Optimus one of the worst for cancer-causing radiation

[garybeck]

I'm sure many folks here have heard the big announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday, that there is significant evidence that cellphone use causes cancer. they now list cellphone use in the same category as lead and other things that cause cancer. The evidence is just starting to surface because it takes 10 years or so for the cancer to develop and that is just about how long we've had cellphones now. Now, multiple independent and peer reviewed studies all are showing the same results, that people who use cell phones have increased risk of brain cancer. And it's not just WHO... their announcement is based on reviews of multiple peer-reviewed studies. The European Environmental Agency said cellphones "could be as big a public health risk as smoking, asbestos and leaded gasoline.". (here's a link: WHO: Cell phone use can increase possible cancer risk - CNN.com)

today CNN posted a list of cellphones and how much radiation they emit. having an Optimus V, of course I looked it up. I wasn't happy to learn that the Optimus S emits 1.26 w/kg of radiation and the legal limit is 1.59. (the V isn't listed, but it is probably the same).

here's the searchable database:
How much radiation does your phone emit?

does this mean you need to toss your V? No way... But you should be aware and use common sense. The effects are the worst when the phone is right up next to your ear (brain). speakerphone, texting, websurfing ... isn't nearly as bad. But keeping your phone in your front pocket might not be wise, if you want to have kids someday.

just a friendly FYI.... do your own research and be safe!

 

[magicaldeck]

Point taken regarding keeping our Optimus from frying our cells. However, if you look up other popular smart phones in the list (e.g. Droid, Incredible, Blackberry), you will see that they have numbers that are similar or worse! If anything our beloved Optimus is on the lower end in terms of emissions. Even the iPhone 4 emits 1.17 w/kg, which isn't that much different.

In any case, I am going to start putting my wallet between my phone and my leg in my front pocket...

 

[Chris951]

i always use speaker anyways. i hate getting grease and shit all over my screen! i'm not worried though

 

[greg4android]

I hope your phone wouldn't be anywhere near your a**, but who am I to judge? LOL

i always use speaker anyways. i hate getting grease and shit all over my screen! i'm not worried though

 

[dsohn1015]

I don't think that cell phone radiation will cause cancer any faster than the air we breathe or the water we drink.

 

[DaveSin]

I don't think that cell phone radiation will cause cancer any faster than the air we breathe or the water we drink.

Who cares what you THINK!! This was a scientific study conducted by people who are a lot smarter than YOU. I willing to wager that you believe in UFOs....right?

 

[Skratte]

Who cares what you THINK!! This was a scientific study conducted by people who are a lot smarter than YOU. I willing to wager that you believe in UFOs....right?

DUDE!! You ever hear of Roswell? In my past life as one of the Lollipop twins in Oz, I was abducted and anal probed multiple times by aliens.

 

[James161324]

They have been saying this for the past 20 years. You still have a 50 percent chance of getting cancer any way

 

[garybeck]

I don't think that cell phone radiation will cause cancer any faster than the air we breathe or the water we drink.

you can think what you want but in this case you're wrong. I suppose your theory is based on the fact that since the radiation is invisible it must be harmless... well the fact is there are many studies that indicate otherwise. there is this thing called science... oh well I guess I'm wasting my time.

 

[garybeck]

They have been saying this for the past 20 years. You still have a 50 percent chance of getting cancer any way

no they have not been saying this for 20 years. cell phones haven't even been around that long. in fact, before this announcement they have been saying that there is no evidence of a link between cell phone use and brain cancer. Now they are saying there is enough evidence and enough studies to conclude there is a link. the study I read said that if you talk on a cell phone for 500 minutes per month you are increasing your chance of brain cancer by 10 times. you can ignore the science if you want.

 

[raynoldsk]

Who cares what you THINK!! This was a scientific study conducted by people who are a lot smarter than YOU. I willing to wager that you believe in UFOs....right?

If you look carefully at the studies, most of them found absolutely no correlation between cell phone usage and an increase in brain cancer, and the one the WHO is basing this on found a possible increase in a very rare brain cancer.

And yes, there *have* been people saying this for twenty years.

Unless you have the phone constantly at your ear, you don't have anything to worry about. The study was based on 30 minutes/ day, so unless you use >900 minutes a month, it would not apply to you, anyway. If you use a headset, it would not apply to you at all.

 

[peurbach]

Thanks Raynoldsk. It's always amazing what passes for "information" on the internet. Clearly Mr. Beck did not read the news carefully or perhaps did not have a careful source for his info.

 

[raynoldsk]

No, I think Mr. Beck was just passing on information. Some others got a little excited, though.

