Cell phones have become an integral part of our daily lives. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that there are over 4.6 billion cell phone subscriptions worldwide. This has sparked a public health concern, and much debate about cell phones and whether or not they are a risk for brain cancer. Numerous studies have been conducted, yielding different results.
Cell phones communicate by transmitting RF (radiofrequency) waves through cell towers. RF waves are located on the electromagnetic spectrum between FM radio waves and microwaves. RF waves are electromagnetic fields that produce a form of non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation cannot directly damage DNA because it doesn’t break the chemical bonds in DNA.
However, when RF energy interacts with the body, it causes tissue heating. Numerous studies have been done that show most of the heat produced is absorbed by the skin, leaving organs such as the brain at minimal risk to tissue heating. Handsets only transmit radio-requency waves when turned on. The World Health Organization also recommends using a hands-free device or text messaging which keeps the handset farther from the body and your more vulnerable organs.
Studies have also been conducted on cell phones and their relation to salivary gland tumors, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and testicular cancer. Some studies point to an increased risk while others are inconclusive. Other studies show an act