By Joli Williams
The BYU bubble may shelter students from worldly dangers, but not protect them from the radiation exuded by their cell phones.
Recent studies indicate that cell phones may be responsible for an increase in brain tumors and brain cancer in the United States.
'Since cell phones emit electromagnetic energy, which in certain circumstances has been linked with causing tumors, many people fear that the two statistics may be linked,' said Dr. Ted Schwartz, a neurosurgeon from New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Most cell phone companies rebuke the alleged accusations.
The most recent study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, states that people who regularly use their cell phones are not at any greater risk than those who do not use cell phones.
Robert Elston, spokesman for Ericsson, said that all Ericsson phones are designed and tested to comply with existing safety standards for radio frequency exposure.
Studies have produced inconclusive evidence, Elston said.
Nevertheless, cell phone companies are aware of the possible dangers of cell phone use, and the Cellular Telecommunications Internet Association has been conducting research since 1994, said Wendie Larkin, public relations manager for Network World Inc.
George Carlos, a public health scientist, was hired by CTIA to conduct a six-year, $25 million research effort.
Carlos'' findings confirmed the industry''s worst nightmare, linking cell phone use to a brain tumor called acoustic neuroma.
'People who reported using cell phones for six years or more had a 50 percent higher chance of developing this benign tumor,' Carlos said.
The radiation emitted by the phone is absorbed 1 to 2 inches into the skull causing some heating of the brain tissue.
Using a headset, rather than holding the phone directly to your head, may minimize possible side effects, said Janice Brewer, spokeswoman for the World Health Organization.
Some BYU students are already aware of the possible cell phone dangers.
'I refuse to use my cell phone without the headset piece,' said John Holland, 23, a senior from Layton, Salt Lake County, majoring in business management.
Holland recently read an article discussing radiation emission from cell phones, and has since limited his airtime.
'Cancer runs in my family,' Holland said. 'I am trying to avoid increasing my risks at all costs.'
Cell phone companies may reject possible hazards, but Motorola, Nokia, Hitachi and Ericsson have all rushed to buy radiation shield patents, said Larkin.
These shields are used to reduce the risk of brain tumors among consumers, she said.
Michael Westmark, Ericsson spokesman, said the patents were designed to improve the performance of mobile phones by reducing the radio waves, not specifically to prevent brain tumors.
Until further research is completed, the World Health Organization suggests cell phone users limit their time on a cell phone and consider using a hands-free device, Brewer said.