that may be caused by prolonged exposure to the electromagnetic radiation radiated by cell phones. In the U.S. cell phones operate in a frequency ranging from about 850 to 1900 MHz, and in this range the radiation produced is in the form of non-ionizing radiofrequency (RF) energy². This RF energy is different than the ionizing radiation generated by medical or dental x-rays, which does produce a health risk.

A long-term study by Danish researcher, Joachim Schuz, PhD, of the Danish Cancer Society, confirms the FDA’s findings. Dr. Schuz tracked cancers among cell phone users for a 21-year period and found “no rise in cancer among people who’ve used cell phones.”³ Specifically, the study included over 420,000 Danes who acquired their first cell phone between 1982 and 1995. The result of the study showed “no increase in brain cancer, leukemia, or tumors of the eyes or salivary glands among cell phone users.”⁴ So, why the concern?

According to the FDA, at high enough levels, RF energy can be harmful due to its ability to heat tissue to the point of causing biological damage.⁵ In a microwave oven, RF energy is used to cook food, but the RF heat generated by cell phones is very small in comparison. The cell phone’s main source of RF energy comes from its antenna, so the closer the antenna is to the user’s head, the greater the person’s expected exposure to RF energy.⁶ Controversy remains because of conflicting research results.

In a four-year European Union-funded Reflex study, the German research group, Verum, studied the effects of radiation on animal and human cells in the laboratory. The study found

“after being exposed to electromagnetic fields, the cells showed a significant increase in DNA damage which could not always be repaired by the cell. Damage was also seen in the next generation of cells. Mutated cells are seen as a possible cause of cancer.”⁷

However, Dr. Zenon Sienkiewicz of the National Radiological Protection Board, says, “[t]his research is no reason for people to be worried.”⁸ Although other studies have suggested cell phone radiation may be harmful, “no study that could be independently repeated has proved that radiation had permanent harmful effects.”⁹ Dr. Sienkiewicz agrees, stating, “The bottom line is that more research looking at whether mobile phones do have a measurable effect on health is needed.”¹⁰ What does this mean?

Although the lack of significant scientific evidence suggests there is no danger of developing brain cancer from cell phone use, there still appears to be cause of concern. The FDA suggests for those who are concerned can take steps to limit or eliminate their exposure to RF energy. First, one should limit cell phone use to only essential calls or for shorter conversations when a conventional phone is unavailable. Second since RF energy breaks down the further its removed, one could use a hands-free device to move the antenna further away from the body ¹¹

So, are cell phones the new cigarette? The answer to that question is unclear because the jury is still out. Absent definitive research conclusions, perhaps the best consumer response is to simply err on the side of caution: Limit cell phone use and utilize a hands-free device whenever possible.

References