Health concerns over wireless technologies
81Spectrum of EM radiation
Do you think Bluetooth technologies will prove dangerous to one's health?
See results without votingThis perpetuates the idea that everything causes cancer.
After analyzing more than 100 studies on the effects of cell phone use, British neurosurgeon Vini Khurana told the Independent of London that cell phone use could increase one's risk of brain cancer. Ten years could double one's chances of developing brain cancer or a malignant brain tumor. Khurana believes the risk is so great that he has urged governments and other groups to act to reduce the amounts of radiation emitted from cell phones.
Cell phones, which emit radiation typically at frequencies from 1 to 2.5 gigahertz (GHz), are not the only wireless devices causing concern. Even Bluetooth devices put out radiation, from 1 to 100 mW (milliwatts), and range from 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz on the microwave frequency spectrum. Wireless LAN, or WiFi, has transmission power of around 35 mW, sometimes up to 200 mw at its strongest. Remote controls for gates, wireless security camera and alarm systems, and radio communication devices are just some of the other devices included in the category under scrutiny.
While Khurana's study is in the works for publication in science journals and for peer review, the Mobile Operators Association said that one opinion is not enough to influence changes in policies concerning wireless objects. The group cited the findings of the World Health Organization, which established the International EMF Project in 1996 and found that exposures of wireless devices are below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP (1998) EMF guidelines, covering the full frequency range from 0-300 GHz, and do not cause health problems.
The U.S. and Canadian governments have set a maximum specific absorption rates (SARs) of 1.6 watts per kilogram.
More than 30 studies have been conducted on the effects of low-power electromagnetic fields, and none have shown a link between EMF (electromagnetic fields) and symptoms reported by those with electrosensitivity, thus suggesting that symptoms may be caused by other factors, including stress and even psychosomatic illness.
There is talk that living in big cities where technology is widely used can contribute to one's danger of developing health problems; although danger is said to be lessened because wave signals are dispersed rather than concentrated, so many signals from numerous, environmental sources can have just as many negative effects.
For now, Khurana recommends to keep cell-phone use at a minimum. I feel there's little I can do but try to use my Bluetooth more often.
RSS Feeds
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich Says Cell Phone Radiation Gave Him 'Headaches' (Video)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) spoke briefly about the cell phone health issue during a recent conference of scientists and government officials on that subject in Congress. Rep. Kucinich relates his personal experience of getting 'headaches' when using the cell phone and the precautionary measures he has applied to circumvent the effects. Rep. Kucinich is the chair of the subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that held hearings last year about whether there is a link between cell phones and cancer. He expressed particular concern about the radiation effects on children, which he said is found to be "medically significant." It may be worth noting that during that hearing, the cell phone industry executives declined his request to testify about the status of the scientific research on the topic. Here's the video (Rep. Kucinich is introduced a about 30 seconds into the video):
- WHO Study Shows Cell Phone Radiation, Brain Tumor Link
A ten-year study into cell phones conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found a link between long term use and brain tumors. The internationally-respected body will release the official results of their study before the end of the year, but will soon begin issuing a public health message with its findings, according to the New York Post. The $30 million decade-long project surveyed 12,800 people in 13 countries, and included tumor sufferers as well as healthy cell phone users. No specific results of the study have been released, but preliminary results have linked mobile phone exposure to three types of brain tumour and a tumour of the salivary gland. This finding comes on the heels of similar reports recently by the International EMF Collaborative and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as well as a Senate hearing chaired by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, looking into the health risks of cell phone use. The head of the WHO study, Dr. Elisabeth Cardis, said, "In the absence of definitive results and in the light of a number of studies which, though limited, suggest a possible effect of radiofrequency radiation, precautions are important." She further stated that children should be restricted, not banned, from cell phone use.
