CELL PHONES MYTHS
Since the massive increase of cell phone use in recent years, health concerns have been raised, in particular whether they cause brain tumors. This has resulted in extensive research on both animals and people.
Cell phones use electromagnetic waves in the microwave range. Some of these waves can be absorbed into the human head. Microwaves are known to produce dielectric heating, in which living tissue is heated. With cell phone use, this results in the temperature of the head increasing slightly. Some experts suggest that cell phone use may lead to brain tumors, although others say that the brain easily disposes of excess heat by regulating its blood circulation.
It is also thought that the levels of radiation emitted by cell phones damage the blood-brain barrier, which prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. Some studies have shown that the radiation causes the cells in blood vessels to shrink, allowing molecules to pass into the brain tissue. A 2004 study found evidence of DNA damage to cells, as well as gene and chromosome damage, and an increased rate of cell division (often associated with certain types of cancer). A more recent study from a Swedish team suggests that the radiation emitted causes damage to nerve fibers, potentially resulting in brain tumors. The study says that a person would probably have to use a cell phone for more than 10 years to be at risk.
Most of these studies have been carried out on animals, and it is unknown if the same effects would be seen in people. The majority of studies have found no substantive evidence that cell phones are harmful to human health. But no proof exists that they are safe either. Most experts agree that the current evidence is inconclusive. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom government advises that cell phone users exercise caution and keep call length to a minimum. In addition, those users younger than 16, whose nervous systems may still be developing, should take extra care to reduce their usage.
MORE ON CELL PHONE MYTHS & RISK FACTORS
Mobile or cell phones are nowadays an integral part of modern telecommunications in every individual life. In many countries, over half of the population use mobile phones and the mobile phone market is growing rapidly.Mobile phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues close to the phone. The amount of radiofrequency energy a mobile phone user is exposed depend on many factors as the technology of the phone, the distance between the phone and the user, the extent and type of mobile phone use and the user’s distance from cell phone towers.
While an increased risk of brain tumours from the use of mobile phones is not established, the increasing use of mobile phones and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time periods longer than 15 years warrant further research of mobile phone use and brain cancer risk. In particular, with the recent popularity of mobile phone use among younger people, potentially longer lifetime of exposure, WHO has promoted further research on this group and is currently assessing the health impact of RF fields on all studied endpoints. A cohort study in Denmark linked billing information from more than 358,000 cell phone subscribers with brain tumour incidence data from the Danish Cancer Registry. The analyses found no association between cell phone use and the incidence of glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, even among people who had been cell phone subscribers for 13 or more years.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that the IARC classification means that there could be some risk associated with cancer, but the evidence is not strong enough to be considered causal and needs to be investigated further. Individuals who are concerned about radiofrequency exposure can limit their exposure, including using an ear piece and limiting cell phone use, particularly among children.
Scientists have reported adverse health effects of using mobile phones including changes in brain activity, reaction times, and sleep patterns. More studies are underway to try to confirm these findings. When mobile phones are used very close to some medical devices (including pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, and certain hearing aids) there is the possibility of causing interference with their operation. There is also the potential of interference between mobile phones signals and aircraft electronics. Some countries have licensed mobile phone use on aircraft during flight using systems that control the phone output power.
Research has shown an increased risk of traffic accidents, about 3- 4 times greater chance of an accident, when mobile phones (either handheld or with a “hands-free” kit) are used while driving due to distraction.
Children have the potential to be at greater risk than adults for developing brain cancer from cell phones. Their nervous systems are still developing and therefore more vulnerable to factors that may cause cancer.