PHOENIX - The jury is still out on whether cell phone radiation causes cancer.
But emerging studies show cause for concern, according to the
Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment.
“What those studies are showing, almost uniformly, is that there is an increased risk of brain cancers in the population of people who use cell phones rather heavily, but for more than 10 years,” said Richard Wiles, EWG Senior Vice President of Policy and Communication.
In a new report, the EWG has ranked more than 1,200 cell phone models by the most and least amount of radiation emitted.
Wiles said the goal is to help consumers make informed buying choices.
“Basically, what we used was the industry’s own data, that they’re required to submit to the federal government about the amount of radiation that’s emitted by the phones they cell,” he said.
According to the EWG, the best phone -- emitting the least amount of radiation -- is the Samsung Impression.
It has a Specific Absorption Rate (S.A.R.) of 0.35 watts per kilogram.
The S.A.R. is the measure of how much radiation is absorbed by the body, when the phone is sending a signal to the network.
The Federal Communications Commission set the maximum standard at 1.6 w/kg.
The phone with the worst ranking: The Motorola Moto VU 204, with a S.A.R. of 1.55 w/kg.
Both phones emit enough energy to push signals to a cell phone tower miles away.
“When it does that, it does it in all directions,” said William Ditto, a bio-engineering professor at Arizona State University.”
Ditto said no matter where the tower is located, those radio waves are moving through your head, if you have the cell phone to your ear.
He says the FCC’s safety standards, when it comes to cell phone radiation, are nearly 20 year’s out of date.
“When they were doing all of that, there was no Internet and cell phones were just barely emerging on the market,” said Ditto. So, I think it really needs to be revised. And, clearly that’s clearly what most recent studies seem to indicate.”
Despite the new warnings, many folks ABC15 spoke to said they aren’t too concerned.
“Today, it’s a good thing,” said Johara Hankins of Phoenix. "In 10 years, it’s a bad thing. It’s just one of those chances you take.”
For those who are worried, there are ways to reduce cell phone radiation exposure.
The EWG advises using a blue tooth, ear piece or texting -- instead of putting the handset next your ear -- to significantly cut your risk.
Find out how much radiation your cell phone emits by visiting the EWG’s website.Both Samsung and Motorola did not respond to requests for comment.