- Find Out Your Cell Phone's Radiation Level
A leading public heath and environmental advocacy group recently released a report of its investigation into the cell phone radiation issue. Environmental Working Group (EWG) looked at existing studies and came to the conclusion that there is cause for concern. Scientists around the world have recently associated serious health problems with using cell phones for 10 years or longer, including two types of brain tumors (glioma and acoustic neuroma) and salivary gland tumors. It also cited studies linking cell phone use and behavioral problems among children, and other health issues such as migraines and vertigo. More details of the report can be found in EWG's report, Cell Phone Radiation: Science Review on Cancer Risks and Children's Health. EWG also created an online database where cell phone users can check how much radiation they may be exposed to when using their cell phones. Radiation level is measured by Specific Absorption Rates* (SAR), which is a measure (in W/Kg) of how much radiation is absorbed by the body when the phone is sending a signal to the network. Based on the maximum SAR readings of 1000 cell phones looked at, here are the cell phones with the top 10 highest and lowest cell phone radiation levels: TOP 10 HIGHEST RADIATION CELL PHONES: 1. Motorola MOTO VU204 [Verizon Wireless], 1.55 W/Kg 2. T-Mobile myTouch 3G [T-Mobile], 1.55 W/Kg 3. Kyocera Jax S1300 [Virgin Mobile], 1.55 W/Kg 4. Blackberry Curve 8330 [Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS], 1.54 W/Kg 5. Motorola W385 [U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless], 1.54 W/Kg 6. T-Mobile Shadow [T-Mobile], 1.53 W/kg 7. Motorola C290 [Sprint, Kajeet], 1.53 W/kg 8. Motorola i335 [Sprint], 1.53 W/kg 9. Motorola MOTO VE240 [Cricket, MetroPCS], 1.52 W/kg 10. Blackberry Bold 9000 [AT&T], 1.51 W/kg TOP 10 LOWEST RADIATION CELL PHONES: 1. Samsung Impression (SGH-a877) [AT&T], 0.35 W/kg 2. Motorola RAZR V8 [CellularONE], 0.36 W/kg 3. Samsung SGH-t229 [T-Mobile], 0.38 W/kg 4. Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837) [AT&T], 0.46 W/kg 5. Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627) [AT&T], 0.47 W/kg 6. Samsung Gravity (SGH-t459) [CellularONE, T-Mobile], 0.49 W/kg 7. T-Mobile Sidekick [T-Mobile], 0.50 W/kg 8. LG Xenon (GR500) [AT&T], 0.52 W/kg 9. Motorola Karma QA1 [AT&T], 0.55 W/kg 10. Sanyo Katana II [Kajeet], 0.55 W/kg The current limit set in the United States by the FCC is 1.6 W/kg. Scientists and health experts are calling for a review of the current safety standards because the thermal or heating effect of radiofrequency radiation as measured by SAR is very limited. Most studies that link cell phone use with brain tumors and other health issues are based on the non-thermal (non-heating) effects of cell phone radiation. This means one should not be lulled into thinking that just because their cell phone has a low radiation that it is safe. It is not necessarily so. You can find our more details about the radiation readings of your cell phone and others here: All available phones, and all phones (current and legacy). *Specific absorption rate (SAR) is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed by the body when exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field. It is defined as the power absorbed per mass of tissue and has units of watts per kilogram (W/Kg).
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Comments
Its is a scary world today. We just never know what the thing we eat and drink have in them either. Chemicals and progress is going to make it harder still for our kids... and most of kids spend their life on their phones
Very good (and worrying) hub. While I don't use my mobile much, I sit for much of the day beside a wireless station (and, in any event, have receivers in both my computers).
What can we do? Little, I suspect.
Most people use these gadets without any regard to health, I must admit I do not use my mobile phone as much as others do, but these signals around your head have to have some effect. Scary Hub thanks.
Our lifestyle now is so much different than it was before. With the advancement of technology, our health has been compromised as well. Sad but true. No wonder it is best to go back to the basics. Last week, we went to a place away from the hustle and bustle of city life--and it was so refreshing. Thanks for sharing :-)
--michelle
Thank you for answering my request, glassvisage. The RSS feeds are very interesting indeed...a good addition to this hub!
i'm glad you are discussing the issues around wireless technology. don't forget the issues around safety. This is the most common way that our confidential info gets lifted and identity theft occurs. Watch this incredibly informative video showing how one woman gets her identity and private information lifted ata local coffee shop by a security specialist posing as a scammer of information. He shows her (as she looks on in shocking disbelief) how vulnerable we are to having passwords and confidential infomraiton taken right out of the ether as we work unbeknowingly in public places. Even our home's wireless firewalls and security issues alll have their weak links and back doors that hackers optimize see these pages! http://netrageouz.biz/?p=610 and http://netrageouz.biz/?p=626. And thanks for allowing my post.Netrageouz says
the use of wireless gadgets specially cell phones nowadays are inncevitable, that it has been a part of our daily lifestyle. sometimes it worries me because I use my cell phone so frequently aside from other wireless equipments but its just part of life these days.
Ralph Deeds says:
2 years ago
Interesting. Fortunately, I don't use my cell phone much.