The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering whether to change its cellphone radiation standards.
Chairman Julius Genachowski circulated an order on Friday that would launch a formal inquiry into the levels of radiation that the commission allows devices to emit.
Recent studies have indicated that radiation from cellphones could increase the risk of cancer, lower bone density or alter brain activity. But numerous other studies have found no harm. An FCC official said the commission’s decision to explore the issue was not triggered by any particular event or study. He noted that after the commission’s probe, it could choose to maintain its current standards, make them more lax or make them more stringent.
The official said the inquiry is a routine procedure to review the commission’s standards. The FCC last updated its radiation guidelines in 1996.
If the five-member commission votes to move forward with the inquiry, it will begin accepting comments from the cellphone industry, consumer groups and the public.
The wireless industry has long argued that regular levels of cellphone radiation pose no danger to consumers.
John Walls, vice president of public affairs for wireless trade group CTIA, said he welcomes the commission’s continued oversight of the issue.
“We fully expect that the FCC’s review will confirm, as it has in the past, that the scientific evidence establishes no reason for concern about the safety of cellphones,” he said in a statement.
He noted that an advisory group to the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency recently found that cellphones are safe.
“Expert agencies and scientific advisory groups around the world have concluded that cellphones operating within government standards pose no known health effects and are safe for normal use,” he said.
CTIA sued San Francisco last year when the city tried to require warnings on cellphones about the risks of radiation. A federal court sided with CTIA, and blocked the warnings.
(Source: The Hill)
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4 Responses
Readers should not that the term “radiation” is a shortened form of the scientific term “electromagnetic radiation.” Electromagnetic radiation refers to a spectrum of radiation energy that includes, for example, x-ray radiation, visible light waves, microwaves, and radio and sound waves. The portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum which contains x-ray radiation is the portion which transmits “ionizing radiation.” It is the ionizing radiation that is known to be a cause of cancer. The portion of the spectrum that contains visible light, microwaves, and radio and sound waves does not give off ionizing radiation at all. The radiation waves that cell phones transmit do not give off ionizing radiation and are not related to x-ray radiation. It is not known yet if cell phone “radiation” waves have any potential to cause cancer at all, and this is the area that is under study today.
Low levels of ionising radiation are harmless too, and in fact some level is probably necessary for the continuation of life. And of course we are constantly being bombarded by ionising radiation from space, and have been for as long as we’ve existed. Radiation is perfectly “natural”, and nothing to be concerned about, so long as the doses are reasonably low.
Dr. FENSTER
Thank you for your clarification
Dr. FENSTER
Thank you for the clarification