Christopher Ketcham: Are cellular
phones safe or unsafe? Yes.
It's unresolved, but we shouldn't be
indifferent to the potential hazard.
By CHRISTOPHER KETCHAM, Los Angeles Times
Last update: March 2, 2010 - 10:42 AM
We love our digital gadgets. But there is
growing evidence of a dark side to the
techno-magic. Your cell phone, and any
other wireless device that depends on
electromagnetic (EM) microwave radiation,
may be hazardous to your health.
Most of the bad news comes from major labs
and research institutions in Europe. They're
reporting that using cell phones and Wi-Fi
transmitters can have biological effects on
the brain and body.
The scientific debate remains heated and far
from resolved. But the research to date
suggests a number of chilling possibilities.
For example, in 2008, neuroscientists at
Swinburne University of Technology in
Australia strapped Nokia phones to subjects'
heads, then turned the phones on and off.
On -- the brain's alpha waves spiked. Off --
phones safe or unsafe? Yes.
It's unresolved, but we shouldn't be
indifferent to the potential hazard.
By CHRISTOPHER KETCHAM, Los Angeles Times
Last update: March 2, 2010 - 10:42 AM
We love our digital gadgets. But there is
growing evidence of a dark side to the
techno-magic. Your cell phone, and any
other wireless device that depends on
electromagnetic (EM) microwave radiation,
may be hazardous to your health.
Most of the bad news comes from major labs
and research institutions in Europe. They're
reporting that using cell phones and Wi-Fi
transmitters can have biological effects on
the brain and body.
The scientific debate remains heated and far
from resolved. But the research to date
suggests a number of chilling possibilities.
For example, in 2008, neuroscientists at
Swinburne University of Technology in
Australia strapped Nokia phones to subjects'
heads, then turned the phones on and off.
On -- the brain's alpha waves spiked. Off --
the brain settled. The researchers speculated
that the effect was the result of the brain
"concentrating to overcome the electrical
interference in brain circuits caused by the
pulsed microwave radiation."
Swedish neuro-oncologist Leif Salford,
chairman of the department of neurosurgery
at Lund University, has found that cell phone
radiation kills brain cells in rats, especially
those cells associated with memory and
learning. The damage occurred after an
exposure of just two hours. Salford also
found that cell phone microwaves produce
holes in the barrier between the circulatory
system and the brain in rats. One potential
outcome is dementia.
Meanwhile, Austrian researchers reported in
2004 that cell phone radiation can induce
double-strand breaks in DNA, one of the
undisputed causes of cancer.
So why isn't this a bigger issue in the United
States? Partly because there are
countervailing studies and other scientists
telling us not to be worried, or that we just
don't know enough to say that the risks are
real.
Consider the biggest study being done on the
question of whether cell phones cause
that the effect was the result of the brain
"concentrating to overcome the electrical
interference in brain circuits caused by the
pulsed microwave radiation."
Swedish neuro-oncologist Leif Salford,
chairman of the department of neurosurgery
at Lund University, has found that cell phone
radiation kills brain cells in rats, especially
those cells associated with memory and
learning. The damage occurred after an
exposure of just two hours. Salford also
found that cell phone microwaves produce
holes in the barrier between the circulatory
system and the brain in rats. One potential
outcome is dementia.
Meanwhile, Austrian researchers reported in
2004 that cell phone radiation can induce
double-strand breaks in DNA, one of the
undisputed causes of cancer.
So why isn't this a bigger issue in the United
States? Partly because there are
countervailing studies and other scientists
telling us not to be worried, or that we just
don't know enough to say that the risks are
real.
Consider the biggest study being done on the
question of whether cell phones cause
cancers of the brain, mouth and ear -- the
13-country Interphone study conducted
under the auspices of the International
Agency for Research on Cancer in France.
The study has been fraught with controversy.
The multinational researchers--U.S.
scientists conspicuously not among them --
have fallen into warring camps, and the full
study has not been released.
However, pieces have been made public. One
Interphone study, for example, found that
after a decade of cell phone use, the chance
of getting a brain tumor goes up as much as
40 percent for adults. But still other
Interphone researchers say their data show
no increase in tumors caused by cell phone
use.
