Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!netsys!vector!telecom-gateway From: bob@cloud9.stratus.com (Bob Toxen) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Possible Cancer Risk from Cellular Phones? Message-ID: Date: 30 Mar 89 00:58:47 GMT Sender: news@vector.UUCP Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA Lines: 36 Approved: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 115, message 1 of 8 Cellular phones DON'T cause cancer! In order for electromagnetic radiation to cause cancer and almost all other problems to the human body it must be of a high enough energy (frequency) to ionize one's atoms. This is what is meant by the term "ionizing radiation", which you might have heard. The minimum frequency is that of ultraviolet. These, X-rays, and Gamma rays are the cancer danger. Even these are not a significant risk to the average person. The main danger from lower frequencies is if the intensity is so high that the heating from the absorbed radiation is excessive. This is the cooking effect of a microwave oven. Another danger is induced electric currents in older unshielded heart pacemakers since it takes only minute currents flowing directly through the heart for problems. The public cannot get close enough to radio towers to be at risk without ignoring signs, climbing fences, and trespassing. I have been within 600 feet of television antennas without harm without harm without harm :^) Regarding the quoted "expert" claiming danger from them, many people have irrational fears and being an technical expert does not protect someone (from the fear.) People who are afraid to fly airplanes even though airlines are 100 times safer per mile per person than automobiles and even "small" planes are as safe as automobiles are an example. Nikola Tesla, who invented radio and worked within a few dozen feet of equipment producing millions of volts of electricity, was deathly afraid of germs even though the chances of his being electrocuted were far higher. (He died of old age.) [To avoid flames, Marconi did NOT invent radio but he did infringe on Tesla's patents as determined by the U. S. Supreme Court. References available on request.] -- Bob Toxen {ucbvax!harvard,cloud9!es}!anvil!cavu!bob Stratus Computer, Marlboro, MA