Mobile World

Most cellular providers give, or deeply discount, cell phones which they provide to customers at the time they commit to a two year contract. Without the cell phone plan however, the cost of a cell phone can be a few hundred dollars. Although getting a cell phone which is offered by the service provider is generally the most affordable option, there are a number of situations in which it really isn’t feasible. Whether a cell phone is lost or damaged and requires replacement before the start of a new contract period, the user has a need which is more temporary, or if an additional phone is needed beyond that which was provided, consumers sometimes find themselves looking for less expensive alternatives.

For those interested in finding a cell phone for short term purposes there are of course alternatives out there.

Renting a cell phone is an option that could be worth the attention of those who wish to make use of a cell phone without committing to a cell phone plan for a couple of years. For Ray and Connie McCord, this option was the right fit a year ago when Ray had to go out of state for business for an extended stint. In their case, cellular services weren’t even part of their lives and they didn’t want to commit to the expense of the service for an ongoing two year period. The convenience of having a cell phone while Ray was away however was invaluable, allowing Connie to easily reach him even during hours when he wouldn’t be in his hotel room. Luckily, by renting a cell phone during this time, they avoided the lengthy commitment but were able to take advantage of the convenience of continuous accessibility that cell phones offer.

Finding the right service requires a bit of shopping online. A search on “rent cell phone” will result in a number of options. As an example rentcell.com can provide users with the use of a cell phone for any period of time, from one day to one year. Those considering such a route need to examine the cell phone plan that is offered just as they would if committing to a plan from a major carrier. In most instances, free long distance, no roaming, and a low per minute charge are key points to consider.

For those who travel internationally, renting an unlocked phone with a global roaming SIM card can be the perfect solution. In an online search, consumers will find services such as IntouchUSA which is available here in the US and allows travelers a hassle-free way to stay in touch.

For consumers who are simply looking for a less expensive cell phone minus a cell phone plan, used cell phones can be had through the numerous sites online that will buy, recycle, and sell old cell phones. One example is cellularcountry.com where users can pick up a used locked or unlocked cell phone with a 30 day guarantee. Phones can be selected to match up with a user’s current service or unlocked phones can be used internationally or with a variety of providers. The phones come with a battery and charger. Returns are allowed but refunds are minus a 20% restocking fee unless they arrived damaged. There are of course many other sites to select from, including of course, e-bay.

Although the commitment of a cell phone plan offers consumers the best savings when purchasing a cell phone as well as some of the highest quality equipment, there are certainly times when users need other options. Renting cell phones for short term needs and picking up inexpensive used cell phones to replace non-functioning devices are two possible options to consider.

Mobile Phones, more commonly known as Cellular Phones or Cell Phones are electronic gadgets that are portable and offer convenient means of communication. Cell phones combine technology with mobility in telecommunication. Over the years, cell phones had gained the interest of the public leading to extreme popularity making it the world’s most used means of communication. Nowadays, some people even prefer having cell phones than maintaining regular land lines due to its mobility, cost-efficiency, entertaining features and capacity to maintain a personal directory making it a multi-purpose gadget.

Current advancements in cell phones also allow sending of text messages via Short Message Service or SMS; and depending on the features that support the cell phone unit, pictures, music, videos and animated picture messages can also be forwarded or sent to other cell phone users via Multimedia Messaging Service. These features makes messaging and communication interesting, fun and engaging.

Communicating messages through calls, SMS and MMS via cell phone is possible anytime and anywhere provided that certain considerations are met including the availability of cell site, battery life and the features that support the cell phones. Cell phones are long-range electronic devices that connect to cellular network of base stations which have links to the public switched telephone networks making it a highly useful portable device.

Like in standard telephones, proper phone etiquettes should also be practiced when using a cell phone. Another concept of a cell phone is that it is personal. A cell phone contact number is more often than not, designated to one person. That is why when trying to get hold of a particular person, calling him through his cell phone guarantees higher chances of actually speaking to that person first hand than calling his office phone or residential phone number wherein other people may answer the call. Calling the cell phone number of the person you want to get in touch with saves time because it means calling the person directly.

Cell phones are powerful devices. Breakthrough innovation in communication was made possible using a cell phone device which is supported by the network provider wherein one can actually see the person on the other line. This led to the popularity of video cell phones or video phones. The world of cell phone advancements and technology make the world seem so small, and since e-mails and internet browsing are also made possible using cell phones, it adds convenience and enables one to save the time and energy in getting hold of a computer anytime and anywhere.

