Cell
Phones Vs. Cancer Debate Continues
The Hindu
Journalist: Anand Parthasarathy
December 20, 2000
The results
of an authoritative study probing the possible links between brain cancer and
the use of mobile phones, will gladden the hearts of telecom manufacturers,
while confusing lay users worldwide.
The Journal
of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in the latest issue released today,
carries results of a study funded by a wireless industry group and the
National Cancer Institute in the U.S. concludes: ``Our data suggest that use
of hand held cellular telephones is not associated with risk of brain
cancer...'' However, the study was limited to men and women who have been
using such phones for three years or less. The paper authored by doctors,
Joshua Muscat, Mark Malkin and six others, says further studies are needed to
take account for longer periods of usage.
However,
widespread public unease about the possible health hazards of prolonged mobile
phone usage has prompted the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) only
a few days ago to mandate that all cell phones sold in that country, should
carry a declaration of the radiation level of the instrument. Users can also
visit the FCC website to compare radiation levels of all commercial models. (www.fcc.gov)
How much is
too much - radiation-wise?
The FCC has
said a safe limit for radiation absorbed by the phone user's head is 1.6 watts
per kg - the standard absorption level (SAR) that may be absorbed by one gram
of human tissue. A 1998 study carried out by the U.S. Radiation Research
Society, ``Cell Phones and Cancer: What is the evidence for a connection?``,
concluded: ``Over all the existing evidence for a causal relationship between
radio frequency radiation and cancer is found to be weak to non-existent''.
However,
public interest groups have been quick to point out that the industry said the
same thing about microwave ovens - before overwhelming evidence proved that
they could be dangerous under some conditions. Mobile phones use radio waves
to send the signal back - and emit between 0.2 and 0.6 watts of energy. In
most phones these radiators are integral with the ear piece. The radiation
frequency is in a similar range to the microwave oven - which uses the
radiations to cook or heat the food.
The World
Health Organisation (WHO) has commissioned a large study extending over 10
countries to identify links, if any, between cancer and mobile phones - but
this will be completed only in 2003.
Meanwhile
some governments are unwilling to take the risk of waiting: Last week the
British Government launched a multi- million pound sterling initiative to
study the subject and also advised parents that children should not be given
cellular phones - since their risk might be greater than that faced by adults.
Worldwide
about 300 million people are known to be using mobile phones. The market for
such devices has seen a boom this year in India - and the number of cellular
phone users in the country stood at around 25 lakhs in June. However the
industry expects to add another 10 lakhs by year end, since prices of hand
sets are falling - the latest Internet-enabled models have been offered for Rs
4,000.
Indian users
by and large have not been advised either by manufacturers or the government
about the possible health hazards. Also, the mobile phones in use here are of
the digital type whereas in the U.S. where most studies have been done, the
majority of such phones are still of the older analog design. It is not known
if the two radiate in the same manner.
In the
absence of conclusive evidence, users have been advised to minimise possible
risk by not clapping the phone itself (which contains the radio transmitter)
to their ear-but rather holding it away and using a headphone-speaker
attachment to listen and talk. That way-you can use your ear, and have it too!
