What's the Latest on Wireless and Your Health? - Page 2

Page 2 of 2

What's unclear

With all the concerns about radiation and cell phone use, more research is needed to determine how long and how high body tissue can be heated before it leads to health repercussions, according to the NCI.

Bowman took part in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Interphone study on wireless dangers by 13 countries. The European Union funds the study, which collected data between 2002 and 2005. According to Bowman, research shows higher instances of brain tumors on the same side of the head as the cell phone is held, but the reasons are still unclear.

He also cited epidemiologic studies in Sweden that have found an increase in the rate of brain cancer for people who have used cell phones for 10 or more years. "Without the full results of the Interphone study for us to look at, there's still many unanswered questions as to what these statistical reports mean," he said.

The Interphone team is looking into whether RF energy causes brain, acoustic nerve and salivary gland tumors. Results haven't been announced. According to the NCI, countries involved in the Interphone survey are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Health Protection Agency Center for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards also performs ongoing research on the effects of Wi-Fi and RF signals. "The HPA's position is that there is no evidence at present that the health of the public, in general, is being adversely affected by the use of mobile phone technologies, but uncertainties remain and a continued precautionary approach to their use is recommended until the situation is further clarified," a spokesperson told InternetNews.com.

What's reason for concern

In addition to the worries about wireless waves on children, thermal heat exposure is a concern, according to Bowman. "When standards are exceeded with the maintenance of TV broadcast antennas or radio frequency plastic heat sealers, you get some tissue heating that can be very detrimental," Bowman said.

"Although the new wireless technologies in the workplace and homes do not heat tissue, we need to make sure they do not create some kind of non-thermal effect that may create a health risk," he added.

Other examples of wireless technologies that should be studied for health threats are the scanners for RFID tags on products in warehouses, he said.