The controversial debate and urban mythology
Before drawing conclusions on such pseudo sciences, researchers need to come up with substantial evidence to disapprove or support the question since power lines and use of mobile phones have become more common in the public domain.
Several studies can be done to establish the facts on the relationship between cancer and cell phones. A biological approach can be used to deduce the impacts of emissions radiation from mobile phones on living cells either on animals or in laboratory test tubes (Novella, 2007). If there is any observable effect, then this deduction can be correlated to human tissues. This may however be misleading since the analogy may not always be correct (Novella, 2007).
Scientific evidence on this question may also be gathered using epidemiological studies which try to precisely establish any viable relationship between brain cancer and mobile phone use. This kind of approach may however turn out to be practically impossible since singling out the exact parameter of interest, in this case mobile phone use and correctly determining its relationship to another parameter i.e. cancer may not be achievable( Novella, 2007).
However, some controversies in the medical spheres related to this pseudo science are still emerging with time. According to the meta- analysis and research conducted by Dr. Khurana Vini, a U.S. based Neurosurgeon early this year, some forms of brain tumors result after an exposure to cell phone radiations for more than a decade. He (Dr. Khurana) disregarded most of the existing contradictory evidence since it was gathered or conducted on primary exposure periods of less than ten years. Some medical researchers also advice that children should not be allowed to use gadgets at a relatively early age due to fears that their thin skulls have the potential of permitting more radiation, more than what their brains can dissipate and thus may have a direct biological impact on their overall growth and development( Khurana, 2009).
Apart from cancer, other unconfirmed reports in this domain link several other health woes such as Leukemia and other blood diseases, reproductive problems and birth defects, fatigue, decreased libido, depression, sleeping problems, hormonal imbalances, and heart diseases among others.
Cell Phone Use and Associated Signals Do Not Lead to Cancer
No matter how much the cell phones are used, the chances of them causing cancer are totally unexpected. Cancer is usually caused by any destruction on the human DNA either by ionizing emissions from X-rays or Ultra Violet emissions, Chemical causes and carcinogens such as inhalation of tobacco smoke, or particular viruses that end up modifying the DNA make ups of an individual(Rankin, 2006). The microwave energy has the capacity of distorting chemical bonds but still have insufficient energy to mage the DNA. The normal light energy is also much greater than the microwave energy and yet it has never been reported to cause any form of cancer. The radiation emissions from cellular phones and their respective base stations are usually much less than the above two cases and thus there is no substantial fact that can link them to cancer and other related diseases (Rankin, 2006). This fact also applies with the misleading beliefs that transmission and high voltage power lines and microwave stoves lead to cancer.
Arguments fronted by Dr. Khurana, a U.S. based neurosurgeon that exposure to mobile phone radiations for a consecutive period of up to 10 or so years are still facing negative criticism. The outcome of the decade long Swedish research study, as reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology clearly disputes Dr. Khuranas findings. The Swedish carried out a population- based case- control study that lasted 10 years (i.e. 1998 2008) so as to verify or discredit the urban mythology that long-term exposure to cell phone radiations could result to brain cancer and related diseases. After the study was concluded in the year 2008, it was established that increased use of these gadgets for such periods do not in any way result to brain tumors regardless of the handset type. A similar study conducted in Denmark for a period of 21 years starting from 1982 to 2003, as published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2004 also gave similar results like those of the Swedish report. In Denmark, up to 430,000 cases of mobile phone users were traced all through the period to establish any signs of brain cancer. No substantial evidence linking tumor risk and mobile telephone exposure among either long-term or short- term users. Since Denmark maintains a computerized national cancer database and all cell phone service providers maintain subscriber records, the researchers used these two resources to establish any relations on the cell phone cancer subject. Only a negligible number was revealed in the study as published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2004. Contrary to the misleading assumption that increased mobile phone use leads to cancer, the Denmark study revealed a negligible rate of brain tumor development among the long term cellular phone users. There was also no association between the part of the head where brain tumors develop and the side on which the phone is regularly used.
There is no known medical fact that correctly links mobile telephone Base Stations (transmitting stations) and cellular phone use with brain tumors and other associated health hazards(Karl, 2009). Such fears are usually based on rumors widely spread by the media. A recent story about the safety of mobile phone use in one of Australias leading magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald reported quite misleading and frightening phraseology on the subject matter. This magazine cited an organization referred to as the Environmental Working Group which allegedly released a relationship of radiation emissions from particular mobile handsets e.g. the Motorola and the Blackberry which emit more radiations than those of their competitors.
