Is talking on a cell phone hazardous to your health?

Answer 1

Researchers have found that a one-hour cell phone conversation stimulates the areas of the brain closest to the phone's antenna, but they do not know if these effects pose any long-term risk. More than 70 research papers on the potentially harmful effects of cell phone use have raised concerns about cancer, neurological disorders, sleep problems, or headaches; others have shown no association or have been inconclusive.

A recent British study found no significant increase in the incidence of brain tumors in men and women in the decade after cell phones became widespread. Other adverse effects of cell-phone use include changes in brain activity, reaction times, and sleep patterns. Drivers using cell phones, whether handheld or hands-free, have a three-to-four-times greater chance of an accident because of the distraction.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have stated that "the available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated with using wireless phones. There is no proof, however, that wireless phones are absolutely safe.".

Additional studies are under way.