The technology of digital communication has literally revolutionized the way people are living their life now. The advent of cell phone technology has brought the distance barrier down to the lowest. Cell phones are no longer perceived as a prized possession of the well-off. It has found its way into the hands of every next person you witness around you.

With the huge of use of cellular phones, quite a few companies around the world have woken up the business potentiality of this digital device. As a result, cell phone manufactures are vying with each other to capture the most sizable segment of the cell phone consumers by offering the best cell phone services at the lowest possible price. Moreover, they are spending thousands of dollars on research and development to outdo each other in the race of offering the most advanced technology to the cell phone users.

On the flipside, the burgeoning use of cell phones around the planet has given rise to many threats that are associated with it. Starting from theft of cell phones to radiation effect, cell phones have unleashed an array of threats the cell phone users around the world must be careful about.

Following are some of the possibilities that you cell phone can be subjected to:

Theft: Swanky cell phones are an emerging fashion norm these days; without a doubt, equally rising is the number of cell phone theft cases. With high-end cell phones models being the desire of every ambitious executive, they also become the target of kleptomaniacs who can lift cell phones at the drop of a hat. Hence, the swankier your cell phone, the more vulnerable it can becomes to the possibility of being lifted. Always make sure that you don`t leave your cell phone away from you carelessly. Besides, you should immediately inform your cell phone service provider to block or suspend your account to avoid misuse of your cell phone.

Cloning: Cloning refers to the practice of illegally charging calls to someone else`s account. When it comes to Cloning, Analog cell phones are prone to be misused to a large extent. However, if you are using a Digital cell phone, you are mostly safe from this potential threat. Cloning, as a matter of fact, can drain your account. Hence, you need to be extra careful about thing factor.

Security: Since conversations through wireless devices are transmitted using radio frequencies, it is likely that anyone can eavesdrop on your private conversation using radio scanners. However, if you are using a digital wireless phone, you are less vulnerable. The reason why digital wireless conversation is secured is that its conversations are encoded and difficult for anyone to eavesdrop on.

Insurance: Insurance is the safest way to ensure that even if your cell phone is stolen, you are likely to be compensated for it. Even if you lose your phone, cell phone insurance provider will provide to cover the loss. However, the insurance services may differ from one service provider to another. Hence, before you take up the service of any particular service provider, just make sure that it is the best one around; at least for your specific purpose.

The above are some of the circumstances where any cell phone user can find themselves in. Buying a cell phone can be an exhilarating experience; however, not being careful about your proud possession can bring you countless agony. Hence, it is really important to take care of your cell phone and cell phone services to ensure that you lead peaceful life. Provide for your cell phone in such a way that it ensure security, safety and longevity of your of cell phone.

