1. The Health Effects of Cell Phones Lara Zade

2. Research Questions What are the possible health effects caused by using cell phones? What kind of energy do cell phones emit, and does this emission cause cancer? Is the risk of negative health effects from cell phones greater if you live closer to a tower? Is the risk of negative health effects from cell phones greater within children?

3. Possible Health Effects Due to Cell Phones Here are a few illnesses and ailments that have potential links to cell-phone radiation: Cancer Brain tumors Alzheimer's Parkinson's Fatigue Headaches

4. RF Energy Radio frequency energy. Form of radiation Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Produces heat that may damage the body. Currently agreed upon that the level is not dangerous. No long term studies have been conducted. What kind of energy do cell phones emit?

5. Can RF energy cause cancer? Biological effects caused by RF energy are a result from the heating of body tissue The effects are often referred to as "thermal" effects It has been known for many years that exposure to very high levels of RF radiation can be harmful due to the ability of RF energy to heat biological tissue rapidly (the principle by which microwave ovens cook food) Tissue damage and cancer growth in humans could occur during exposure to high RF levels because of the body's inability to cope with or dissipate the excessive heat that could be generated At relatively low levels of exposure to RF radiation (levels lower than those that would produce significant heating, which are what cell phones emit) the evidence for production of harmful biological effects is ambiguous and unproven

6. Why is RF Energy a concern? Increasing cell phone usage. 110 million users worldwide in 2002. 180 million users worldwide in 2005. Estimated 2.2 million users worldwide in 2010.

7. This graph shows that the number of cell phone users has dramatically increased from virtually zero users in 1985 to 110 million users in 2001. Therefore, if RF energy truly does yield harmful effects to humans, more people are going to be affected.

8. Factors that affect the level of exposure to RF energy Number and length of calls Amount of cell phone traffic Distance from nearest base Quality of call Size of the phone/antenna

9. Source of RF Energy Main source is cell phone antenna The closer a cell phone is to the user’s head, the higher the RF energy levels. Hands-free headsets reduce RF energy emitted.

10. The Relationship Between Radiation and Distance from the Cell Phone Tower The farther you are from the nearest cell phone station, the higher the power needed to maintain a connection by the cell phone. In addition, greater distances from the cell phone tower cause the cell phone to emit greater amounts of RF energy.

11. Is the risk higher if you live closer to a tower? No RF energy is not emitted by cell phone towers. It is emitted by cell phone antennas. Just living near a tower does not affect you; the amount of RF energy given off depends on the distance the phone is from the nearest cell phone tower.

12. Does RF energy affect children more than adults? No evidence that there are greater effects on children. However, no studies have included children. Children have thinner skulls and developing nervous systems. If RF energy does cause cancer, children would be at a higher risk than adults.

13. Effects On Children vs. Adults Cell phones emit signals via radio waves, which are comprised of radio- frequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

14. Studies Short term studies show cell phone usage is unrelated to cancer. No long term studies have been conducted. Brain tumors develop over a long period, therefore short term studies are not completely effective.

15. FDA Recommendations Limit use of cell phones Hands-free headsets

16. Sources William Thomas’ web page: www.willthomas.net (He is a well- renowned Canadian journalist) National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell -phone-radiation.htm Mobile Telephones PDF http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf- faqs.html#Q5