MYTH: Cell phone use causes cancer. FACT: some probability.

In my line of work, hydrocarbons (O&G), I was taught that when dealing with radioactive sources (for at least at the very basic level), there will be two ways for not getting sick: (a) for extremely high radioactive levels do not get nearby the source at all – leave this work for professional handlers trained for this kind of jobs. (b) for radioactive low levels do not expose yourself for too long to these devices - and if you must, do it for the minimum period of time as possible.

You see, radioactivity exposure depends on both time of exposure and intensity of radioactive level. Still, as a priority, stay away from these sources.

What does this have to do with the use of cellular phones, cellphones, mobiles, etc?

Making calls, exchanging messages, checking your mail and sending documents or taking photos and sharing them on social networks, are examples of the multiple tasks that the cell phone facilitates. However, its utility was questioned when it was stated that its use raises the risk of suffering from different types of cancer. To know the myths and realities in this subject, keep on reading.

1)Myth: Frequent cell use causes cancer and that is for real!
Fact: The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which reports to the World Health Organization (WHO), classified the electromagnetic fields produced by cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans. However, another report in Denmark later revealed that it had not found any signs of danger after an extensive study that took into account the results obtained after analyzing more than 350,000 users. Despite this, WHO has kept the alert and has informed that it will continue studying the subject. In sum, one can speak of probability, not of certainty.

2)Myth: The cell causes cancer because its electromagnetic fields damage the tissues.
Fact: Mobile phones communicate with each other by emitting radio signals over fixed antenna networks known as base stations. These radiofrequency waves are electromagnetic fields like X-ray radiation, for example, but unlike them, they do not represent a potential hazard to humans.

It is known that the main consequence of the interaction between the radioelectric emission and the human body is the heating of the tissues. In the case of frequencies used by cell phones, most of the energy is absorbed by the skin and other surface tissues, so that the increase in temperature inside the skull or organs is insignificant and cannot be considered a factor of risk for developing cancer in the brain.

Although scientists have noted the adverse effects that radio waves have on the brains of animals, it is not clear yet what these data mean for humans.

Recall, for example, that studies on the human brain are limited to the use of non-invasive technologies, so they cannot open the brain for a live analysis, such as those used for the development of brain maps: magnetic resonance imaging, Electroencephalography or tomography, among others. These research support tools provide extensive information on brain activity, but lack the accuracy and sensitivity of those used for the same purpose in animals.

3)Myth: Cell phones cause cancer because people are always exposed to high levels of radiofrequency waves.
Fact: A cell phone only transmits power when it is switched on; the user's exposure to the radiofrequencies drops rapidly as the distance increases with this device.

This means that whoever handles the device within 30 cm or 40 cm of your body, for example, when writing text messages, surfing the internet or when using it in the hands-free mode, is much less exposed to radiofrequency fields than those that make calls in a traditional way.

Also, the use of the telephone in areas where there is good reception also leads to a decrease in the level of exposure, as the device thus transmits with use of less power.

4)Myth: It is impossible to reduce exposure to cellular (phone) energy.
Fact: In addition to using "hands-free" devices, a user can reduce exposure to the energy of the cell phone if the number of calls and their duration decreases.

5)Myth: Using a cell phone is a health risk.
Fact: There is no scientific study or test that demonstrates cause-effect relationship between the use of cell phones and the development of cancer in the brain. The only certainty, however, is that it is a real problem when used while driving, with or without hands-free function, as this practice significantly increases the risk of an automobile accident, which occurs with any cel. model. While driving your brain must at all time using 100% of its capacity to understand your surroundings and prevent incidents and accidents.

NOTE: recall the marketing campaigns, 50 or so years ago, pushing for smoking products; they went as far as saying that it was good for your throat. Now almost on the verge of disappearing. And it was all for the money. Perhaps same is ongoing with cellphones, an industry that makes millions of USD’s every second – does it harm us in any way? So far, some probability … will see in 50 or so years.

References:
http://www.who.int/en/
https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,,-187918,00.html
https://www.iarc.fr/
http://www.fisherclinic.com/
https://www.nist.gov/pml/radiation-physics/radioactivity

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