In recent years, research has come to light that suggests cellphones may possibly carry a risk of inducing radiation poisoning and as a result, some cellphone providers have responded by providing customers with information about the dangers of radiation.
Sanford School of Medicine vice-chairman of Internal Medicine David Rossing said while he advises caution, solid evidence of a link between cellphones and health complications isn’t there yet.
‘It’s prudent to be careful to try and minimize the amount of time you’re on a cellphone,’ Rossing said. ‘But we still don’t know for sure how risky it is.’
According to the FDA, the potential risk lies in how the phone receives radio waves and how much of that radio frequency is absorbed by the body, known as specific absorption rate. In the United States FCC regulations state phones can’t exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram while Europe allows up to 2 watts per kilogram.
The FCC has had this requirement since 2000.
However, these rates aren’t constant and are known to fluctuate. The fear is prolonged exposure could lead to complications such as brain tumors.
Sophomore Alex Heying said he’s not worried about the cancer link and is a bit skeptical that cellphones can cause health problems.
‘That’s been the speculation for years,’ Heying said. ‘It’s not like I always have my cellphone attached to my head so I’m not very worried about it.’
Vermillion Wireless World manager Shawn Boese said more information has recently become available for customers regarding radiation and cellphones.
Despite the reports of cellphone radiation, Boese said it hasn’t been a large concern among customers.
‘We have done research for customers and tried to find out what the best models are,’ Boese said. ‘But it’s on a personal preference basis whether someone is concerned or not.’
Freshman Jennifer Schilling said it’s hard to believe that cellphones could be unhealthy but is willing to look a little deeper.
‘It seems like a far-fetched idea to me that radiation from a cellphone could give you cancer,’ Schilling said. ‘But I may have to look into this before I buy a new phone.’
According to the Environmental Working Group, who tested more than 1,200 on- and off-the-market cellphone models in 2009, the phone known to emit the least radiation currently on the market is the Samsung Impression at 0.15-0.35 watts per kilogram. The worst currently on the market are the Motorola MOTO VU204, Kyocera JAX S1300 and the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, which were all rated at 1.55 watts per kilogram.
The EWG Web Site recommends people use headsets or hands-free models as well as texting to avoid overexposure. Even with this information, Rossing said solid answers are still not available.
‘I think they should be aware that it’s at least a theoretical concern,’ Rossing said. ‘It could be another ten to twenty years before we have enough data, but I don’t expect a definitive answer anytime soon.’
Reach reporter Rob Nielsen at Rob.Nielsen@usd.edu.
