Even Experts Are Unsure: Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

Eighteen months ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA published new guidelines regarding the dangers of radiation from cell phones, stating that "we recommend caution when using a cell phone."

For some reason, after a few weeks, the CDC changed its stance. It no longer recommended caution and deleted a paragraph specifically addressing risks to children. Did their opinion change, or are internal interests driving the policy change?

The "New York Times" received over 500 pages revealing deep disputes between scientists and health authorities regarding the guidance to be provided to the public.

(Illustrative photo: shutterstock)

The documents reveal disagreements about the wording urging citizens to be cautious with cell phone use. Bernadette Burden, spokesperson for the CDC, stated that the changes were due to "an effort by the CDC to make health information easier for the public to understand, but it confused people into thinking the CDC was issuing new policy. To correct this misunderstanding and ensure the CDC had not altered any policy or recommendations, we issued a clarification," explained Burden.

Christopher Portier, former director at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a division of the CDC that decided on the changes, disagrees with the decision to modify the version. "I support the recommendation for parents to carefully consider if their children need a cell phone or not." According to Portier, there are enough indicators to warrant caution.

Others disagree with his opinion. While there have been warnings about a link between cell phones and cancer for decades, most American organizations echo the Federal Communications Commission's (FTC) statement, which claims that electromagnetic energy is not actually linked to known health problems. John Boice Jr., President of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, said his research found "no evidence of any link to brain tumors or other types of cancer."

The European Environment Agency advises keeping the phone away from the head. Cardis, conducting a large study in Europe on the potential risks of using cell phones among children, ensures the use of headphones or a speakerphone or sends text messages. "If there is a risk, it is mainly from use at a younger age," she says. "Only because children's skulls and ears are thinner than adults'. The phone is essentially closer to the brain."