There has been a controversy for some time on the health risks that cell phones pose to humans through their use. While many have claimed most studies to be inconclusive a new recent study has been conducted that claims to have proven and shown an increase in cancer risks through the use of cell phones.
In Stockholm, Sweden a recent study conducted by the Karolinska Institute found that there was an increased risk of brain cancer in certain parts of the brain through the regular use of cell phones. The study consisted of 634 subjects over a two year period. Of the subjects 209 already had brain tumors and 425 were completely healthy. This most recent study took place over a 2 year period and showed that increased microwaves from the cell phones did indeed pose a health risk to the brain. Due to the small amount of subjects however a larger study is being done with 3,000 subjects with results due out late in 2009.
While it is not good to fall into a hysteria over every study, enough studies have been done on microwaves to prove that microwaves themselves can indeed pose serious health risks. Cell phones emit microwaves, it’s simple as that.
The FDA claims that cell phones pose no real serious threat to the public however the FDA allows drugs each year to be administered to the public that later get recalled for their dangerous side effects. Common sense will show you that the FDA is not always right when it comes to our safety, so using the FDA as a reliable source for safety information is not my first choice. I prefer to listen to the scientists rather than a government agency that in my opinion is flawed.
Without going into a panic and trashing your cell phone there are some steps to help reduce your microwave exposure from your cellular device. Following these steps may not entirely eliminate the risks but can significantly reduce them.
Step One – Trash Your Analog Phone
Okay, so I said don’t go trashing your cell phone in a panic. All I can say is oops. If you are using an analog cell phone you are increasing your microwave exposure by up to three times the normal compared to digital cell phone usage. If you have a concern for your health you will want to switch to a digital phone which has been shown to have a significant decrease in microwave exposure compared to analog.
Step Two – Use an Ear Piece or Bluetooth
This step has an obvious benefit. By using an ear piece you are directing the microwave exposure away from your head where the vulnerable area of the brains have been shown to have the risk factors. Ear pieces are fairly inexpensive ($20.00) and are considered more acceptable for driving use as well. Many laws have been passed requiring the use of earpieces during driving due to safety concerns so you actually are getting two birds with one stone here. Your cell phone may have even came with an ear piece already so now is the time to dust that baby off and take it for a run. Bluetooth can be pricier but the quality of communication is enhanced for talking in respects to earpieces.
Step Three – Check Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
SAR is the amount of radio waves absorbed by your body through cell phone use. The FCC has a regulation standard of 1.6 watts or lower per kilogram of flesh weight. Cnet did some recent research on actual SAR levels with cell phones and these were the overall winners for the lowest SAR levels:
CELL PHONE LIMIT SAR 1.6
LG KG800 SAR 0.135
Motorola Razr V3x SAR 0.14
Nokia 9300 SAR 0.21
Nokia N90 SAR 0.22
Samsung SGH-G800 SAR 0.23
Samsung Sync SGH-A707 SAR 0.236
Nokia 7390 SAR 0.26
Samsung SGH-T809 SAR 0.32
Samsung SGH-E910 SAR 0.33
Motorola Razr2 V8 SAR 0.36
Step Four – Don’t Give Kids Cell Phones
With so many studies and controversy over the cell phone slash brain cancer issue it is best to not have a young developing child own a cell phone. This is somewhat problematic because a cell phone can actually increase safety in respect to emergencies and parent to child contact. I say if you must give a child a cell phone make sure they use earpieces, have a cell phone lowest on the SAR level, and limit their use to emergencies.
Step Four – Reduce Usage
We have become reliant on our cell phones and perhaps it’s time we start using them less. This of course is a personal decision and relies on how important this issue is to you. Some call the issue a media scare while others claim it’s an urgent health issue. As a free American it is up to you to decide from the facts if a cell phone is causing you harm. I always say better safe than sorry and you have to admit, how urgent are most of your cell phone calls?

`Etiquettes maketh a man`, goes the famous saying. Indeed, it is very essential to be courteous to the people around us. However, many of us seem to be forgetful of the etiquettes at times. Among all kinds of etiquette errors that are commonly noticeable among people, lack of cell phone etiquette is growingly ubiquitous these days. As cell phones have entered the lifestyle of the common people, many are being increasingly found to be breaking the rules that apply to the society we live in.

This article introduces you to a number of cell phone etiquettes that every cell phone holder must be aware of. You will be surprised to find that not many of us are even familiar with all the mobile phone manners that are considered a must-know. Following is a list of behaviors that the cell phone users must know about.

Be Polite To The People Around You

There are places that you can`t escape from very easily. Hence, you should not use your cell phones for talking to people there. For instance, talking to someone on phone while you are using a lift can be considered impolite. Similarly, places like hospitals, public transports, job interviews, museums, funerals, places of worship, airplanes are also situations where you should not consider using you cell phones to talk with others. Since it is difficult to mention all the places where you should apply your cell phone etiquettes, you should use your common sense to choose situations. However, a 10-feet distance is usually considered as a norm if your call is too important to turn down.

Keep Your Volume Down

Many cell phone users usually leave their cell phone on with loud and outlandish ring tones even at places where others might easily get disturbed. Worse, they talk very loudly on their cell phones. Usually, all standard cell phones have been designed in a way to allow the user hear even wisher of the voice and similar sounds. Hence, it is unnecessary to talk in a louder voice with others. Should you feel that your voice is not audible to the person at the other end, choose a place away from others to talk on your cell phones. As mentioned earlier, usually a 10-feet distance will do. However, sometimes, the voice becomes inaudibly low due to the cell phone network error. Cancel the call and try dialing again in such situations.

