The simple truth is that talking or texting on a cell phone uses the same kind of radio frequency radiation you would find in a microwave, Yahoo! reports. It is comprised of frequencies, modulation patterns, and other characteristics that make it biologically disruptive.
That disruption may cause serious health problems for us. Cell phone radiation has been associated with many types of cancer, the best known being brain tumours. Also, the longer the hours of use, and years of use, the greater the risk.
According to a nutritionist, Dr Ann Louise Gittleman, the radio frequency radiation emitted from cell phones can be linked to neuron death in the brain and blood barrier permeability. Such risk is increased for those who begin cell phone use as a teenager or younger, she says.
The National Cancer Institute in the United States says on its website that no link has been established between cell phones and cancer, it goes further to say that:
Although there have been some concerns that radio frequency energy from cell phones held closely to the head may affect the brain and other tissues, to date there is no evidence from studies of cells – animals, or humans – that radio frequency energy can cause cancer.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also take a similar stance, although it doesn’t say that cell phones do not cause cancer. Rather it says that:
There is no scientific evidence that provides a definite answer to that question. Some organizations recommend caution in cell phone use. More research is needed before we know if using cell phones causes health effects.
Though cell phones give off radiation but we do not know for sure if the radio frequency radiation given off by cell phones can cause health problems.
However, in 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as a possible human carcinogen, meaning there is a chance it might cause cancer.
But a study of nearly 359,000 adults in Denmark did not find an increase in the number of brain tumors among cell phone users — including those who had been using them for 13 years. And according to Dr Timothy Moynihan, an oncologist – a doctor who treats cancer -, despite the widespread use of cell phones in the past 30 years, there has been no increase in brain tumour diagnoses.
So, Are Cell Phones Safe?
As cell phone technology has improved, the ability of radio frequency radiation to penetrate our body’s tissue has also lessened. Cell phones in the 80s and 90s used higher energy and lower frequency systems, which can more easily penetrate our bones and skin.
But modern cell phones use lower energy and higher frequency systems; and the higher the frequency, the lower the penetration through biological tissue.
While ongoing trials may help clarify things even more in the future, there is no need to become alarmed at cell phone usage at present; but if your concerns about cell phones and cancer persist, you should consider using a hands-free device.
