America's New Favorite Vice (Major Post)

Check my email, reply to a text message, update my Facebook status, watch a YouTube video, and pay my credit card bill -- without breaking a sweat. The things I can get done on my five minute walk to class. Before my iPhone days I would have given my life in order to own a sleek, smart phone, but who knew that that is exactly what I'd be doing after all.

Last week, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a comprehensive report evaluating the amount of radiation emitted by more than 1,000 types of cell phones marketed in the US. The report is aimed at providing cell phone users with information to fill the gap left by vendors neglecting to share cell phone emission levels with their customers. Now anyone in the market for a new cell phone not only has to consider the perfect aesthetics, the memory space, the call quality, etc., but also the amount of radioactive waves invading their delicate brain cells.

This enlightening report adds fuel to the fire of researchers who have been advocating the significant health risks involved with excess cell phone usage. Since the first commercial cellular phone system was introduced to the United States in the 1980s, scientists have performed numerous studies investigating the possible effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields on humans.

One 2008 study performed in Denmark found that mothers who used a cell phone two to three times daily during their pregnancy reported a higher level of behavioral problems in their children, including hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating. These behavioral problems increased by 80% in children who had occasional use of a cell phone by age 7.

And, for all the males reading this, I bet none of you have ever thought that the cell phone in your pocket may be resting just a little bit too close to some precious cargo down there. A published report consolidated the findings of numerous experiments examining the relationship between cell phone usage and male infertility. A study in 2007 tested 361 men in an infertility clinic and found that high cell phone usage decreases sperm counts, mobility, viability and morphology. This was more so the case for men who kept their cell phones close to their waste -- anywhere from 6-8 inches of the genitalia was found to be unsafe.

In addition, a repeated study since the 1990s, reasearchers found:

In series of more than 1,600 animals, subthermal power densities from both pulse-modulated and continuous RF EMFs—including those from GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phones—have the potency to significantly open the blood–brain barrier such that the animals’ own albumin passes out of the bloodstream into the brain tissue and accumulates in the neurons and glial cells surrounding the capillaries.

Basically, cell phone radiation is causing the barrier between blood vessels and brain cells to deteriorate.Therefore, if large molecules are permitted to enter brain tissue and interact with neurons, what’s stopping smaller, toxic ones from doing the same?!

The study was investigated further to find how blood proteins found in animal albumin affect brain tissue. Scientists exposed several rats to differing levels of cell phone radiation for two hours. Fifty days after the exposure, it was found that about 2% of rats’ brain cells that were exposed to 0.1 watt or greater were dead or dying due to the accumulation of albumin in the brain.

Of course, there are a few differences between rats and humans, and it is difficult to apply such findings to cell phone use in the real world. Thankfully, Dr. L Hardell of Sweden’s University Hospital, Department of Oncology performed a study researching the cellular and cordless phone use of people who were healthy and those who had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Hardell and his team found that for every 100 hours of cell phone use, the risk of brain cancer increases by 5%, and that there is a 280% increased risk of brain cancer after ten years.

Although it may seem daunting, no one is telling you to get rid of that Blackberry. A slight change in your everyday use of that Blackberry, on the other hand, is recommended. The 3 billion cell phone users worldwide could increase the use of land lines, if available, cut unnecessary talk, text, and web browser time, and/or invest in a reliable hands-free device, even if you look a little crazy talking to yourself.

But even with these precautions, there is one group that should definitely be a bit more concerned with published reports. Today, 71% of teenagers in the US own a cell phone, and 51% of them talk to their friends on it every day. About 2 out of 5 teenagers, regardless of cell phone ownership, send text messages on a daily basis. Teenagers are the most active cell phone users out of any demographic, making them the most susceptible to RF fields. Not only is their excessive cell phone use a danger, but also their young, developing neurological system is more conductive to radiation than that of adults. Also, due to their thinner skull and smaller head size, RF penetration is much greater than that of an adult brain (see below).

Finally, since even elementary schools these days have cell phone policies, it is clear that cell phone usage is becoming more prevalent at very young ages, which increases total lifetime exposure to RF fields. Since it is unlikely that teens will cut back on their cell phone usage on their own, it is recommended that parents set some limitations as to prevent dangerous levels of RF fields of accumulating over time. As a former rebellious teen, I know that this is easier said than done. Just remember that they’ll thank you in the long run.

So, as a dedicated owner of a cell phone, what do I think? From EWG’s report, it is apparent that as technology progresses to give us “genius” phones, radiation emissions, unfortunately, increase proportionately. I do take into consideration the published reports out there regarding the ill effects of RF fields, and recommend everyone to limit their cell phone exposure. There are a number of other communication methods, and even though it's hard to believe, people still have land lines in their homes and offices. Hell, I may even start using that embarrassing Bluetooth earpiece that has been buried deep in my glove compartment for the past year. Still, although the evidence is convincing, the reported findings are far from definite and numerous health organizations and the FDA strongly state that there is "no reason for concern." Ultimately, I do believe it's better to be safe than sorry, but will I be handing over my iPhone for a RAZR anytime soon…over my dead body.