Keep Your Conversation Brief and To The Point

There are situations too formal to take calls on your cell phones, and there are some calls too important to turn down. In such cases, you should ensure that you shorten your call as short as possible. However, gently excuse yourself from others while you decide to take that urgent call. Alternatively, you can activate the voicecall option on your cell phone, say during a meeting, to allow your callers to leave their messages for you.

Turn Off Your Cell Phone During Public Performances

Although these places are too obvious too talk about, many cell phone users still leave their cell phones switched on thereby causing unnecessary disturbance to others. Places like cinema theaters, plays, and ballets are a place for public entertainment where people come to refresh themselves. Pay respect to them and keep your cell phone either switched off or on vibration mode. If you want to receive or make a call during the show, you should leave your seat and go away from the earshot of the audience.

Take Off The Earpiece While You`re Not On Calls

Many cell phone users continue to wear their wireless earpiece accessory even when they are not on calls. Apart from looking awkward, it often makes others feel that you are not giving your entire attention to the people interacting with you. Make sure you take off your wireless earpiece device after you are done with your calls.

Taking care of your cell phone etiquettes can be extremely useful in building up a healthy personality and fortifying your social relationship. Therefore, you must observe them yourself apart from reminding others if you fell they are breaking the cell phone etiquettes, taking others for granted.

In today’s marketplace, there are so many cell phones and cell phone service providers that many consumers do not know one from another. This has led to the crime of cell phone fraud becoming more frequent.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) defines cell phone fraud as the unauthorized use, tampering, or manipulation of a cell phone or service. As this crime began to rise in the 1990s, the Wireless Telephone Protection Act was passed in 1998 to criminalize the use, possession, manufacture, or sale of hardware or software used to clone fraudulent cell phones. This cloning is a type of cell phone fraud.
Every cell phone has a unique factory-set electronic serial number (ESN) and its own telephone number. Certain people will illegally monitor radio transmissions from the cell phones of legitimate subscribers. These individual then can create a cloned cell phone, which is a cell phone that has been reprogrammed to transmit the serial number and phone number of another legitimate cell phone. As both the cell phone and its clone have the same identifying numbers, the cellular system can not distinguish the difference. The legitimate subscriber who owns the original cell phone will end up getting billed for calls from both the phones. The agency warns that if when you receive your monthly cell phone bill and there are charges on it that you do not recognize, you should contact your cell phone service provider immediately.
The cell phone manufacturers are helping in the fight against cell phone cloning by making improvements on their products to make the cell phones more resistant to reprogramming. These companies have had quite a bit of success with their efforts and some of them feel that the problem should be totally resolved in a few years..
Another type of cell phone fraud is subscriber fraud. This is basically another form of identity theft. The perpetrator uses someone else’s name and social security number to purchase a cell phone and sets up an account with a cell phone service provider. The charges for the phone and any calls that the person makes is billed to the person whose name is on the account. If you are the victim of subscriber fraud you should report it to the authorities immediately a well as contacting your cell phone company, although it will probably be a long and complicated process to get the situation straightened out.
As with any other types of identity theft, there are precautions that you can take. You should shred any documents that contain your personal information, such as old check stubs and bank statements. It is a proven fact that many of these thieves retrieve the information that they need to obtain someone else’s identity by going through that person’s trash. You should also avoid giving out your personal information to any company or Web site that asks for it, usually under the guise of a charity or a sweepstakes contest. You may also want to refrain from carrying your social security card around with you in your purse or wallet as well as any other documents that may have this all-important number written on them in case your purse or wallet is lost or stolen. If the thief does not have your social security number, he cannot steal your identity as easily.
Cell phone cloning has been decreasing with the help of the manufacturers but subscriber fraud is happening more and more frequently. Again, keeping your personal information protected can prevent you from being a victim of these identity thieves.

Now in most countries, almost everyone has at least one cell phone. It is reported that a lot of people become terribly dependent on this gadget. Some even find it uneasy to live without cell phones. And the rapid progress of cell phones also makes both wholesale cell phones and retail cell phones a promising trading. To earn the best market share, cell phone companies have been working painstakingly to improve their products or contribute new items. As a result, there are a tremendous variety of cell phones available different in brand names, designs, features, performance and prices.

Shopping a cell phone can be very hard if you have no idea how to buy one that you’ll enjoy using and showing around. Besides the brand name, there are a lot of aspects you may need to take into consideration when picking a cell phone. As it is widely acknowledged, a cell phone someone selects not only presents his or her practical demands for the cell phone, but also his or her personality. Normally, everyone would pick the ideal combination of brand names, designs, features and performance for a cell phone based on his or her taste.

