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Kimberly Inga

BIO 1010

Cellular Studies

Can a common communication tool used in everyday life be deadly? This item in question is

known as a wireless cell phone that may have potential to cause certain types of cancers or health

problems. Mobile Radiation is found in cell phones and has been previously studied whether it causes any

harm to the body. However, limited research has been involved in confirming whether mobile radiation

does any harm to humans but there are approved studies that have shown in animals.

Radio waves can be absorbed into the human body. According to the National Cancer Institute,

“cell phones emit radiofrequency energy (radio waves), a form of non ionizing radiation, from their

antennas. Tissues nearest to the antenna can absorb this energy” (“Cell phones & Cancer Risk”2018).

This form of nonionizing radiation is low and does not have high ionization as other objects like x rays.

Therefore, it has been studied to be unharmful for adults but there could still be more assessments done

for children. The ​American Cancer Society​ Disclaimer (ACS) claims, “there could be some cancer risk

associated with radiofrequency energy, but the evidence is not strong enough to be considered causal and

needs to be investigated further” (NCI, 2018).

Little evidence is shown for health problems in humans, however, there have been some studies

with animals. ​In an article, “Radiation Effects of Mobile Phones and Tablets on the Skin”, indicate that

“exposure to radiation emitted by mobile phones caused skin changes in rats, as, increased thickness of

surface layer, vascular proliferation, impairment in collagen tissue and protein expression in human skin

in proteomics approach” ​(A.K, 2018). Thus, there have been some effect from radiation emitted from

phones into a living organism. Even so, mobile radiation has some effect in the body, according to

previous studies which claim how, “collagen tissue may increase in cells when exposed to mobile

radiation. Mobile phone radiation for one hour causes morphological changes and increased fibroblast
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activity of the skin” (A.K, 2018). Basing these statements as solid evidence that mobile radiation is not

harmful cannot be completely confirmed, still from the same article it explains that, “there is no

relationship between the use of mobile phones and skin cancer” (A.K, 2018).

In current times more children are exposed to technology than ever before. More and more

children are growing up watching screens from cell phones that contain radio frequency (RF). In an

article, “Cell Phones and Children”, by a nurse, Suzanne Rosenberg, states how RF can “reach more brain

tissue in children than in adults (due to thinner craniums)” (Rosenberg, 2013). RF can affect children

easier but there has not been any form of harmful causes in adults. In addition there have been studies that

do not rule out the possibility of phones as a cause for cancer. According to the International Agency for

Research on Cancer, an agency for the World Health Organization (WHO), “radiation from cell phones

can possibly cause cancer. The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same carcinogenic hazard

classification as lead, engine exhaust, and chloroform” (Rosenberg, 2013). Further examination currently

is still debated on both sides whether cell phones should be considered dangerous to the human body.

Without a doubt we cannot rule out the possibility of phones causing health problems in living

organisms. Even so, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claim, “that no scientific

evidence definitively answers whether cell phone use causes cancer” (“Cell Phones & Cancer Risk”

2018). From the evidence of cancer shown from rats we cannot rule out the possibilities. Nevertheless, in

an article,”How Big Wireless made us think that Cell phones are Safe”, by Hertsgaard and Dowie,

believed that “The absence of absolute proof does not mean the absence of risk” (Hertsgaard & Dowie,

2018). For all those reasons it might be better to be precocious when handling a cell phone for a long

period of time, especially around children.

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References

A., Keykhosravi, Neamatshahi M., Mahmoodi R., and Navipour E. 2018. "Radiation Effects of Mobile

Phones and Tablets on the Skin: A Systematic Review." ​Advances In Medicine, Vol 2018

(2018)Directory of Open Access Journals​, EBSCO​host​ (accessed July 3, 2018).

Gandhi, O. P., L. L. Morgan, A. A. de Salles, Y. Y. Han, R. B. Herberman, and D. L. Davis. 2012. "Exposure

Limits: The underestimation of absorbed cell phone radiation, especially in children."

ELECTROMAGNETIC BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE,​ 2012. 34. ​British Library Document Supply Centre

Inside Serials & Conference Proceedings​, EBSCO​host​ (accessed July 3, 2018).

HERTSGAARD, MARK, and MARK DOWIE. 2018. "HOW BIG WIRELESS MADE US THINK

THAT CELL PHONES ARE SAFE. (cover story)." ​Nation​ 306, no. 12: 14. ​MasterFILE

Complete​, EBSCO​host​ (accessed July 3, 2018).

N. (2018, February 16). Cell Phones and Cancer Risk. Retrieved July 07, 2018, from

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet

Rosenberg, Suzanne. 2013. "Cell Phones and Children: Follow the Precautionary Road." ​Pediatric

Nursing​ 39, no. 2: 65-70. ​CINAHL Complete,​ EBSCO​host​ (accessed July 3, 2018).