Mobile phone

A cellphone or cellular phone, also known as a mobile phone, is a portable electronic device which behaves as a normal

Controversy

Health controversy

As with many new technologies, concerns have arisen about the effects on health from using a mobile telephone. There is little scientific evidence for an increase in certain types of rare tumors in long-time, heavy users. More recently a pan-European study provided significant evidence of DNA damage under certain conditions. So far, however, the World Health Organization Task Force on EMF effects on health has no definitive conclusion on the veracity of these allegations. (see also Electromagnetic radiation hazard). It is generally thought, however, that RF is incapable of producing any more than heating effects, as it is considered non-ionizing radiation, in other words that it lacks the energy to disrupt molecular bonds such as occurs in genetic mutations.

Related Topics:
Health - Tumors - European - DNA - World Health Organization - Electromagnetic radiation hazard - Non-ionizing radiation - Genetic - Mutation

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October 15th 2004 - A study from the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institute, Sweden found that 10 years or more of cellphone use increases the risk of a benign tumor of a nerve in the brain. The tumors were found on the side of the head where the phone was usually held. The increased risk of a tumor of the auditory nerve, called an acoustic neuroma, was found to be about four times higher on the side of the head where the phone was held, and virtually normal on the other side.

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Driving controversy

Another controversial but perhaps more lethal health concern is the correlation with automobile accidents. Several studies have shown that motorists have a much higher risk of collisions and losing control of the vehicle while talking on the mobile telephone simultaneously with driving, even when using "hands-free" systems.

Related Topics:
Automobile accident - Hands-free

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Accidents involving a driver being distracted by talking on a cellphone have begun to be prosecuted as negligence similar to driving while intoxicated. In some jurisdictions, such as Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom and France, driving while using a cellphone is illegal.

Related Topics:
Ireland - Japan - United Kingdom - France - Illegal

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Security concerns

Early cellphones did not have much security designed in. Some problems with these models were "cloning", a variant of identity theft, and "scanning" whereby third parties in the local area could intercept and eaves drop in on calls.

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These activities are much more difficult with newer, digital systems (e.g. GSM) which addressed these fundamental issues.

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