 

[Hepcat]

My LG Optimus V manual says the SAR is about 1/2 of those numbers:

Page 233 I think, in the SAR section.

"The highest SAR value for this model phone when tested for use at the ear is 0.70 W/kg and when worn on the body, is 0.57 W/kg."

Of course, they also insist that you keep the phone about 1cm from your head.

 

[n00dz]

Even if there is a positive correlation between these two factors, correlation does not mean causation.

 

[melim]

you can think what you want but in this case you're wrong. I suppose your theory is based on the fact that since the radiation is invisible it must be harmless... well the fact is there are many studies that indicate otherwise. there is this thing called science... oh well I guess I'm wasting my time.

I don't think that's what dsohn was saying at all. There is *also* plenty of science showing that our air and water (and soil, and food, and personal care products, etc.) are filled with craploads of carcinogens.

 

[greg4android]

This has been talked about for years....why is it such a sudden concern?

 

[Thorsten]

FWIW, you can also use the plug-in headset that came with the phone for calls, incl. Skype. (The is a mic near the button that's on the cord.) I found the quality to be fine and using the headset more convenient than the speaker-phone.


However the science is ultimately going to play out, this may be one of those cases where being careful just in case doesn't cost you anything.

 

[ScottColbert]

no they have not been saying this for 20 years. cell phones haven't even been around that long. in fact, before this announcement they have been saying that there is no evidence of a link between cell phone use and brain cancer. Now they are saying there is enough evidence and enough studies to conclude there is a link. the study I read said that if you talk on a cell phone for 500 minutes per month you are increasing your chance of brain cancer by 10 times. you can ignore the science if you want.

First cell phone was developed in 1973, and first mobile network and phones were in release in Tokyo in 1979. I've heard this since at least the early 90s.

 

[ScottColbert]

This has been talked about for years....why is it such a sudden concern?

Slow news day?

 

[Jenny Z]

The report that just came out has been sensationalized.

Coffee, pickled veggies also 'possibly' cause cancer – The Chart - CNN.com Blogs

As you continue to weigh the risks and benefits of using your cell phone, in light of the recent World Health Organization announcement that the phones may lead to cancer, consider how scared you are of pickled vegetables, gasoline and magenta dyes.
These are just some of the substances also lumped in the same group of "possible carcinogens," formally known as "group 2B carcinogens" on the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer's list of known, likely and maybe-likely suspects.
In fact, coffee is in the same 2B category as cell phones because of evidence that drinking coffee could be associated with cancer of the large bowel. On the other hand, coffee was also recently linked to a lowered risk of fatal prostate cancer, so go figure.

etc.

 

[ScottColbert]

Fear mongering is the new journalism apparently.

 

[JerryScript]

no they have not been saying this for 20 years. cell phones haven't even been around that long. in fact, before this announcement they have been saying that there is no evidence of a link between cell phone use and brain cancer. Now they are saying there is enough evidence and enough studies to conclude there is a link. the study I read said that if you talk on a cell phone for 500 minutes per month you are increasing your chance of brain cancer by 10 times. you can ignore the science if you want.

Cell phones have been around alot longer than 20 years.

Amazing how everyone focused on cell phones in this report, when there are dozens of other carcinogens listed, from products you probably use daily. I'm not going to stop drinking coffee, nor will I stop using my cell phone.

 

[fightingirish]

Cue up the Joe Jackson song "Everything Causes Cancer"...

I hope everyone here realizes that the U.S. news media lives to scare the crap out of people. That gets attention. And attention equals ratings.

Just watch some of Michael Moore's flicks (personal politics aside). He devotes parts of "Bowling For Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" to the whole culture of fear, particularly in the media, and makes some pretty good points. As far as my phone goes, I think the cigarettes I smoke, the chemicals in my food and the gas in my car will kill me faster than my phone!

Do what I do. Enjoy whatever you want in moderation. Don't overdo it. Hell, George Burns lived to be 100 screwing young women and smoking huge cigars. Remember, if doing all that stuff takes years off your life, it only takes them off the end.

 

[Mong]

no they have not been saying this for 20 years. cell phones haven't even been around that long

Congratulations, that silly comment made me register for this forum.

First cell phone a true 'brick' - Technology & science - Wireless - msnbc.com

AT&T Labs - Innovation - Technology Timeline - First Mobile Telephone Call| AT&T Labs| AT&T

Martin Cooper - Inventor of the cellphone

inventors.about.com/cs/inventorsalphabet/a/martin_cooper.htm

Here Endeth The Lesson