Conspiracy Theories
Does Cell Phone Really Cause Cancer?
People are concerned that the use of cell phone can cause health issues and the worst case scenario is cancer. The reason why people is concerned is that cell phone product radio frequency energy and any nearby tissue will absorb. This type of energy is non-ionizing radiation, which according to studies, there is no evidence that this type of radiation is able to increase the risk of cancer. The only effect of this radiation is heating, and exposure to radio frequency energy will not increase the body temperature. There is a study showing that using cell phone for too long, the side of the brain that is exposed to the phone radiation produced more glucose than other side of the brain. Up to now, there is no evidence that this type of energy is able to cause cancer. According to study, a damage to DNA is the main factor of cancer while radio frequency does not damage DNA. The finding from different studies of relationship between cell phone and cancer risk is not consistent. The main reason the information is inaccurate is because the change of technology. In older studies, people use analog phone while today, people use digital cell phone, that has different frequency and lower power level. There are different conclusion from different expert organization. According to American Cancer Society, there might be some risk of cancer by using cell phone but there is no strong evidence. To those people who are worried, they can limit their exposure to cell phone and limit the use of it. According to National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences states that the scientific evidence has not been able to prove the connection between cell phone and cancer but says that more research is needed.
What does the expert say?
Kusumawati Hutabarat, Science Expert
1. Do you believe that handphone can cause brain damage? If yes, what do you think is the factor capable of damaging the brain? If no, why?
Yes; radiation.
2. If cell phone really is not dangerous, do you still think that we must restrict the use of handphone? Why or why not?
If there are proven evidences that the use of cell phones is not dangerous then we should not restrict the usage. However, the evidence should cover the time limitation in which the usage of the cell phones could affect health/not, then we can decide whether the usage should be fully restricted, or under personal control/ responsibility.
3. Do you believe that radiation even from cell phone is dangerous?
No, if it is used for a short time.
4. Do you think that too much exposure to radiation is bad for health?
Yes.
5. If overusing handphone is dangerous for our health, what do you think are some ways to take precautions?
Yes; never talk on the phone for a long period of time. The usage of a head phone may keep some distance between your ears and the phone’s signal receiver.