The assumption that high radiations emitted by these handsets are directly related to brain cancer is in reality misleading (Karl, 2009). This is because many laymen in the medical field ignorantly associate the word radiation with dangerous rays emitted from radioactive elements such as plutonium and uranium. Not all forms of radiation cause cancer except the gamma ray emissions. There is therefore no health danger posed by cell phone use and transmission stations simply because the signals and radiations emitted are weak and not in position to cause observable damages in the human DNA molecules and thus no chances of cancer arising. Mobile phone emissions are usually in the microwave range of 1800MHz, which is 650MHz less than the working frequency of microwave stoves (Karl, 2009). The transmission capacity of any given mobile phone is approximately 1 Watt (Geek, 2008) and the signals emitted by these gadgets are relatively low energy radiations in the range of 800 960 MHz. A cordless phone is likely to operate at frequencies equal to or slightly higher than 2.5 GHz. Electromagnetic radiations only ionize when they reach a frequency higher than 3000THz and can not destroy DNA before attaining this frequency. The only way the electromagnetic waves can result to cancer is through heating to very high temperatures (Geek, 2008) which is unattainable since these gadgets consume extremely low power (1Watt) which can hardly penetrate the human skin and thus there are no chances of cancer or tumors resulting from continuous use of these communications gadget( Geek, 2008).
Like many other current health and scientific debates, the controversies surrounding the subject on mobile phones and their alleged relationship to cancer is surrounded by some levels of pseudoscience (Novella, 2008). Other research scientists, the likes of Arthur Firstenberg end up quoting several doubtful scientific allegations about mobile phones without providing proper citations in their quest to convince the public on dangers related to mobile phone use. The procedures suggested by Firstenberg in his research could not yield any viable results when numerous repeats of the procedures were carried out in subsequent studies (Novella, 2008).
Other negative allegations correlating mobile phone use and exposure to the radio frequency radiations emitted by their base stations and associated power lines are also spread by entrepreneurs with selfish minds out to make individual gains(Novella, 2008). Such business men are usually the manufacturers and retailers of devices that have the capacity to shield one fro harmful mobile phone radiation. Some of these devices often sound technological, but with no observable effect or may even end up completely shielding mobile phone emissions at the expense of the wireless signals behind their principles of operation(Novella, 2008).
Though the research is still on going on the possible impacts of long-term use of mobile phones, it is often advisable to acquire mobile gadgets that do not necessarily have to be near the head when making or receiving calls to minimize the magnitude of the radiation you get exposed to while working. Use of gadgets that support blue tooth or those with headsets should be encouraged. Such advanced gadgets can also have the added advantage of minimizing deaths and road accidents since they do not interfere with the drivers concentration whenever he receives or makes a call.
Relationship between Emissions from Power Lines and Cancer
Electromagnetic fields can be regarded as the magnitude of force with both magnetic and electric components usually linked with electric charge in motion. No individual scientific study has conclusively gathered accurate evidence on the relationship between emissions from power lines and possible health hazards e.g. cancer.
In as much as there are numerous reports of children living within the vicinity of high voltage transmission stations developing strange illnesses (Neal, 1996), several scientific evidences from the American National Council on Radiation Protection link the electromagnetic fields emitted from such stations to be the main causes of cancer and other associated diseases. This is based on the fact that electromagnetic fields have the capacity of inhibiting body hormones such as melatonin which in turn distort sleep patterns in adults and increase leukemia cases in children (Neal, 1996). Many studies have previously indicated that the relation between cancer and high electromagnetic fields may take several years before the effect is clearly pronounced. Such bodily disorders usually come about after a relatively lengthy process of continuous worsening of conditions within the body before eventually culminating into a dreadful disease. Electromagnetic field radiations often begin destroying body tissues immediately after the exposure. Though it may take long before symptoms become defined, the damage is always in the process.
Contrary to early assumptions that electromagnetic fields posed no health hazard, experimental researches have proved otherwise (Neil, 1996). According to such experiments, weak electromagnetic fields have the ability of completely distorting the brain chemistry, inhibiting the immune system and the production of body hormones such as melatonin, a hormone which plays a major role in fighting several kinds of tumors (Neal, 1996).
Such studies have however resulted in many controversies, based on the case-control study carried out in Los Angeles, California, two sets of 230 children under the age of 10 was used. The correlation between leukemia and electromagnetic field exposures was evaluated. Individual measurements at several positions outside and inside households including the bedrooms were done. Information concerning the frequency of use of electrical gadgets in each household was collected and other varying factors regulated. As a result, households with high current configuration had double cases of leukemia and no relation was directly established with measured electromagnetic radiation (Neal, 1996).