Brand name

From Samsung, Motorola, Siemens to various other cell phone brand names, there are so many options to select from. If you are a brand follower, it will be quite easy to make the decision: just choose your favorite. If you don’t care about brand, ignore this aspect and go straightly to the following suggestions.

Design & Style

Now cell phones enjoy various designs or styles. From the masculine type to the cartoon type, from slim body to standard outlook, from slide to candy bar, from touch screen to keyboard, from the gorgeous to the simple, whenever and wherever you step into a cell phone marketplace or visit an online cell phone store, you will soon be dazzled by the huge selection of cell phones. Every design has its particular merits, just pick the one you are sure you will be glad to show off in public or simply the one appeals to you at a glimpse. But one thing is for sure: no matter what design it is, the cell phone you opt for should be convenient enough when you use it. That is, user experience should come first when it comes to shopping for a cell phone. For instance, must check whether the screen is big enough for you to read a message using the cell phone or if the keyboard is comfortablconvenient enough to type messages or dial numbers, etc.

Features

In this regard, you should confirm which features you love for a cell phone first. If you need a cell phone just for making phone calls and sending messages, go for the simply featured cell phones without any other features like digital cameras, music players, personalized ringtones, etc. If you plan to use the cell phone to access and manage your email and other organizational tasks, pick a high-end handset or even a smart cell phone like PDA. If you love to use your cell phone for entertainment, opt for the one with premium quality MP5 player or a range of games. The basic rule is: do not go with anything more than you need.

Performance

Check if everything operates well with the cell phone you are going to buy. Besides reading carefully the product specifications for the cell phone, you had better have a thorough testing on every function of the phone to see if the performance is satisfactory or not. The key function for a cell phone, of course, is the call quality. So try to call someone with the cell phone and you will find whether the call quality is satisfying. Also, it is necessary to check whether the contact list is easy to organize. Try inputting a few contact persons’s names and check if it is fast to reach the person you are looking for. For a feature-rich or smart cell phone, you need to check every function step by step and confirm they are on normal conditions and satisfactory enough according to your needs.

The average cell phone is not designed for rugged use; simply dropping it onto a hard surface can oftentimes render it useless, or at the very least damage it to the point that it needs basic repairs. Let’s face it, cells phones are dropped, thrown, driven over, washed in washing machines, and sometimes flushed. Cell phone users with more active lifestyles are likely to expose their cell phones to shock, sand, rain, and even saltwater.
Makers of cell phones have recognized the need for a more rugged all terrain cell phone and have taken steps towards not only developing phones specifically for rugged outdoor usage but have integrated some of the hardiest features into their entire product line; providing a cell phone that can withstand more abuse.
The XP1, created by cell phone maker Sonim, is perhaps one of the most rugged phones on the market. Coming in at a reasonable $365 per handset, this phone can withstand extreme temperatures, can be dropped, thrown, fully submerged, and even driven over by a car. This phone sacrifices none of the functionality needed from a cell phone; it is still a well designed stylish cell phone capable of making secure phone calls on any GSM network.Applications of All Terrain Cell PhonesSports Usage
There is a great application for rugged cell phones in outdoor sports environments. From use on the football field, to Nascar, even to use in water sports a cell phone that can stand up to heavy abuse and still be reliable is a great tool for use in all outdoor sports environments.Military Use
With all of the various locations around the world that the military has troops stationed, there is a clear need for a cell phone that can tolerate extreme climates of all kinds. From extreme cold temperatures to extreme high desert temperatures, the phones in use would need to be adaptable between the two harsh climates. Additionally, phones that can withstand sand or wind are necessary. Cell phones used by the military also need to be reliable; considering that cell phones might be used in life or death situations, it is crucial to have a rugged cell phone that can be relied up to work no matter what the environment it is exposed to.Fishing
Recreational fishermen have use of their radios when out at sea, but often have the need to communicate using alternate devices. The same applies for commercial fishermen, often working in harsh temperatures that incorporate salt water. A cell phone that can withstand the temperatures as well as not be affected by the salt water environment is very beneficial. A signal booster might be needed with phones used in these environments, however.Construction
Not always the safest work environment for electronic gadgetry, a construction site can be rather hazardous to a cell phone! Cell phones can get dropped onto hard concrete surfaces, engulfed by dust and water, and also treated in a less than gentle manner. It’s vital, for safety and convenience reasons, to have a reliable and rugged cell phone on a construction site.
The large carrier recognize the need that some of their users have for a rugged all terrain phone; and now offer, in their product lineup, several phones that can withstand the extreme environments they will be exposed to during the course of their use.

