Still lots of static around the cellular radiation debate

by Mary Shacklett

Over 200 million Americans rely on cell phones for personal and business use. Growing numbers of households are dropping wire-line communications altogether, opting for 100 percent wireless lifestyles. Economical and convenience benefits are well understood, but what about the cell phone-brain cancer link debate we've been hearing about for 10 years?

Lawsuits against cell phone manufacturers and telecommunications companies that allege links between cell phone use and brain cancer have been filed.

One of the most notable is an $800 million lawsuit filed by an east coast neurologist who is convinced that nine years of continuous cell phone use led to his brain cancer, which developed in the exact area of his brain that received the RF radiation emitted from his cell phone. This lawsuit follows several others that were dismissed, due to lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, studies exploring the possible link between cell phone use and the development of brain cancer continue to yield mixed findings. The result: agencies like the FDA are unable to unequivocally state that there is a cell phone-brain cancer link - but they also advocate further studies, since they are equally unprepared to state that there is no risk.

The facts are: widespread cell phone use in the US and other countries is a fairly recent phenomenon, with a history of less than 20 years; and, it can take years for many types of brain cancers to develop, which can make it too early to assess for links.

With inconclusive findings, cell phone users are left to weigh the pros and cons for themselves. One step everyone can take is gaining an understanding of how cell phones operate, and how these phones emit radiation.

Radiation mechanics

US mobile phones operate in a frequency of 850 to 1900 megahertz (MHz). This radio frequency (RF) radiation range differs from the RF range of medical x-rays, which can pose health risks.

However, if the RF emissions from cellular phones are powerful enough, they are capable of heating living tissue and of potentially causing biological damage.

The cell phone's RF emissions are generated by the phone's antenna, which is why a cell phone user's exposure to cell phone radiation is amplified the closer that the cell phone antenna is to the user's head.

The cell phone's RF energy emissions rapidly fall off as distance between the user's head and the cell phone's antenna increases. This builds a strong case for headsets and/or other use strategies that eliminate the need to hold a cell phone next to the head.

Many experts point to the fact that cell phones only emit six-tenths of a watt of power. While calling for additional studies, these experts also question whether wattage so low can affect human health in any way, no matter how close a user's head is to the phone's antenna.

Meanwhile, cell phone makers are required to report the specific absorption rate (SAR) of their products to the FCC. The SAR is the amount of RF energy absorbed from the phone into the user's local tissues.