Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Researchers at the Swedish National Institute for
Working Life reported that people who use cell phones for more
than an hour a day for ten years are at significantly increased risk
for brain cancers (International Archives of Occupational and
Environmental Health, April, 2006). This study disagrees with
the Dutch Health Council study and a British survey, both
released this year, that failed to show increased any risk. Most
studies so far have failed to show an association between cell
phones and brain tumors.
Cell phones emit low dose microwaves that do not cause
cancer because unlike X rays, they are not strong enough to
break bonds that hold molecules together. The only way that
microwaves can cause cell damage is by producing heat. A study
in the British journal, Nature (May 25, 2001) showed that
microwaves cause roundworms to release heat shock proteins
that are a sign of tissue injury.
Nobody is concerned with the energy generated by
electromagnetic waves that come into your cell phone. The
concern is the energy necessary to send a signal from your
phone to the tower many miles away. This 800 to 900 MHz
range radio frequency comes almost exclusively from the
antenna on the phone and not from the phone itself. Since the
issue is not settled, it would be wise to keep the antenna at least
two inches away from your skin, preferably with a wired or
wireless earpiece. Sound waves in an earpiece have never been
implicated in any type of damage.
June 15, 2006