When sophomore Ellen Harry answers her mobile phone, a device she uses for 30 minutes to an hour each day, she's usually not thinking about health, safety or rumored links between cancer and cell phones. "There are so many other things that have such a greater risk factor," she said, citing frequenting bars where patrons are smoking as an example.
Harry's sentiments are typical. For students who rely on wireless versions as their primary or only phones, the occasional study suggesting possible dangers is not enough to deter usage.
One such study, released last month, was conducted in Sweden at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Researchers found, after studying 750 individuals who had used cell phones for over ten years, that cell phone use increased a consumer's risk of developing a rare tumor on a nerve on the side of the head where the phone is normally held.
150 of the study's participants were already diagnosed with the tumor, called acousitc neuroma. Both this sample and the 600 participants without the tumor were questioned about their cell phone use. The risk for developing the tumor was nearly double for those participants whose cell phone usage began before their diagnosis and the tumor risk was almost four times higher on the side of the held where the phone was normally held, researchers told the Associated Press.
This particular study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, because of its longevity, focused on older analog phones. Wireless phones on the market today are digital models.
The Food and Drug Administration acknowledges on its Web site that "if there is a risk from these products [cell phones] -- and at this point we do not know that there is -- it is probably very small." However, the organization does offer citizens advice, if they are concerned with avoiding risks that might exist. To reduce the amount of exposure to radio frequency energy used by cell phones, the FDA suggests distancing your body from the source of energy. This might be done by using a headset and carrying the wireless phone away from the body.
Limiting usage of the devices entirely is also suggested if individuals are concerned about cell phone safety despite concluding studies to date.
Students have heard of other precautions as well. "I had a friend who worked at a cell phone company and they made their employees use a little filter [in the ear piece]," said sophomore Cliff Smoot. This anecdote has been essentially the only information that has made Smoot question the safety of wireless phones. "They [the company] never really said why. That's the only thing I've ever really heard."
Junior Ken Stewart is a one student who's heard of the cell phone cancer link, but he generally dismisses it. He does feel, however, that there should be more studies investigating the dangers of wireless phones. "I'd like to see more about it because I don't know much about it," he said. Stewart has owned a wireless phone for four years and currently uses it every day. "My impression is that its just people being paranoid, but I don't really know."
