How Can Cell Phones Affect Our Health?
From wild rumors of horrible health consequences to assertions of complete safety, the possible hazards of cell phones are a topic of debate. Finding definite scientific proof that risks do or do not exist is difficult. First, cell phones haven't been around long enough to study the long-term effects. Second, people use phones inconsistently -- such as by switching ears, locations and call lengths -- which makes gathering valid, consistent scientific data challenging.
Other People Are Reading
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Concerns
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The potential risks from cell phones, depending on whom you speak to, range from cancer to tumors to radiation sickness. An article by Dan Childs of the ABC News Medical Unit reported that some people believe cell phone use by pregnant women makes their children behave badly later in life and that negative health consequences may result from radiofrequency energy. Childs says that there are some proven health risks associated with cell phones, but those risks actually come from germs that reside on the phones, distracted drivers and walkers using cell phones, repetitive stress injuries to thumbs and fingers form excessive texting, the feeling of "phantom vibrations" from a cell phone that isn't really ringing, allergies to the metals used in the phones -- which can cause contact dermatitis -- and hearing problems from using the cell phone as a music player with the volume too high.
FDA Reports
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The Fedral Drug Administration, or FDA, says that cell phones do emit radiofrequency energy in low levels, but 15 years of scientific study have not shown a correlation between this exposure and any health issues. The FDA released evidence in May of 2010 that showed no health risk from electromagnetic radiation from cell phones. The data also showed no connection between cell phone use and tumors and little to no risk of brain cancer.
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WHO Reports
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The World Health Organization, or WHO, says that, as of May 2010, cell phone use had not been determined to cause any negative health effects. The WHO continues to study long-term risks, and the organization reports the greatest risk from cell phone use to be "road traffic injuries" from drivers using cell phones -- even with hands-free devices -- while on the road. Some people worry that radiofrequency energy and the human body may react in increased tissue temperatures, reports the WHO, but the amounts of energy emitted by a cell phone are so scarce that the effect on tissue temperature is nearly undetectable. Like the FDA, WHO continues to evaluate long-term use, especially the link between cell phones and brain cancer, but because cancers often show up years later and the cell phones are a relatively new phenomenon, studies have not yet shown any link.
CTIA's Position
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CTIA, the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry, says consumers should not worry because impartial research consistently shows no reason for concern. CTIA also reports that the Federal Communications Commission, (FCC) guidelines for safe use have been endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Drug Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. FCC guidelines regulate the radiofrequency fields from cell phones and the FCC reports that all wireless phones currently, as of the time of publication, comply with the regulations.
Safe Use
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Clean your phone regularly with antibacterial wipes. Lower the volume if you use the phone to listen to music. Don't text or talk while walking or driving, even with a hands-free device, because hands-free devices do not eliminate the distraction of carrying on a conversation while trying to pay attention to traffic. Stop texting as much if your hands or thumbs become painful. The FCC recommends, as precautionary measures only, that people reduce cell phone use and increase the distance between the phone and the head by using a headset or speaker mode.
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References
- Bloomberg Businessweek: Why Cell-Phone Health Concerns Persist; Jay Yarow; August 2008
- ABC News: 7 Surprising Ways Cell Phones Affect Your Health; Dan Childs; Marcy 2009
- FDA: Health Issues -- Do Cell Phones Pose a Health Hazard?; May 2010
- World Health Organization: Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Mobile Phones; May 2010
- CTIA Consumer Info: Wireless Phones and Health
- FDA: No Evidence Linking Cell Phone Use to Risk of Brain Tumors; May 2010
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
