In the early 1980's, cell phones were used in analog and big enough to install in a vehicle. In the 1990's, technology advanced cellular phone use into digital mode, allowing users the advantage of text messaging.

As we entered the millennium, we now have the advantage of emails, web browsing, camera and video phones, allowing communications at speeds of velocity beyond our imaginations from just a decade ago. As new inventions of technology in our present communications era emerges, a health concern has been brought to light in lieu of the appealing cell phones that allow us to communicate on a constant basis.

Cell phones emit electrical magnetic fields at a minute frequency much lower than a microwave oven, but even at these small amounts, there is talk that cell phones may impose a health risk to the link between the brain and tumors. In a recent analysis conducted at The University of Utah, "studies showed that...there was no increased risk of tumors among high use of cell phone users" (Kohn, 2008).

According to infoplease.com, there are approximately over 2.1 billion cell phone users worldwide. From a list of 227 regions worldwide, in 2005, the European Union ranked number one at 466 million cell phone users followed by China at 437,480,000 in 2006, the United States ranked third at 219,400,000 in 2005, followed by Russia at 120 million and Japan at 94,745,000.

Cell phones are also becoming very popular and affordable with pre-paid cards and low monthly fees allowing the number of users grow at rapid rates expected to triple in the next few years. In the meantime, epidemiologists, scientists, researchers, and cell phone companies suggest that cell phone use be used to its minimum such as emergencies and only when specifically needed. Limit chatting from a couple to a few minutes; use the headphones or a Bluetooth.

But even the Bluetooth does not guarantee lowering the health risks associated to brain tumors and cell phone use. It is difficult to define the link between cell phone usage and brain tumors. More studies are being conducted on the subject, most particularly in the European region.  The Food and Drug Administration and The Federal Communications Commission are related to these delicate health concerns for the public. For more information please visit http://fda.gov/cellphones/

Sources: David Kohn, Caution on Cell Phone Use, McClatchy, Tribune Business News, Washington: July 24, 2008, Retrieved August 24, 2008, ProQuest.

©2008 Diana Perez