Many people are concerned that cell phone radiation will cause cancer or other serious health hazards. The weight of scientific evidence has not linked cell phones with any health problems.
The primary concern with cellphones and cancer seems to be the development of brain tumors associated with cellphone use. Some research suggests a slight increase in the rate of brain tumors since the 1970s, but cellphones weren't in use during the 1970s. Instead, the subtle increases are more likely related to other factors — such as increased access to medical care and improvements in diagnostic imaging.
So what have researchers learned about cellphones and cancer? Here's an overview of various studies:
In one study that followed more than 420,000 cellphone users over a 20-year period, researchers found no evidence of a link between cellphones and brain tumors.
Another study found an association between cellphones and cancer of the salivary glands. However, only a small number of study participants had malignant tumors.
Another study suggested a possible increased risk of glioma — a specific type of brain tumor — for the heaviest cellphone users, but no increase in brain tumor risk overall.
"Research on the health effects from cell phone RFs on children is very limited since the use of cell phones by young people is a relatively new trend. Scientists are not yet sure what the health effects in children are from using a cell phone. While research continues in this area, many scientists feel that children may be more susceptible to harmful effects of RFs from cell phones for several reasons: • Pre-teen children have a smaller head and brain size, thinner skull bones, skin and ears. • Their nerve cells also conduct energy like RFs more readily than an adult’s or teenager’s nerve cells. • Children’s brains and nerves are also still developing so they are likely to be more sensitive to exposures of RFs. Today’s children have started to use cell phones at a younger age, therefore their lifetime exposure to cell phone RFs will likely be greater. As a result, the chances that a child could develop harmful health effects from using a cell phone for a long time may be greater."