Cancer and smartphones: Anyone worry about "always on" data and keeping phone in pocket?

[Vesbon]

This is sort of an odd post, but I worry about how cell phones may cause cancer. The jury is out on the whether or not talking excessively on one's cell phone can cause cancer. I don't do that, but what about android (and other smartphones) that have "always on" data streams?

Is there alot of data being transferred when my phone is sitting idle in my pocket? I don't have many apps: Just Gmail, Remember the Milk, Evernote, Dropbox, and a few other cloud-based services.

There are times when my phone is in my pocket and it gets warm to the touch. On those days my battery is nearly dead by the end of the day, even though I barely used the phone. That got me thinking: Is this thing communicating all day? Can that be as "dangerous" as talking excessively on a cell phone all day?

Again, a bit of an odd post, but just wondering if keeping my data on all day (and in my pocket) might be unhealthy.

Thanks,
-v

 

[A.Nonymous]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a cell phone basically a portable radio in how it functions? Radio waves are non-ionizing to the best of my knowledge.

 

[mdram]

even if they do, i think its the least of my worries

 

[Stuntman]

When I got my first ever cell phone back in the late 90's I was a little concerned because my hip was a little sore on the side where I holster my cell phone. It did cross my mind that it might be the radiation. Then I realised that it was actually the weight of the cell phone that was causing the sorness. You see, back then, cell phones were as heavy and as big as bricks and constantly having that weight on one side of your body all day causes some soreness. Once cell phones got smaller and ligher, I didn't have any problems with soreness on my hip anymore.

I think there are way more things to be worried about than cell phones. In any given year, there is a 1 in 10,000 chance that you will die in a car crash. I think the chances of you dying as a result of radiation from a cell phone are much less than that.

 

[nyydynasty]

nope. i'm convinced that cancer is going to be just today's "cold" in the future...at least I hope We get cancer from everything, these days. We're all screwed when we get old.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Well, we do know that some forms of radiation cause cancer. The question is how much radiation is required to cause issues. I am NOT saying radiation as in Radioactive, mind you. Your light bulb radiates light; that is to say, produces radiation.

I am a Ham and I do not fear my radios. They produce far more power than a cell phone. And it comes out of the antenna that is next to my ear. Some radios work at high frequencies and emit microwave radiation. Still no worries.

I would not worry.

Bob Maxey

 

[A.Nonymous]

Well, we do know that some forms of radiation cause cancer. The question is how much radiation is required to cause issues. I am NOT saying radiation as in Radioactive, mind you. Your light bulb radiates light; that is to say, produces radiation.

I am a Ham and I do not fear my radios. They produce far more power than a cell phone. And it comes out of the antenna that is next to my ear. Some radios work at high frequencies and emit microwave radiation. Still no worries.

I would not worry.

Bob Maxey

What kind of radiation does a cell phone emit? I confess I'm somewhat ignorant on this issue. Is it non-ionizing like I think it is?

 

[Vesbon]

Thanks for the replies. I remember a grad school prof once said "The things that we aren't aware of is what hurt us the most." I could be worried about cell phone cancer and be unaware of the massive amounts of radon in my basement (or in 10 years they'll discover a new "danger" in the home).

-v

 

[gallandof]

i may just be wrong in my thinking but theres so many other dangers you can encounter on a daily basis that I find it hard to worry about any of them. If i were to try and protect myself even 50% from any "danger" then I would end up a bubble boy.

 

[Frisco]

even if they do, i think its the least of my worries

That is my thinking, as well.

BZZT!!! .llew sa gnikniht ym si tahT That is my thinking, as well.

Help! !pleH

 

[Bob Maxey]

What kind of radiation does a cell phone emit? I confess I'm somewhat ignorant on this issue. Is it non-ionizing like I think it is?

High frequency sources like ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays are considered ionizing. Low (er) energy radiation, like visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves, are not ionizing.

Most people who study this issue do not believe a cell phone is a problem. The energy levels are far too low.

Bob Maxey

 

[Thefoodman52]

A cell phone emits microwaves.

 

[barely_legal_lover]

I worry as much about my droid causing cancer as much as I worry about verizon charging me for tethering....


here's how much...



not




at



all

 

[Stuntman]

nope. i'm convinced that cancer is going to be just today's "cold" in the future...at least I hope We get cancer from everything, these days. We're all screwed when we get old.

