Restricting the Use of Cell Phones in Moving Vehicles

Restricting the Use of Cell Phones in Moving Vehicles

Cell phones operate with radio frequencies (RF) and create electromagnetic fields (EMF). They do not emit the ionizing radiation associated with DNA damage. As the technology has developed, lower levels of RF are required to maintain services. Digital cell phones use much lower power than older analog units. Likewise, cordless telephones designed for local use also have lower energy levels.

This paper highlights the importance of adopting a legislation to restrict the use of cell phones while commuting in a car or vehicle. This legislation will be titled as “Prohibition of Cell phone Usage in Moving Vehicles”. This legislation will be adopted unanimously and will the signed into law by the President immediately after the approval from the Congress.

It is true that RF energy from cell phones can penetrate the brain through the skull. This RF energy is insufficient to break chemical bonds or damage DNA, even with the most powerful cell phones. However, this energy can heat tissue up to 0.1 degree C, which has raised concern about carcinogenicity. There is also a body of literature that suggests that work in the electrical industry with exposure to EMF can cause brain cancer, although the relationship is not strong. There is a body of literature that suggests other cancers, most notably leukemia, is associated with exposure to EMF. These relationships are stronger than for brain cancer. It is against this background of perceived similar exposure that the issues of brain cancer and cell phones arise.

The issue of hyperthermia and cancer has been addressed by several studies. In reviewing the evidence, researchers reviewed studies on hyperthermia with and without other carcinogens and RF exposures. The studies pointed to hyperthermia and RF caused hyperthermia as not being carcinogenic.

The objective evidence for a relationship are Swedish studies that used a population-based case control methodology. The first of these studies utilized a questionnaire given to 1,429 identified brain tumor cases and 1,470 control persons during the period 1997 to 2000. The use of analog cell phones showed an increased risk for brain tumors with a latency of over 10 years. The highest risk noted was for acoustic neuroma for analog cellular users. Digital cell phone use and cordless telephones showed no significant increase within a five-year latency. Another Swedish study, which specifically looked at acoustic neromas during 1999 to 2002 in parts of Sweden, did not show an increased risk of acoustic neuroma relative to short term mobile cell phone use, but did show a relative risk of 3.9 for tumors on the same side of the head as usual cell phone use for over 10 years.

Those believing a relationship often cite the negative studies, which concede that because the technology is new, they cannot exclude a relationship despite its absence. For example, Hillary Warren, et al., studied the risk of intratemporal facial nerve tumors and found no relationship, but acknowledged that the possibility still existed that observation over ...