In just more than a decade, the mobile phone industry has successfully infiltrated almost every region of the world. Even in the most remote villages such as Karanehalli, India, a village in which running water and electrical lamps are inexistent, inhabitants have cell phones. If cell phones were viruses, the world would have a pandemic on its hands.\nAlthough that scenario remains next to impossible at best, a growing debate has in fact arisen about the concerns surrounding cell phone usage and the potential health of cell phone users. One of the most recent and perhaps most alarming concerns related to cell phone usage is whether cell phones might lead to cancer. Many studies have been conducted in the past several years to explore possible links between brain tumors and cell phone use. While no study has conclusively established a causal relationship between cell phone usage and cancer, one new Swedish study claims to have found evidence for such a link.\nAccording to the National Cancer Institute, cell phones have been inconsistently linked to cancer because they operate by way of electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic radiation is known to cause cancer. There are, however, two types of radiations - ionizing and non-ionizing - and only the former has been proven to cause cancer, according to the Institute.\nMedical professional Samar Sankari, M.D., said although cell phone use appears safe at this point, the widespread use of cell phones makes it extremely difficult to conduct conclusive research.\n"There is no control group," Sankari said. "Virtually everyone uses cell phones these days. They are now starting to look at a change in demographics though. Are we seeing tumors in younger age groups? These are only anecdotal reports, but we may be starting to see a change."\nWhile several members of the scientific community may be concerned, it seems that some University students are not. When asked if she was concerned about radiation from her phone, third-year Education student Ariane Casper said she had never really given much thought to the issue.\nSecond-year College student Will Feeney similarly said he also was not worried.\n"I'm not discounting the fact that there might be health effects, but from what I've seen so far, I'm not convinced," he said.\nOnly time will tell how much of a health impact cellular phones have on the development of cancer cells.\n"To date, we have no real reason to be concerned about cell phone use causing brain tumors, although only time will tell," Sankari said. "If you are really concerned, though, you can wear a headset."\nBecause absorption of radiation drops exponentially with distance, moving the radiation away from one's head can decrease exposure, she said.
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