Cell Phones: Helpful and Hazardous

Since April 1973, when Dr. Martin Cooper made the first call on a portable cell phone, the technology has continued to evolve and the demand for cell phones has skyrocketed. It is estimated that there are more than 250 million Americans who now subscribe to a cell phone service. Portable cell phones and PDAs have given us the convenience to do everything from checking the weather to downloading our personal medical records. But are we paying too high a price for this convenience? The head of a prominent cancer research institute feels we are.

Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, believes that cell phone use may be increasing our risk of cancer. He is so convinced that he recently issued a memo to 3,000 of his faculty and staff warning them of the possible risk and listing tips for reducing that risk. "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," his memo said.

Children are at the heart of Dr. Herberman's concern, as their brains are still developing. He says children should use mobile phones only in emergencies and adults should try to keep the phone away from the head by either using hands-free devices or speakerphone. He also suggests switching sides regularly while talking on a cell phone. "Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," he said.

Dr. Herberman has joined an international group of prominent doctors and public health officials and researchers in signing an advisory statement about the link between cell phone use and the risk of brain cancer. "The most recent studies, which include subjects with a history of cell phone usage during the last 10 years, show a possible association between certain benign tumors and some brain cancers on the side the device is used," a portion of the statement said. The chief architect of the statement was Devra Lee Davis, the director of the University of Pittsburgh's center for environmental oncology. "The question is do you want to play Russian roulette with your brain," she said. "I don't know that cell phones are dangerous. But I don't know that they are safe."

Scientists do know that cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation, during conversations, and lower levels while in the standby mode. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated with using wireless phones." On the other hand, the National Cancer Institute says, "Although research has not consistently demonstrated a link between cellular telephone use and cancer, scientists still caution that more research needs to be done before conclusions can be drawn about the risk of cancer from cellular telephones."

As we await the results of "future studies," let's consider present risks that have been associated with cell phone use.

• Cell phone oblivion. A study by Jack Nasar, professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State University, and colleagues found that 48 percent of cell phone users crossed a busy road in front of approaching cars, compared to only 25 percent of those not using cell phones.
• Traffic accidents. Studies show that talking on a cell phone while driving makes you four times more likely to have an accident that will send you to the hospital. And according to Carnegie Mellon University scientists, simply listening to your cell phone reduces by 37 percent the amount of brain activity associated with driving, which is "enough to make you weave out of your lane."
• Allergic reactions. According to a study by Danish researchers, nickel dermatitis, the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis in women, may be caused by frequent and prolonged use of cell phones.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Jennifer Valle, an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas says that "repeated, prolonged gripping of anything can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome."
• Teen sleep issues. According to a study presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, teenagers who use their cell phones excessively are more prone to disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue.
• Child behavioral problems. A study of more than 13,000 children found that pre- or post-natal exposure to cell-phone radiation was associated with behavioral issues such as emotional and hyperactivity problems by the time they reached school age. The researchers noted that the association could be due to other factors; for example mothers who use cell phones frequently pay less attention to their children. But given the widespread use of cell phones, the connection could be of public health concern if substantiated.
• False sense of security. According to a survey of 305 students, college students, especially women, may take more risks when carrying a cell phone. In the survey, 40 percent of cell phone users said they walked somewhere after dark that they normally wouldn't have gone. "Students seem to feel less vulnerable when they carry a cell phone, although there's no evidence that they really are," said Jack Nasar, co-author of the study. "If anything, they are probably less safe because they are paying less attention to their surroundings."