Cell phone safety

Cancer is a scary topic, so when studies pop up suggesting links between routine activities and getting cancer, I pay attention. A recent story was on a Swedish study that found a higher risk of brain tumors among long-term cell phone users.

The study by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life defined heavy cell phone use as "2,000 plus hours, which corresponds to 10 years' use in the work place for one hour per day."   Our wireless columnist Craig Mathias, who's been following wireless technology for years, doesn't see reason for concern with this study, nor has he seen any study that conclusively proves a link between brain tumors and cellphone use, and he has his doubts that one will be found. But he advises using common sense just like you would with any risky behavior like sun-bathing or eating a diet that's high in fat. "With decades of wireless technology now under our belts, we should have seen something that correlates by now. I don't think we will, but we should keep trying," he says. 

Given the concern and the contradictory results with other studies, the FDA plans to evaluate all the research on cellphone use and look for gaps that warrant further study. I'm not a big cellphone user, but I would be relieved to get a conclusive answer.