Cell Phone Radiation and Brain Cancer Debate Continues

The debate whether cell phone radiation causes or contributes to brain cancer continues. Worldwide, one in 29,000 men and one in 38,000 women develop brain tumors each year from all causes.

Residents in developed nations are twice as likely to develop cancer than in developing countries.

But scientists, governments, the wireless industry and the public disagree about cell phone safety and the human brain, although pregnant women and children may have a higher risk.

Research linking low-level “non-thermal” radiation from cell phones has been studied for decades. But five factors connecting brain cancer with mobile devices cloud the picture.

First, it takes 15-20 years for most cancers or tumors to appear and multiple reasons account for them.

Second, more people today have cell phones. In 1996, only 34 million Americans owned them. By mid 2010, over 240 million people will own at least one mobile phone, kept within nine feet of their bodies, whether awake or sleeping, increasing exposure to RF signals.

Third, smartphones increase radiation exposure because they’re used constantly for voice and data. Only a few years ago, few people owned smartphones and only used their cells for voice, texting and loading WAP sites.

Fourth, everyone is surrounded by radio and television towers, microwave dishes, radar antennas, microwave ovens and other wireless devices. Increasing total radio frequency radiation boosts the risk of brain and other disorders. (See the National Cancer Institute‘s summary.)

Last, there’s increased use of Wi-Fi in home networks, hotspots and over larger geographic areas using WiMax. A Swedish study in 2006 concluded that WiMax contributed to increased headaches, breathing difficulties and blurred vision. When WiMax was turned off, the symptoms disappeared.

Mobile Phone Use in Buildings and Mass Transit Systems Rising

People are now using their mobile handsets more within buildings or while on mass transit systems than outdoors. To boost signal strength for voice and data reception, wireless carriers have installed cell repeaters and additional antennas, further increasing exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

The “Frey” Effect

RF (radio frequency) is a non-ionizing form of radiation. Unlike ionizing radiation from X-rays, RF doesn’t warm the body. RF emissions only penetrate human tissue.

In 1960, Allen Frey, who worked for General Electric’s Advanced Electronics center at Cornell, caused an uproar among neuroscientists when he tested how microwave radiation affects the brains, hearts and eyes of frogs and other lab animals.

Frey traveled to a radar field where he felt the buzz of high-level radar emissions inside his brain. This became known as the “Frey effect.” Later, he studied the safety of microwave ovens, considered safe by most at the time, and studied how eletromagnetism affects human body.

Microwave ovens operate within the 1900Mhz spectrum, similar to cellular CDMA networks. But a second frequency within the 1900Mhz band, operating at 2.4Ghz and used in Wi-Fi networks, concerned Frey. He concluded that the second frequency crosses the blood-brain barrier in humans, possibly breaking DNA strands and causing brain damage.

Cell Phone Radiation Research

A study sponsored by the International Agency for Research in 2008 found that people in 13 countries who used cell phones over twelve years were 49% more likely to develop brain cancer than non-cellphone users
In 2009, a Swedish study revealed that young people who used mobile phones before age 20 were five times more likely to develop a brain tumor
In Israel, cancer of the parotid gland (the salivary gland in the cheek) developed among cellular vs. non-cellular users
The University of Pittsburgh cancer institute in September, 2008 concluded that electromagnetic fields penetrate children’s brains easier due to their thinner skulls
A 2004 Swedish study revealed that regular use of mobile phones is associated with a slightly higher rate of acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor behind the ear and and under the brain
A Danish study found no risk from cellphones but some European countries began discouraging cell phone use by children
In 2008, some countries in Europe became concerned about Wi-Fi and considered banning it in government buildings
Scientific American’s review of the literature concluded that cell phone radiation causing brain cancer was inconclusive
A New York Times article reviewed recent research that did not show higher cases of brain tumors
Bluetooth radiation, although 100 times less powerful RF from a mobile phone, is also a source of exposure
A National Toxicity study at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, concluded “we don’t know” after reviewing cases of people who used phones for two decades
The World Health Organization, American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute and the FDA haven’t have concluded that wireless devices are not a public risk
When the cell phone industry sponsors studies of RF ‘s affects on humans, 25% of the studies shows ill effects. But independently-funded studies demonstrate 75% of the time that cellular radiation causes brain damage

20 Highest Radiation Phones (CNET)

10 Lowest Radiation Phones (CNET)

The debate and studies connecting cell phone radiation with brain cancer continues. While a definitive study clearly showing a correlation is lacking, the issue will certainly continue as more people use wireless devices. Only time will tell if we’re exposing our bodies to undue amounts of RF radiation.

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