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August 7-13, 2000 |
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If you choose to follow any links to the abstracts and/or complete text of articles, books, and documents listed below, you will be leaving the Strategian Web site. If you wish to return to this page from the Web page you are sent to, please use the Back option of your browser. Feature Items: Kenneth R. Foster and John E. Moulder Are Mobile Phones Safe? Research Intensifies as the Public Grows Wary of One of its Favorite Communications Tools. (... a very readable review of the current state of research regarding the possibility of negative health effects for humans from the use of mobile phones [or cell phones]. Spurred partly by lawsuits filed in the early 1990's, a new wave of research in the United States and elsewhere is exploring possible links between cell phone radiation and cancer. Concern has been raised because the widespread use of hand-held mobile phones means that many people routinely place radio frequency [RF] transmitters against their heads. The wireless communication systems behind the transmitters operate at a variety of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum [in the United States, near 850 MHz and near 1900 MHz, and, in Europe, near 900 MHz and 1800 MHz]. Energy in this frequency range is called non-ionizing because the photon energy is insufficient to knock electrons from atoms in living tissue [which is] a source of serious biological damage from radiation such as X-rays. The most apparent biological effects of RF energy at cell phone frequencies are due to heating of nearby body tissues. At present, results from studies involving humans and studies involving animals are certainly inconsistent with any large increase in risk [a doubling or more] of brain cancer from use of cell phones [as was claimed in the original lawsuit]. Nor do the animal studies show clear-cut carcinogenic effects. However, the epidemiological studies lack the sensitivity to detect small increases in risk, and the relevance of animal studies to human health is uncertain--both familiar problems with carcinogen risk assessment. Other keywords and phrases -- analog, base station, brain, digital, exposure standards, hazard, risk -- from the text of the article; for a more technical review of this topic, please see Cell Phones and Cancer: What is the Evidence for a Connection? [J.E. Moulder, et al.]) IEEE Spectrum Volume 37, Number 8 (August 2000): 23-28. **The complete text of the article is currently available through the Web site of IEEE Spectrum** Paul Slovic Will People Believe Mobile Phones are Safe? (... a very interesting short article about public attitudes to risk that is included within the article Are Mobile Phones Safe?. Based on research that the author and his colleagues have carried out, the author describes how the general public and scientists often interpret scientific evidence and findings very differently and that public perceptions and acceptance of risk depend on the perceived benefit of a technology. The author concludes with recommendations for scientists working to assess mobile phone [health] risks. Other keywords and phrases -- cell phones, chemicals, electromagnetic fields, interference model, intuitive toxicology, lay people, power line, powerline, transmission line -- from the text of the article) IEEE Spectrum Volume 37, Number 8 (August 2000): 25. **The complete text of the article is currently available through the Web site of IEEE Spectrum** How to find the above journals, magazines, and other publications? See Step 3: Locate of the Information Strategy for details. Questions about any or all of the above? Please let me know. |
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