The AFU and Urban Legend Archive
Medical
 cell phones brain cancer




From: drosenba@panix.com (Daniel Rosenbaum)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Cellular Phones & Cancer
Date: 20 Jan 1995 13:30:18 -0500

In article <3fmudf$3v4@stork.qut.edu.au>, Darryl Rees <D.Rees@qut.edu.au> wrote:
>I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but whatever happened to the
>`scare' (or jubilation, in some quarters) about cellular phones causing
>cancer via em radiation? Seemed to be too good to be true at the time, almost
>like `acting like a yuppie arsehole causes heart disease and strokes'.

Mark it "not proven."

There are two US lawsuits pending alleging a link between cellular phones and brain cancer. The Cellular Telephone Industry Association has assembled a Scientific Advisory Group tbrough the Harvard University School of Public Health to investigate the claims. The group is chaired by a Dr. George Carlo. It is currently accepting applications for research protocols, and expects to have completed studies in a one to four-year time frame.

While there is plenty of research on the disruptive effects of high-energy (ionizing) radiation, and on the heating effects of low-energy (non-ionizing) radiation, there is scant research on the disruptive effects of non-ionizing radiation, which is where cellular transmissions fall. Small wonder, since until pocket phones were invented, people tended not to put microwave transmitters next to their skulls.

Of interest is the fact that European cell phones, which work on a standard called GSM, operate with up to twice the power of the US standard, called AMPS. Does that make a difference? Dunno -- GSM phones work on a higher frequency, too, which make the data difficult, if not impossible to compare.

There's a growing body of evidence that GSM phones screw with medical equipment, though. Many hospitals are telling people to turn off their phones in critical care areas, which is why doctors are waiting for the rollout of PCS services (Personal Communcations Services) in 1996; PCS phones generate less power and less RF interference.

None of this addresses the question of the possible toxicity of cell sites. This, too, remains unclear, though TV news programs will occassionally show angry parents and distraught kids claiming headaches because of a cell antenna that's been there for years. Oh, please....

dan rosenbaum
editor
mobile office magazine


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