Cell Phone Safety
Brain Tumor Rates Rising in the US: Cell Phones & Cordless Phones
Since the year 2000, the U.S. has experienced significant increases in the age-adjusted incidence rates of four head and neck tumors associated with cell phone use, including the most serious malignant brain tumor (glioblastoma), a non-malignant tumor on the outer covering of the brain (meningioma) and cancers of the salivary and thyroid glands.
Among youth less than 20 years of age, nonmalignant meningioma and thyroid cancer significantly increased. Whereas the size of the population in the U.S. increased 16% between 2000 and 2019, the number of cases reported in the National Cancer Institute’s SEER 22 registry for these four tumors had a greater increase: a 53% increase for glioblastoma, 124% for non-malignant meningioma, 52% for salivary gland cancer, and 132% for thyroid cancer.
The increase in age-adjusted incidence rates for these four tumors is likely attributable to the chronic effects of mobile phone use in addition to other factors including improvements in screening.
The tumor incidence rate data we report are from the SEER 22 Registry which covers 48% of the total U.S. population. The data were age-adjusted to the population in the year 2000 so observed differences over time are not affected by changes in the age composition of the population.
Cell Phone Facts
In 2011 the World Health Organization (WHO) classified cell phone radiation as a Class 2B Carcinogen “possibly carcinogenic to humans”—in the same category as lead, engine exhaust, DDT, titanium dioxide, and jet fuel. The evidence has increased since then.
The United States National Toxicology Program Study (NTP 2018) found "clear evidence" for cancer from cell phone radiation.
The Italian Ramazzini Study (2018) found "clear evidence" for cancer from cell phone radiation.
The FCC's wireless radiation "safety guidelines" have not been updated since 1996. In a historic legal decision (EHT et al. v. the FCC), United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit judges have ordered the FCC to explain why it ignored scientific evidence showing harm from wireless radiation which is emitted from cell phones.
The FCC conducted smartphone tests and found that human radiation "exposure limits were exceeded, but did not reveal these tests to the public or during the court case EHT et al. v. the FCC.
US Mobile operators have been unable to get insurance to cover liabilities related to damages from long term exposure to radiofrequency emissions (from cell phones and wireless devices) for over a decade.
Cell phone radiation (known as pulsed microwave radiation) damages sperm.
Pulsed microwave radiation emitted from cell phones pulses at a rate of 217 times per second as it enters the brain & body.
Read the Fine Print: Cell phone manufacturers warn users to keep cell phones at a distance away from the body.
Industry funded scientists warn that some 30% of their studies show harmful health effects from cell phone radiation - in contrast to the 70% of non-industry funded studies showing harmful health effects from cell phone radiation.
Scientists Quotes about Cell Phone Radiation
"An important lesson that should be learned from the NTP studies on cell phone radiofrequency radiation is that we cannot assume any current or future wireless technology is safe without adequate testing." - Dr. Ronald Melnick, Ph.D. Senior Toxicologist National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health.
“We conclude that there is clear evidence that RF radiation is a human carcinogen, causing glioma and vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). There is some evidence of an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, and clear evidence that RF radiation is a multi‑site carcinogen. Based on the Preamble to the IARC Monographs, RF radiation should be classified as carcinogenic to humans, Group 1.” Dr. Lennart Hardell, MD, Ph.D.
"Do you really want to have to prove that there is an increased risk of brain cancer from mobile phone radiation before taking precautionary steps to prevent that harm from happening." Dr. Devra Davis, Ph.D., MPH.
“We should not wait. The science is now clear and compelling, indicating that wireless technology is harmful to health, especially for children. Wireless radiation is repeating the history of lead, tobacco and DDT.” Dr. Devra Davis, Ph.D., MPH.
"Cell phone industry may not admit that there are harmful effects just like cigarette industry. People have to unite to convince policy makers to adopt stricter radiation norms to protect people, birds, animals, trees, plants and environment." Professor Girish Kumar
"There is a 400% increase in the risk of brain cancer among teenagers due to excessive use of smart phones. Such radiation is causing irreversible damage to the human DNA, especially of youngsters. It is also responsible for a steep increase in sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease." Professor Girish Kumar
“Given the human, animal and experimental evidence, I assert that, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, the probability that RF exposure causes gliomas and neuromas is high.” Christopher Portier, PhD
“The majority of animal and cell studies have found nonionizing RFR can induce oxidative stress- a key characteristic of human carcinogens and a way that RFR can initiate or promote tumor development as well as play a role in the development of other diseases. Recent experimental and epidemiological studies indicate that RFR also induces cancers of the thyroid and breast. DNA damage and cancer in these state of the art studies signal the need for the public to reduce exposures to RFR now.” Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD
“As a research scientist and physician who studies how microwave radiation affects the outcomes of pregnancy, I am deeply concerned about growing exposures to cell phone and other wireless radiation.” Hugh Taylor, MD, PhD
"We don't need to prove the existence of harm in order to recommend less exposure. Better safe than sorry." Henry Lai, PhD
Are Cell Phones a Health Risk?
According to Dr. Andrew Marino, "the mobile phone companies have done a great disservice by hiding the fact that the signal can lead to disease. When you look back at the cigarette companies, they didn't willingly disclose the fact that their product causes cancer - and I think the mobile phone companies are making exactly the same mistake today."