Cell phones can affect internal pacemakers, but there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that they cause adverse health affects in humans. Conversely, there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that they don’t cause adverse health affects in humans.
Cell phone accessories for all major brands are validated for best quality and thanks to over 275,000 client experiences! Cell phone or mobile phone searching is free of charge, as is fixed line searching. To find a persons number, use the cell phone or land line searchs.
Cell phones are normally somewhat water proof so they can be used in the light rain and humid environments. This means that once moisture has entered the phone it is very hard for it to dry out.
Cell phone signals are in the same frequency range as microwave ovens at about 100 gigahertz. This frequency is 1000 times smaller than ultraviolet light. Cell Phone Boosters help you by adding one to two bars to your phone. These cell phone boosters are very easy to install with directions shown below.
Cell phones and accessories are made from valuable resources such as precious metals, copper, and plastics – all of which require energy to extract and manufacture. Recycling cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions, keeps valuable material out of landfills and incinerators, and conserves natural resources.
Cell phones have the capability to become the Swiss army knife for student research and organization. First, we explore using cell phones as data collection tools: audio recorders, digital cameras, and digital camcorders. Cell phones are regulated by the FCC. FCC requirements state that ALL cell phones, regardless of status of service (or even the lack of service) must be able to dial 911.
Cell phones are not the only culprits here. A member of my family, traveling recently on the Amtrak train from New York, was shocked to realize that the man sitting in front of her was watching a pornographic movie on his laptop computer a movie whose raunchy scenes were reflected in the train window and thus clearly visible to her. Cell phones emit non-ionizing radiation, waves of energy that are too weak to break chemical bonds or to set off the DNA damage known to cause cancer.
There is no known biological mechanism to explain how this might lead to cancer. Cell phones operate ideally with the least amount of interference from neighboring channels. To help achieve the best operation, cell phones automatically step down to the lowest power level available that still maintains a connection with the base station.
Wireless telephones are two-way radios. When you talk into a wireless telephone, it picks up your voice and converts the sound to radiofrequency energy (or radio waves). Wireless phones and their accessories are recyclable. By taking those old phones out of your sock drawer, you can help our environment, help a charity or get some cash.
Cell phones ring, pagers buzz and computers chime, instructing activists by the thousands to sign electronic letters of protest. Within hours, the threat of torture is exposed. Cell phones make life easier in every way imaginable, but man, can they ever be expensive. From the ubiquitous, painfully expensive 411 to extra fees for text messaging, cell phone charges can overwhelm even the most savvy user.
Cell phones are currently dirt cheap to manufacture, but their true cost is insidious and pervasive. Besides the perils of hidden fees and the lubricious allure of text-messaging, one must consider the emotional enslavement that comes with allowing the outside world to contact you almost anywhere.

