By Karla Sullivan
According to recent research cell phone ownership among adults has exceed 90% and is the most quickly adopted consumer technology according to Pew Research Center. Fifty-six percent in the same survey have smartphones.
But as the use of cell phone progresses, will health problems, such as cancer be linked to cell phone use? Some studies have questioned that the cell phone, that everyone today cannot live without, may be a prime target for health issues. The primary concern seems to be the development of brain tumors or cancer of the salivary glands.
The National Cancer Institute defines three reasons why people are concerned.
· Cell phones emit radio-frequency energy (radio waves), a form of non-ionizing radiation. Tissues nearest to where the phone is held can absorb this energy.
· The number of cell phone users has increased rapidly. As of 2010, there were more than 303 million subscribers to cell phone service in the United States, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. This is a nearly threefold increase from the 110 million users in 2000. Globally, the number of cell phone subscriptions is estimated by the International Telecommunications Union to be 5 billion.
· Over time, the number of cell phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the amount of time people use cell phones have increased. Cell phone technology has also undergone substantial changes.
A recent study on radio-frequency energy has been know to metabolize more glucose when people use a cell phone for 50 minutes accessing the brain tissues on the same side of the head as the phone’s antenna or the phone itself. But increase in glucose metabolism is not linked to cancer at this time.
How do cell phones work?
Cell phones send and receive signals from nearby cell towers using RF waves which is a form of electromagnetic energy that falls between FM radio waves and microwaves and they are considered non-ionizing. They don’t have enough energy to cause cancer by directly damaging the DNA inside cells. At high levels of energy, like a microwave, they are a source of heat. But the levels given off by cell phones are much much lower according to The American Cancer Society and many factors affect the amount of RF energy to which one is exposed.
· The amount of time the person is on the phone.
· Whether or not the person is using the speaker mode on the phone or a hands-free device. Using one of these allows the phone to be held away from the head.
· The distance and path to the nearest cell phone tower. Cell phones adjust their power to use the minimum amount for a good signal. Being farther away from the tower requires more energy to get a good signal, as does being inside a building.
· The amount of cell phone traffic in the area at the time. Higher traffic may require more energy to get a good signal.
· The model of phone being used. Different phones give off different amounts of energy.
What do studies suggest?
First of all, studies are not able to follow people for long periods of time such as when research first began on the use of tobacco. Cell phone manufacturers keeps changing. The American Cancer Society looks to the experts in cell phone study such as the Food and Drug Administration which claims that most research has not shown a correlation between health problems and cellphone use. The CDC, Center for Disease Control and Protection does not see a link to health problems and cell phone use either, however, they do advise continued study to determine if a cellphone can be a risk to your health.
What does this mean?
Many are not convinced and feel that the insurance industry should provide product liability insurance on cellphones. Many are also advocating for warnings put on cell phones to protect business through lawsuits…just in case. Again, just like the warnings on cigarettes…just in case.
If you are concerned?
· Keep your cell phone at least 10 inches away from your head when you sleep at night.
· Use speaker options or ear pieces instead.
· Minimize children’s cell phone use as well as pregnant woman.
· Ask for more research and government health recommendations.