The cell phone industry lobby, CTIA -- the
Wireless Association, recently said in a
statement that "peer-reviewed scientific
evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that
wireless devices do not pose a public health
risk." Meanwhile, watchdog groups keep it
vague. "The available science," says the Food
and Drug Administration, "does not allow us
to conclude that mobile phones are
absolutely safe, or that they are unsafe."
So whom to believe, and what to do?
13-country Interphone study conducted
under the auspices of the International
Agency for Research on Cancer in France.
The study has been fraught with controversy.
The multinational researchers--U.S.
scientists conspicuously not among them --
have fallen into warring camps, and the full
study has not been released.
However, pieces have been made public. One
Interphone study, for example, found that
after a decade of cell phone use, the chance
of getting a brain tumor goes up as much as
40 percent for adults. But still other
Interphone researchers say their data show
no increase in tumors caused by cell phone
use.
The cell phone industry lobby, CTIA -- the
Wireless Association, recently said in a
statement that "peer-reviewed scientific
evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that
wireless devices do not pose a public health
risk." Meanwhile, watchdog groups keep it
vague. "The available science," says the Food
and Drug Administration, "does not allow us
to conclude that mobile phones are
absolutely safe, or that they are unsafe."
So whom to believe, and what to do?
First, consider research done by Henry Lai, a
biologist at the University of Washington:
Only 25 percent of studies funded by the
wireless industry show some type of
biological effect from microwave radiation.
Independently funded studies, however, are
far more damning: 75 percent of those
studies -- free of industry influence -- show
a bioeffect.
Obviously, we need to demand more
independent research into microwave
radiation. In the meantime, we should also
treat cell phones and other wireless gadgets
with less adoration and more suspicion, and
as individuals we may want to follow the lead
of many nations and regulate the way we use
them for ourselves.
For example, Belgium, France, Finland,
Germany, Russia and Israel have publicly
discouraged use of cell phones by children.
France has gone so far as to issue a
generalized national cell phone health
warning, banned cell phones in elementary
schools and considered outlawing marketing
the phones to children.
The personal equivalent? For starters, don't
get rid of your land line. Buy a hands-free
device; keep your cell phone away from your
head, face and neck. Don't carry it in your
biologist at the University of Washington:
Only 25 percent of studies funded by the
wireless industry show some type of
biological effect from microwave radiation.
Independently funded studies, however, are
far more damning: 75 percent of those
studies -- free of industry influence -- show
a bioeffect.
Obviously, we need to demand more
independent research into microwave
radiation. In the meantime, we should also
treat cell phones and other wireless gadgets
with less adoration and more suspicion, and
as individuals we may want to follow the lead
of many nations and regulate the way we use
them for ourselves.
For example, Belgium, France, Finland,
Germany, Russia and Israel have publicly
discouraged use of cell phones by children.
France has gone so far as to issue a
generalized national cell phone health
warning, banned cell phones in elementary
schools and considered outlawing marketing
the phones to children.
The personal equivalent? For starters, don't
get rid of your land line. Buy a hands-free
device; keep your cell phone away from your
head, face and neck. Don't carry it in your
Advertisement
pocket for hours on end.
Salford, the neuro-oncologist, has called the
unregulated use of cell phones by 4.5 billion
people worldwide "the largest human
biological experiment ever." It's only common
sense to do what you can to take yourself
out of the guinea pig pool.
Christopher Ketcham is the author of
"Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous
to Your Health" in February's GQ magazine.
He wrote this article for the Los Angeles
Times.
Salford, the neuro-oncologist, has called the
unregulated use of cell phones by 4.5 billion
people worldwide "the largest human
biological experiment ever." It's only common
sense to do what you can to take yourself
out of the guinea pig pool.
Christopher Ketcham is the author of
"Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous
to Your Health" in February's GQ magazine.
He wrote this article for the Los Angeles
Times.
cancers of the brain, mouth and ear -- the
13-country Interphone study conducted
under the auspices of the International
Agency for Research on Cancer in France.
The study has been fraught with controversy.
The multinational researchers--U.S.
scientists conspicuously not among them --
have fallen into warring camps, and the full
study has not been released.
