How Dangerous is Your Cell Phone?
Everyone has one, whether it is a smart phone or a small Motorola. Cell phones offer convenience, a way to stay connected to family and friends, along with added security in the event of an emergency. But, could there be a danger hiding in your phone?
Cell phones emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation and several past studies have proved this can be a known carcinogen and can cause tumors.
Cell phones emit two types of electro-magnetic fields (EMF); microwaves from the antenna and extremely-low fields (ELF) from the body of the phone, which is the radiofrequency type of radiation.
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Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a component of the World Health Organization, has classified radiofrequency fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Several international studies show that there is a link between brain and salivary gland cancer with increased cell phone use. But according to the World Health Organization more long-term health studies need to be conducted.
Scientist Dr. Martin Blank, associate professor of physiology and cellular biophysics at Columbia University in Manhattan has been researching electro-magnetic fields (EMF) for over 25 years.
“Our body reacts to EMF as potentially harmful,” Blank told The Christian Post. “The accepted safe level for RF range is 0.4W/kg and most public exposure levels of cell towers and antennas are at 0.8W/kg based on a SAR (specific absorption rate) of 4W/kg as the level at which adverse effects are said to be determined.”
Yet, there are other opinions within the cellular industry depicting that RF radiation levels are below the dangers levels. Dan Collins, chief technical officer from the Pinnacle Telecom Group, a New Jersey based independent firm providing technical services nationwide to the telecommunications industry said that all cell towers and cell phones comply with FCC regulations.
“The latest reports from the World Health Organization are inclusive and a lot more research has to be done about any carcinogenic effects from cell phones or antennas,” Collins explained to The Christian Post. “SAR rates are higher in smart phones, but we do not know if that is harmful. There are 4-5 billion cell phone users worldwide and smart phones just came out in the market, so we do not have all the data yet on these devices. We would need over 10 years to really look into any harmful effects from this technology.”
Dr. George Carlo, a public health scientist and founder of the Science and Public Policy Institute in Washington D.C. says children are particularly susceptible to the radiation generated by cell phones because their brains are still growing.
“Cell phones can disrupt cardiac pacemakers, it compromises the blood-brain barrier and most startling it inflicts genetic damage and that is a known diagnostic marker for cancer,” said Carlo.
According to a nationwide study, the Global System for Mobile Communication may be connected with an increase in brain tumors, seizures and headaches (The Lancet 2000; 356:1833-1836).
The FDA and the FCC recently suggested ways to reduce radiofrequency exposure by using a hands-free device or cut down on phone usage.
“It is utterly irresponsible for the wireless industry to continue their misrepresentation of the science to facilitate misleading claims about safety,” Carlo told The Christian Post.
