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Dr. Devra Davis Explores the Links Between Cell Phones and Our Health
Emily Lynne Ion
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cell phones have redefined global communication. In the US, nine out of 10 people today use cell phones on a daily basis. But, as is the way with most new technology, the wide adoption of cell phones preceded adequate study of potential health risks. And there is growing evidence that heavy use of cell phones could be contributing to the rise in incidences of brain cancer.
Dr. Devra Davis, Healthy Child Advisory Board Member and Director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is adamant about potential risks. She argues in her book, The Secret History of the War on Cancer, that the cumulative exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones may be causing cancer in users. Most importantly, she stresses that we just don’t know enough about the technology to be sure it’s not harming us.
Studies conducted in Sweden found that long-term cell phone users doubled their risk for brain tumors, specifically, glioma, a lethal tumor, and acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the hearing nerve that can cause eventual deafness. Sweden was one of the first countries to adopt cellular technology in the 1980s, thus users with 10 years or more cell phone exposure have been evaluated for long-term effects. Shortly after Sweden’s discovery, 28 renowned cancer biologists signed a cautionary advisory on cell phone use.
Brain cancer is an incredibly difficult disease to study. There are multiple unknowns and overlapping risk factors, and tumors take over a decade to develop fully. It may be decades before we have conclusive evidence as to how exposures affect the brain. Studying cell phone exposure is even more complex because with millions of users worldwide, there are fewer and fewer unexposed control groups.
Currently there is no definitive scientific evidence that cell phone radiation causes brain tumors, in fact there is much dispute among researchers. But we know very little about how cell phone radiation affects our health. Dr. Davis believes, as does Healthy Child, that prevention is the best medicine. She has been in the news recently advocating precautionary measures when it comes to how we use our cell phones. In particular she advises against exposing children to electromagnetic radiation.
From cell phone industry data we know that electromagnetic radiation penetrates about 2 inches into an adult brain, and even farther into the developing skull of a child. Children’s brains are smaller and protected by thinner bone, permitting deeper penetration. Most cell phone manuals, which are rarely read, recommend that all users keep the phone away from their bodies and hold the device as far from the ear as is feasible.
Last year, 46% of US children aged 8-12 used cell phones. Israel, England, France and Germany have all issued public health warnings against cell phone use for children.
Instead of waiting for our own government to issue a public health warning, here are some preventive steps you can take to protect your family and yourself from exposure:
- Electromagnetic radiation exposure is through the antenna, and the closer it is to your head, the greater the exposure. The number one preventative step you can take is to use a headset or earpiece to distance your ear and head from the radiation.
- Cell phone signals can warm the auditory nerve on the side of the head where the phone is used. If you feel your phone is hot or your ear feels warm, end the call and move to a landline or cordless phone.
- The highest brain exposure from radiation is on the side of the head where the phone is normally held. Switch the phone from ear to ear during calls to avoid localizing exposure to one side.
- Older cell phones (analog models) emit higher radiation than newer, digital equipment. Have a look at this guide to find out which newer models are safer and where your current device lies on the spectrum.
- Children under the age of 12 should not use cell phones unless in an emergency situation. If they must use cell phones, make sure they connect using a headset.
- Turn your cell phone off when not in use (especially overnight if it rests on your nightstand) and try to text message instead of calling.
Cell phones have been a boon to society, but be aware of the risks and take some simple precautions. It’s no different than wearing seat belts in a car. For more information, check out:
Posted by DR on 10/29 at 09:19 PM
Thanks for the link to the list of SAR ratings; very informative.
Posted by Olga Elkind on 11/04 at 12:02 AM
In your opinion, does using a headset decrease the risk of brain cancer or not?
Conventional headset and the one that goes behind the ear.
Thank you.
Posted by Emily on 11/04 at 02:46 PM
Olga,
Electromagnetic radiation exposure is through the antenna, and the closer it is to your head, the greater the exposure. Dr. Davis suggests that the number one preventative step you can take is to use a headset or earpiece to distance your ear and head from the radiation. In particular, she advocates for using a Bluetooth earpiece because it produces only 1/100th of the electromagnetic field of a normal cell phone.
And whenever possible, use the speaker phone mode or just text message instead of calling.
Thank you!
Posted by Jamie on 11/05 at 02:00 PM
Thanks for posting this information and including a link to the list of various cell phones and their radiation levels. However, I was puzzled by the second preventative step (above) since it says to “move to a . . . cordless phone.” I read that cordless phones can be just as bad as cell phones. Is this not true? Any clarification on this matter would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by Emily on 11/05 at 08:08 PM
Thanks Jamie, this is an interesting point. I recommended above moving from a cell phone to a landline or cordless phone if possible. Stationary landlines in homes, though safer in terms of exposure, are becoming more rare. People prefer the ability to move freely about while on a call. So its good to be aware of how we use cordless phones, and the risks involved there as well.
Cordless phones function in the same way as cell phones. The only difference is that a cordless phone is limited to a single base unit to which it belongs, while a cell phone can roam across the country because it can connect to the many base stations that the cell phone system has.
The World Health Organization has determined that cordless phones operate at 1/600th the power of cell phones. Thus, though the user is still exposed to low levels of radiation, the amount is less than the exposure rate of a cell phone.
To be safe, I do the same with cordless phones that I do with cell phones: avoid pressing it tightly to my head and hold the phone about an inch away from my ear.
Posted by Camilla Rees on 04/15 at 08:39 PM
For parents wanting more information from global experts on EMF and Health, please see www.ElectromagneticHealth.org.
Also, please sign the EMF Petition to Congress there or at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/6/urge-congress-on-emf-safety-fcc-must-change-exposure-guidelines-for-microwave-radiation-exposure
See book “Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution” at www.electromagnetichealth.org. It contains a great Safety Recommendations Section all families concerned about health should read.
Posted by Lana Hiter on 10/29 at 05:26 PM
Good job!! Thank goodness I am not addicted to cell phone use.