To watch videos about Dr. Andrew Marino discussing the question of health risk due to mobile phone radiation, please click the links below:
EMF and Cell Phone Harmful Health Effects
"We know that there is a massive literature, providing a high level of scientific certainty, for each of eight pathophysiological effects caused by non-thermal microwave frequency EMF exposures." Dr. Martin Pall, Ph.D.
The scientific literature shows that electromagnetic field radiation, including pulsed microwave radiation emitted by cellphones:
1. Attack our nervous systems including our brains leading to widespread neurological/neuropsychiatric effects.
2. Attack our endocrine (hormonal) systems.
3. Produce oxidative stress and free radical damage, which have central roles in essentially all chronic diseases.
4. Attack the DNA of our cells, producing single strand and double strand breaks in cellular DNA and oxidized bases in our cellular DNA. These in turn produce cancer and also mutations in germ line cells which produce mutations in future generations.
5. Produce elevated levels of apoptosis (programmed cell death), events especially important in causing both neurodegenerative diseases and infertility.
6. Lower male and female fertility, lower sex hormones, lower libido and increased levels of spontaneous abortion and attack the DNA in sperm cells.
7. Produce excessive intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i and excessive calcium signaling.
8. Attack the cells of our bodies to cause cancer. Such attacks are thought to act via 15 different mechanisms during cancer causation.
Reference: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/105111823620505/3
How to Reduce your Cell Phone Radiation Exposure
To reduce your exposure to cell phone radiation, here are some steps you can take:
The most effective way to reduce your exposure to pulsed microwave radiation from cell phones is to get rid of the cell phone. Switch to a standard corded landline telephone.
Designate your corded landline telephone as your primary phone and mode of telecommunication.
If you must use a cell phone, limit your use to only 5 minutes per day (as recommended by Dr. Girish Kumar) and turn it all the way OFF when not in use. Get in the habit of using it only in case of emergency.
Make a personal commitment to greatly reducing and limiting the amount of time you spend on your cell phone.
Turn off as many apps and notifications as possible.
Never hold a cell phone to your head. Follow the manufacturer's warning to keep the cell phone at a distance away from your body.
Do not use Bluetooth or wired headphones. Instead, use air tube headphones for RF protection.
Never carry a cell phone against your body when it is on stand-by mode, or when talking on it. This warning comes directly from cell phone manufacturer.
Have airplane mode tested to be certain that it is working properly.
Do not use your cell phone in a car, elevator, or anywhere that is metal enclosed. The device works harder to find a signal. This means higher pulsed microwave radiation levels emitted.
Turn your cell phone OFF at night when you go to bed.
If your cell phone is not getting a signal, power it all the way OFF. It is working harder to try to find signal which is exposing you to greater levels of cell phone radiation.
Use speaker mode function and remember - distance is your friend.
Use a stylus pen - also called a capacitive stylus.
Never allow a child to use a cell phone. In fact, keep all mobile phones, tablets, and wireless devices away from children. These are not toys and children absorb more RF radiation than adults because their bodies are so much smaller.
Send short text messages instead of lengthy and seemingly endless text conversations. Use a stylus pen when texting. Remember: cell phone manufacturer's warn users to keep the device away from the body. Your hand is part of your body.
More information from the California Department of Public Health - How to Reduce Exposure to Radiofrequency Energy from Cell Phones and also from the Environmental Health Trust.
Smartphone Addiction symptoms
According to Verizon, American's spend an average of 5.4 hours per day on their smartphones.
It is important to understand the symptoms of smartphone addiction. Some common symptoms of smartphone addiction are:
You get a feeling of anxiety when your phone isn't in reach or you don't have cell phone service. This has become known as Nomophobia.
Your smartphone interferes with your daily activities, chores, and tasks.
Your smartphone usage has ruined your vacation with family, or spoiled social events with friends.
You've experienced injuries or harmful health effects due to smartphone usage, such as neck pain or eye strain.
You lose a sense of time due to smartphone distractions.
You feel withdrawn from the physical world, distancing yourself from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy.
Smartphone usage has put an important relationship or your professional career in jeopardy.
You have tried to limit your smartphone usage but haven't succeeded.
The first thing you do in the morning when you wake up is reach for your smartphone.
You are constantly checking your smartphone.
You are compulsively texting.
You rely on your smartphone for everything.
Your smartphone runs your life, and you have surrendered yourself to it.
You can't remember the last time you went poop without your smartphone with you.
Here are some resources and links for help with smartphone addiction:
Restart Center - Limit your device not your life.
Camp Grounded - Digital Detox
The information contained on the EMF Consultation website is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide any medical advise, diagnose any illness or disease, or replace the relationship you have with a licensed medical physician or health care provider.
Please read the EMF Consultation Service Terms of Use, and Disclaimer.
Watch the 2 Part Documentary:
PART 1: How the Wireless Industry Convinced the Public Cellphones are Safe.
PART 2: How Big Wireless War-Gamed the Science on Risks, While Making Customers Addicted to their Phones.
Please read the EMF Consultation Service Terms of Use, and Disclaimer.