Extremely high- current, huge- voltage conducting power lines located approximately 400metres away have the capacity to generate strong magnetic fields with strengths much higher than average domestic ambient levels. Overhead street power lines, 30metres above the ground can also create huge electro magnetic fields and for internal domestic wiring this field can extend to a distance of up to 1 meter. In the above three cases, the amount of current transmitted plays a key role in determining the magnitude of the magnetic field.
Quite a number of experiments related to this subject have in the past been carried out using animals such as mice and rats exposed to high electromagnetic fields for reasonably long periods (Neal, 1996). Some of these animals have been placed under such conditions for their entire life spans and but none has contracted cancer following such exposures. Several generations of animals raised under such laboratory conditions have also on the contrary not indicated any sign of birth disorders or defects in their immune system.
Without any animal information to back such claims that cancer can be caused by electromagnetic fields and no substantial physical process to explain the possible effects on the body, the only reliable information may be obtained from epidemiology (Neal, 1996). For the several cancer cases, most medical specialists and researchers have formulated hypothesis that malignant cancer and tumors develop in at least two phases (Novella, 2007). The first stage is referred to as the initiation whereby an external agent damages a given cells DNA. Since electromagnetic radiations usually have inadequate strength to break chemical and molecular bonds, researchers are putting more effort in the second phase i.e. promotion in order to establish possible ways in which magnetic field can cause cancer by making cells to undergo abnormal mutations (Novella, 2007).
Some studies also indicate that electromagnetic field radiations may lead to cancer by prying with the normal transmission and transfer of calcium across cell membranes (Neal, 2009). This kind of interference in turn ends up inhibiting major biological processes e.g. cell growth and multiplication, egg fertilization and reflex muscle actions. Electromagnetic fields also affect a cells capacity to synthesize hormones and inhibit other biological processes that directly affect growth (Novella, 2009).
In a different study conducted in Sweden, several medical researchers and expatriates assessed the overall prolonged exposure of individuals living within the vicinity of high- voltage power transmission lines (Neal, 1996). Several spot measurements of the electromagnetic field strengths in individual households were taken. The accuracy of the measurements were then confirmed using computerized models that could relate the field strength emitted by individual lines to the wiring networks, average distance of the power lines, and the amount of current each line was carrying at that particular instant(Neal, 1996). This research was conducted for about two consecutive decades and the finding was that any kind of exposure to electromagnetic fields regardless of their strength could result in cancer, more specifically chronic myeloid and acute leukemia (Neal, 1996).
Most scientists have since failed to clearly establish the mechanism in which electromagnetic fields produced by power lines induce or inhibit biological and metabolic reactions (Neal, 1996).Based on the fact that there is no known scientific or epidemiological evidence that clearly shows a direct or indirect relationship between cancer and the magnetic field strength and any viable method by which magnetic fields can stimulate cancer, huge uncertainty still surround this pseudo science.
Conclusion
It is not clearly understood how the notion relating cell phone use and cancer got into the public domain since currently, despite the many on going medical studies, there is no proven evidence that establishes any relationship on the subject. Most people are currently facing many challenges that need to be attended to.
This means that formulating and later spreading imaginary health hazards and related pseudo science has both the effects of diverting ones attention from real issues and desensitizing individuals to possible warnings about similar, but genuine dangers. If the assumption that mobile phone use leads to cancer, then presently, there ought to be extremely numerous reported brain cancer cases since mobile phone use has become an extremely common mode of communication in the world in the last 15 or so years.
In as much as mobile phone signals have not yet been proved to cause cancer and other related complications, several research findings have indicated that electromagnetic field radiations, no matter how weak they are can result to cancer and other dreaded diseases such as leukemia and heart diseases.
Unlike emissions and radiations from cellular phones and their associated transmission which can be totally shielded using aluminum foils(Geek, 2008), there is no known element that can shield electromagnetic radiations no matter how weak they are from penetrating any material. Maximum caution and preventive measures should therefore be taken by people who live near power distribution stations e.g. through relocations so as to minimize any chances of cancer developing in their body.
The lack of clarity on the above subject should be treated with utmost care in case further research comes up with contradicting results. It is therefore advisable to take preventive measures when using these gadgets for your own safety. Excessive exposure to base station radio waves and mobile phone use should be minimized or regulated probably using headsets that could increase the distance between ones brain and these gadgets.
For total credibility, government sponsored independent agencies and concerned public health ministries should invest more in doing research related to cancer and emissions from power lines and mobile telephones for the sake protecting innocent citizens. In conducting such studies, concerned power distribution companies and mobile telephone service providers should not be involved so as to minimize chances of sabotage and biasness of the results. As a concluding remark, independent organizations with thorough knowledge of the above subject should be involved in conveying accurate and updated information to the public in order to create awareness.
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