CellPhone-Radiation.com

Radiation is a form of energy.

There are several different types of radiation present in our surroundings on a day to day basis. Electromagnetic energy from cell phones and radio towers are categorized as non-ionizing radiation and are generally thought to be harmless, while iodizing rays from x-rays and nuclear energy have been proven to cause cancer.

Non-ionizing radiation is electromagnetic radiation that does not have sufficient energy to remove electrons from the outer shells of atoms. Types of non-ionizing radiation are: ultraviolet (UV), visible light, infrared (IR), microwave, radio (and television), and extremely low frequency (ELF, sometimes referred to as EMF or ELF-EMF). Non-ionizing radiation is produced by a wide variety of products in the home and in the workplace, from lasers to power lines, tanning beds to household appliances, cellular phones to ham radios.

The cell phone antenna emits powerful radiation in order to send and receive signals to and from the wireless network. Cell phone radiation penetrates the brain and has the ability to heat human tissue. Damage to tissue can be caused by this exposure because the body is not equipped to dissipate excessive amounts of heat. 

However, it is not only surface heat that is the concern; radiation may have more serious near term affects on brain cells and their proper functioning. To date, the governmental regulation of cell phone radiation has focused on the absorption level of heat, or the specific absorption rate (SAR).  No regulatory attention, and until very recently, little research attention, has been paid to the effects of radiation on the brain’s neuronal growth, development and performance.

In 2008, an Israeli scientist, Dr. Siegal Sadetzki identified a link between cell phone usage and the development of tumors.  The results, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, finds that heavy cell phone users were subject to a higher risk of benign and malignant tumors of the salivary gland.  Her research is now part of the international Interphone Study, which attempts to determine an association between cell phones and several types of b rain and parotid gland tumors.

“As to increases in brain tumors tied to cell phone use, it’s too early to tell due to a lack of hard data,“ says Dr. George Carlo, formerly working on behalf of the wireless industry’s Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association; “we’re never going to see that in time to have it matter. Here in the US, we’re six years behind in getting the brain tumor database completed, and currently the best data are from 1999. By the time you see any data showing an increase, the ticking time bomb is set.”

Agencies in Britain, France, India, Israel, Russia and Finland have issued warnings that regular use of cell phones could damage children's brains. France and a number of other European nations are even proposing to ban the marketing or design of cell phones for kindergarteners. The Russian Ministry of Health has recommended that children under 18 not use mobile phones. The Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection has produced a statement that "the potential risk for the children's health is very high."

They reason that the absorption of the electromagnetic energy in a child’s head is considerably higher than that in the head of an adult: e.g. that children’s brain have higher conductivity, smaller size, thinner skull bones, smaller distance from the antenna etc.) and that children’s organism has more sensitivity to the cell phone radiation, than the adult’s; that children’s brain has higher sensitivity to the accumulation of the adverse effects under conditions of chronic radiation exposure. The result is  a greater penetration of radiation energy into their brains, causing a greater disruption of their nervous system.

Dr. Henry Lai, a research professor at the department of bioengineering at the University of Washington, reported that cell phones may be harmful to young children: “Researchers have speculated for more than 10 years that the electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phones may damage DNA and cause benign brain tumors.   When you use a cell phone, 70 to 80 percent of the energy emitted from the antenna is absorbed by the head. Not very much research has been done on children, but the results from other studies seem to indicate that there is a cause for concern," he said.

Dr. Ronald Herberman, who heads the cancer institute at University of Pittsburgh, made worldwide headlines recently for sending out a memo to his staff, warning that cell phones might cause brain tumors. "Recently I have become aware of the growing body of literature linking long-term cell phone use to possible adverse health effects including cancer," the memo from Dr. Ronald Herberman reads. "Although the evidence is still controversial, I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phone use."  Further, Dr. Herberman warns that children should only use cell phones in emergencies, because their still-developing organs are most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure.

Even the Apple iPhone3G User’s Manual signals caution when it states that the phone is tested for use “at least 5/8 inches from the body” and suggests that the user “hold the iPhone with the dock connector pointed down toward your shoulder to increase the separation from the antenna.”

Existing products

In 2002, the FTC conducted an investigation of numerous products claiming to reduce cell phone radiation: all claims were found to have no scientific basis. There are chips and patches sold commercially that claim to absorb radiation and shields that claim to block radiation. “In fact,” says the agency, “products that block only the earpiece — or another small portion of the phone — are totally ineffective because the entire phone emits electromagnetic waves. What’s more, these shields may interfere with the phone’s signal, cause it to draw even more power to communicate with the base station, and possibly emit more radiation.”

Likewise, Bluetooth earpieces effectively place a radiating antenna inside your ear and even closer to your brain. Hands-free earpieces transmit radiation through the wire and into your ear.

A Solution

In June 2009 PongResearch Corp. introduces the first scientifically proven radiation reduction technology. PONG™ uses patented physics to move radiation up and away from a user’s head, while maintaining the phone’s full signal strength. PONG innovatively embeds a proprietary radiation redirection module into the back of a silicone case.  PONG™ will be available for the iPhone 3G and Blackberry Curve. http://www.pongresearch.com.

Background Materials:  Cell Phones and Cancer/The Debate

Recent results of long-term studies have added to concerns that cell phone radiation may be linked to various forms of cancer, including tumors of the ear and brain, gliomas, blastomas, and neuromas, in addition to a broad range of other health risks.   Below are the most authoritative published reports and media discussions on cell phones and cancer, as released by the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA).

•The National Cancer Institute – Q&A on Cell Phones and Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cell phones)

•Fact or Fiction?: Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer

•Congressional Hearing: Scientists Urge More Research on Cell Phone Use

•Sept. 25, 2008 Testimony at Congressional Hearing on Cell Phone Use, Brain Tumors

•NCI: Cell Phones and Brain Cancer: What We Know (and Don't Know)

•FDA Cell Phone Facts

•The New York Times – “Experts Debate Cell Phone Use” 6/3/08

•The National Cancer Institute – Q&A on Cell Phones and Cancer

•The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Cautions Against Cell Phone Use

•North American Brain Tumor Coalition Urges Completion of Cell Phone Studies

•University of Tel Aviv-Dr. Siegal Sadetzky, 2008

•FTC Consumer Alert on radiation shields, 2002