The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer.
The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don’t find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Herberman is basing his alarm on early unpublished data. He says it takes too long to get answers from science and he believes people should take action now especially when it comes to children.
“Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later,” Herberman said.
No other major academic cancer research institutions have sounded such an alarm about cell phone use. But Herberman’s advice is sure to raise concern among many cell phone users and especially parents.
In the memo he sent to about 3,000 faculty and staff Wednesday, he says children should use cell phones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing.
Adults should keep the phone away from the head and use the speakerphone or a wireless headset, he says. He even warns against using cell phones in public places like a bus because it exposes others to the phone’s electromagnetic fields.
The issue that concerns some scientists though nowhere near a consensus is electromagnetic radiation, especially its possible effects on children. It is not a major topic in conferences of brain specialists.
A 2008 University of Utah analysis looked at nine studies including some Herberman cites with thousands of brain tumor patients and concludes “we found no overall increased risk of brain tumors among cellular phone users. The potential elevated risk of brain tumors after long-term cellular phone use awaits confirmation by future studies.”
Studies last year in France and Norway concluded the same thing.
“If there is a risk from these products and at this point we do not know that there is it is probably very small,” the Food and Drug Administration says on an agency Web site.
Still, Herberman cites a “growing body of literature linking long-term cell phone use to possible adverse health effects including cancer.”
“Although the evidence is still controversial, I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phone use,” he wrote in his memo.
A driving force behind the memo was Devra Lee Davis, the director of the university’s center for environmental oncology.
“The question is do you want to play Russian roulette with your brain,” she said in an interview from her cell phone while using the hands-free speaker phone as recommended. “I don’t know that cell phones are dangerous. But I don’t know that they are safe.”
Of concern are the still unknown effects of more than a decade of cell phone use, with some studies raising alarms, said Davis, a former health adviser in the Clinton Administration.
She said 20 different groups have endorsed the advice the Pittsburgh cancer institute gave, and authorities in England, France and India have cautioned children’s use of cell phones.
Herberman and Davis point to a massive ongoing research project known as Interphone, involving scientists in 13 nations, mostly in Europe. Results already published in peer-reviewed journals from this project aren’t so alarming, but Herberman is citing work not yet published.
The published research focuses on more than 5,000 cases of brain tumors. The National Research Council in the U.S., which isn’t participating in the Interphone project, reported in January that the brain tumor research had “selection bias.” That means it relied on people with cancer to remember how often they used cell phones. It is not considered the most accurate research approach.
The largest published study, which appeared in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2006, tracked 420,000 Danish cell phone users, including thousands that had used the phones for more than 10 years. It found no increased risk of cancer among those using cell phones.
A French study based on Interphone research and published in 2007 concluded that regular cell phone users had “no significant increased risk” for three major types of nervous system tumors. It did note, however, that there was “the possibility of an increased risk among the heaviest users” for one type of brain tumor, but that needs to be verified in future research.
Earlier research also has found no connection.
Joshua E. Muscat of Penn State University, who has studied cancer and cell phones in other research projects partly funded by the cell phone industry, said there are at least a dozen studies that have found no cancer-cell phone link. He said a Swedish study cited by Herberman as support for his warning was biased and flawed.
“We certainly don’t know of any mechanism by which radiofrequency exposure would cause a cancerous effect in cells. We just don’t know this might possibly occur,” Muscat said.
Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a type of radiation that is a form of electromagnetic radiation, according to the National Cancer Institute. Though studies are being done to see if there is a link between it and tumors of the brain and central nervous system, there is no definitive link between the two, the institute says on its Web site.
“By all means, if a person feels compelled that they should take precautions in reducing the amount of electromagnetic radio waves through their bodies, by all means they should do so,” said Dan Catena, a spokesman for the American Cancer Society. “But at the same time, we have to remember there’s no conclusive evidence that links cell phones to cancer, whether it’s brain tumors or other forms of cancer.”
Joe Farren, a spokesman for the CTIA-The Wireless Association, a trade group for the wireless industry, said the group believes there is a risk of misinforming the public if science isn’t used as the ultimate guide on the issue.
“When you look at the overwhelming majority of studies that have been peer reviewed and published in scientific journals around the world, you’ll find no relationship between wireless usage and adverse health affects,” Farren said.
Frank Barnes, who chaired the January report from the National Research Council, said Wednesday that “the jury is out” on how hazardous long-term cell phone use might be.
Speaking from his cell phone, the professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder said he takes no special precautions in his own phone use. And he offered no specific advice to people worried about the matter.
It’s up to each individual to decide what if anything to do. If people use a cell phone instead of having a land line, “that may very well be reasonable for them,” he said.
Susan Juffe, a 58-year-old Pittsburgh special education teacher, heard about Herberman’s cell phone advice on the radio earlier in the day.
“Now, I’m worried. It’s scary,” she said.
She says she’ll think twice about allowing her 10-year-old daughter Jayne to use the cell phone.
“I don’t want to get it (brain cancer) and I certainly don’t want you to get it,” she explained to her daughter.
Sara Loughran, a 24-year-old doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh, sat in a bus stop Wednesday chatting on her cell phone with her mother. She also had heard the news earlier in the day, but was not as concerned.
“I think if they gave me specific numbers and specific information and it was scary enough, I would be concerned,” Loughran said, planning to call her mother again in a matter of minutes. “Without specific numbers, it’s too vague to get me worked up.”