Cellphones Increase Risk of Brain Cancer

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CELLPHONES INCREASES BRAIN CANCER RISK 1. There are concern that cell phones may cause cancer or other health problems? There are three main reasons why people are concerned that cell phones (also known as “wireless” or “mobile” telephones) may cause certain types of cancer or other health problems: * The number of cell phone users has increased rapidly. As of 2010, there were more than 303 million subscribers to cell phone service in the United States, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. This is an increase from 110 million users in 2000. Globally, the number of cell phone subscriptions is estimated to be 5 billion. * Over time, the number of cell phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the duration of use of cell phones have increased and cell phone technology has undergone substantial change. Cell phone use began in Japan in 1979, in Nordic countries in Europe in 1981, and in the United States in 1983, but cell phones were not widely used in the United States until the 1990s. * Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy (radio waves), which is a form of non-ionizing radiation. The tissues next to where the phone is held absorb this energy. Potential health effects of radiofrequency exposure from cell phones, radar, satellite stations, microwave ovens, and other sources have been studied for many years. 1. What is radiofrequency energy, how can it affect the body, and how is it measured in epidemiologic studies? Radiofrequency energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be divided into two types: ionizing (x-rays, radon, cosmic rays) and non-ionizing (radiofrequency, extremely low-frequency or power frequency). Ionizing radiation, such as that produced by x-ray machines, can pose a cancer risk. There is currently no consistent evidence that non-ionizing

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