It seems that lifespans are getting longer and longer that eventually, you're bound to get cancer. Pretty soon, dying from cancer will be considered to be dying due to natural causes.

 

[Hrethgir]

I'm not even worried about this a little bit.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I keep it as close to "my boys" as i can in hopes that it will kill off my sperm.

 

[pleaseno]

dont leave your phone in your pocket all the time. If im sitting at a desk or just sitting in general someone for a bit i take it out and set it next to me. Id say its in my pocket for the most of 1-2 hours a day. Maybe.

 

[barely_legal_lover]

It seems that lifespans are getting longer and longer that eventually, you're bound to get cancer. Pretty soon, dying from cancer will be considered to be dying due to natural causes.

that's what Elizabeth Edwards said....

 

[Eugene]

Cell phone radiation is pretty low on the risk scale. You damage yourself far more when you walk outside of a store and some rude person is smoking. The chemicals and preservatives in food are worse, the plastic outgassing inside your car, the exhaust from your car, etc.

 

[jbk317]

Certain people are more sensitive to environmental carcinogens than others. That's why the 90 year old that has been smoking and drinking all his life is cancer free while others who partake in the same activities for much shorter periods of time might not be so lucky.
The thing about cell phone radiation is that there is no conclusive evidence, only various links. Do I worry about it? Yeah I do. I worry about all these new elements of our lives that have only been introduced to us in the last few decades (an insight into the discrepancy in cancer rates between countries).
When tobacco was first introduced, no one gave it a second thought. Now we know its devastating affects due to the time elapsed since it was introduced.
I would say it best to err on the side of caution and not to be too arrogant about the issue. Like people have been saying, if you are sitting at a desk or at home, try not to leave the phone in your pocket. If you know you have to be on the phone for an extended period of time, use some headphones.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Cell phone radiation is pretty low on the risk scale. You damage yourself far more when you walk outside of a store and some rude person is smoking. The chemicals and preservatives in food are worse, the plastic outgassing inside your car, the exhaust from your car, etc.

No conclusive proof second hand smoke causes cancer. Ditto preservatives and chemicals in your food, too. Sorry, but us smokers are constantly beat over the head with bad science and poor testing.

Suppose the government started taxing cell phones at 50% because they cause cancer? Or fast food gets a huge tax because it causes heart disease?

I say let us ruin our lives and pity us as needed. No government paid health care, either.

Bob Maxey

 

[jbk317]

No conclusive proof second hand smoke causes cancer. Ditto preservatives and chemicals in your food, too. Sorry, but us smokers are constantly beat over the head with bad science and poor testing.

Suppose the government started taxing cell phones at 50% because they cause cancer? Or fast food gets a huge tax because it causes heart disease?

I say let us ruin our lives and pity us as needed. No government paid health care, either.

Bob Maxey

But what about companies producing products that create potentially harmful effects, and say they are safe because there is no "scientific proof" (which is an oxymoron)?
However things with definite associations to diseases, such as smoking and foods with exorbitant amounts of sugar, sodium, saturated fat, etc. should, I believe, be regulated on some level. We know that the majority of people won't voluntarily stay away from established dangers, and the practice of the public to continually harm themselves with things that don't cause immediate damage is creating a ripple effect throughout society.

 

[barely_legal_lover]

the sun will cause more cancer in me then a cell phone

 

[Bob Maxey]

But what about companies producing products that create potentially harmful effects, and say they are safe because there is no "scientific proof" (which is an oxymoron)?
However things with definite associations to diseases, such as smoking and foods with exorbitant amounts of sugar, sodium, saturated fat, etc. should, I believe, be regulated on some level. We know that the majority of people won't voluntarily stay away from established dangers, and the practice of the public to continually harm themselves with things that don't cause immediate damage is creating a ripple effect throughout society.

However, without scientific proof, all we are left with are guesses. If you manufactured a product and people simple assumed it was dangerous, would you agree to let it be banned from the marketplace because everyone simply guessed about the danger your product represents?

I guarantee, for any product you can dream up, I can find a danger associated with it.

Some things represent dangers. I smoke cigars and I am certain they cause some harm. I will accept the risk and I do not expect your tax dollars to save me. That said, there is no conclusive proof that cigars will kill me. Just lots of questionable reports and faulty science on both sides of the argument.

We can match scientific

 

[Bob Maxey]

the sun will cause more cancer in me then a cell phone

Entirely possible. Too much sun is likely not a good idea.

Bob Maxey