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Whether cellphone is safe to use has been argued over a long time. Some believe its radio frequency (RF) energy is minor to break chemical bond – that is to affect our health – recent study from William J. Bruno told us cellphone works in classical microwave which confirms many experimental observations. (William Bruno Ph.D, 26 Apr 2011). Unlike industry funded cellphone research, independent research did find correlation between cellphone use and brain cancer (Pathophysiology, Volume 16, Issue 2, Pages 137-147  L Morgan).

After a debate on cellphone use leading to cancer, the WHO recently decided to have a meeting regarding this topic.  On May 24–31 2011, 31 scientists from 14 countries met at IARC in Lyon, France, to assess the potential carcinogenic danger from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (www.iarc.fr). “The World Health Organization says it will convene an expert meeting this month to determine whether radiation from cellphones and other wireless devices causes cancer.” (The Associated Press, May. 20, 2011, http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20110520/world-health-organization-to-assess-cell-phones-link-to-cancer-110520/)

On May 31st, IARC published its latest news that “The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, and associated with wireless phone use.”  (http://www.iarc.fr/) The correlation between using wireless phones and other types of cancer remains unknown. The current evidence has been enough to mark cellphone as “possible carcinogenic”. Specifically speaking, the cellphone radiation is affecting the cellular growth in our brains, which will lead to Glioma, a malignant brain cancer. The group announced that “at least one previous study found a 40 percent increased risk of brain cancer among cell phone users who talked on their mobile phones for at least 30 minutes per day for 10 years.” (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2011-06/07/c_13914518.htm)

The working group’s report will be published in the July 1 issue of The Lancet Oncology.

Now that cellphone is listed as possibly carcinogenic to humans, those who often talk on a phone should be careful and use common sense: “if you’re inside, use a landline. Text if possible. Don’t put your cell phone in your pocket. Use a device that plugs in, such as an ear bud or other hands-free device (not Bluetooth)” (http://www.globalnews.ca/Limiting+risk+cell+phone+radiation/4875953/story.html), try to make calls short and wait for a strong signal, because “Cell phones emit much more energy seeking a strong signal when the reception is low”(http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2011/jun/070611-Time-to-ditch-the-cell-phone.htm)”

Unfortunately, some people argued that "Currently in Canada there is no one protecting the health of people from radiofrequency radiation"  during a city council meeting, while “Wind Mobile urges council not to make policies that slow investment in cellphone service” (http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3157762)

There have been rapid developments and inventions during the recent decades; however, due to the limited knowledge about ourselves, we might not be fully aware of some affects these developments bring. Like a stumbling child, we, human beings learn from our mistakes, and sometimes at the cost of people’s lives. Take Japan’s nuclear plant disaster for example, and how the environment will be affected for decades due to human mistakes. Fortunately, we have organizations like IARC which can, to a certain degree, investigate and warn us of potential dangers.. The wireless phone is a relatively new invention, and more and more research will focus on it until one day when we fully understand its benefits and negative effects.