However, pieces have been made public. One
Interphone study, for example, found that
after a decade of cell phone use, the chance
of getting a brain tumor goes up as much as
40 percent for adults. But still other
Interphone researchers say their data show
no increase in tumors caused by cell phone
use.
The cell phone industry lobby, CTIA -- the
Wireless Association, recently said in a
statement that "peer-reviewed scientific
evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that
wireless devices do not pose a public health
risk." Meanwhile, watchdog groups keep it
vague. "The available science," says the Food
and Drug Administration, "does not allow us
to conclude that mobile phones are
absolutely safe, or that they are unsafe."
So whom to believe, and what to do?
13-country Interphone study conducted
under the auspices of the International
Agency for Research on Cancer in France.
The study has been fraught with controversy.
The multinational researchers--U.S.
scientists conspicuously not among them --
have fallen into warring camps, and the full
study has not been released.
However, pieces have been made public. One
Interphone study, for example, found that
after a decade of cell phone use, the chance
of getting a brain tumor goes up as much as
40 percent for adults. But still other
Interphone researchers say their data show
no increase in tumors caused by cell phone
use.
The cell phone industry lobby, CTIA -- the
Wireless Association, recently said in a
statement that "peer-reviewed scientific
evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that
wireless devices do not pose a public health
risk." Meanwhile, watchdog groups keep it
vague. "The available science," says the Food
and Drug Administration, "does not allow us
to conclude that mobile phones are
absolutely safe, or that they are unsafe."
So whom to believe, and what to do?
First, consider research done by Henry Lai, a
biologist at the University of Washington:
Only 25 percent of studies funded by the
wireless industry show some type of
biological effect from microwave radiation.
Independently funded studies, however, are
far more damning: 75 percent of those
studies -- free of industry influence -- show
a bioeffect.
Obviously, we need to demand more
independent research into microwave
radiation. In the meantime, we should also
treat cell phones and other wireless gadgets
with less adoration and more suspicion, and
as individuals we may want to follow the lead
of many nations and regulate the way we use
them for ourselves.
For example, Belgium, France, Finland,
Germany, Russia and Israel have publicly
discouraged use of cell phones by children.
France has gone so far as to issue a
generalized national cell phone health
warning, banned cell phones in elementary
schools and considered outlawing marketing
the phones to children.
The personal equivalent? For starters, don't
get rid of your land line. Buy a hands-free
device; keep your cell phone away from your
head, face and neck. Don't carry it in your
biologist at the University of Washington:
Only 25 percent of studies funded by the
wireless industry show some type of
biological effect from microwave radiation.
Independently funded studies, however, are
far more damning: 75 percent of those
studies -- free of industry influence -- show
a bioeffect.
Obviously, we need to demand more
independent research into microwave
radiation. In the meantime, we should also
treat cell phones and other wireless gadgets
with less adoration and more suspicion, and
as individuals we may want to follow the lead
of many nations and regulate the way we use
them for ourselves.
For example, Belgium, France, Finland,
Germany, Russia and Israel have publicly
discouraged use of cell phones by children.
France has gone so far as to issue a
generalized national cell phone health
warning, banned cell phones in elementary
schools and considered outlawing marketing
the phones to children.
The personal equivalent? For starters, don't
get rid of your land line. Buy a hands-free
device; keep your cell phone away from your
head, face and neck. Don't carry it in your
Advertisement
pocket for hours on end.
Salford, the neuro-oncologist, has called the
unregulated use of cell phones by 4.5 billion
people worldwide "the largest human
biological experiment ever." It's only common
sense to do what you can to take yourself
out of the guinea pig pool.
Christopher Ketcham is the author of
"Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous
to Your Health" in February's GQ magazine.
He wrote this article for the Los Angeles
Times.
Salford, the neuro-oncologist, has called the
unregulated use of cell phones by 4.5 billion
people worldwide "the largest human
biological experiment ever." It's only common
sense to do what you can to take yourself
out of the guinea pig pool.
Christopher Ketcham is the author of
"Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous
to Your Health" in February's GQ magazine.
He wrote this article for the Los Angeles
Times.
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