Cellular telephones were originally installed in cars or were large hand-held units. Now, more than 80 million Americans use pocket-sized cellular phones as a principal form of communication. Many believe that these smaller phones, with their smaller antenna, increase exposure to microwaves and pose a potential health threat to the frequent user.

The potential harms of cellular telephones were brought to light in 1993, when a Florida man filed a lawsuit claiming that his wife's cellular phone had caused her brain tumor. Wireless Technology Research (WTR), formed by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) to research the effects of cellular phones, has indicated several health problems traceable to radiation exposure due to phone use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) however, has not indicated any proven ill effects of cellular phone use.

Numerous independent studies have been conducted over the last decade, and the debate continues over whether stricter standards should be placed on the amount of radiation these phones give off. On One Hand...

There is growing evidence that supports the potential danger of cellular phones. One recent study indicated that the number of immune cancer cells doubled in mice exposed to microwaves.

Others indicate that memory loss and the formation of tumors can be related to microwave exposure caused by call phone use. Dr. George Carlo, former WTR chairman, has stated that studies of possible harm from cellular phones indicate evidence of genetic damage in human blood and brain cancer among wireless phone users. He has also suggested that while all the studies may not be conclusive, that there is, "more data suggesting problems with wireless phones than the FDA had when it banned silicone breast implants."

In a manner eerily reminiscent of the tobacco industry's decades of denial, the $200 billion per year cellular phone industry may be using its influence to suppress widespread release of this mounting scientific evidence.

On the Other Hand...

The Cellular Telecommunications Association (CTIA) has spent more than $25 million researching the health effects of mobile hones and has never tried to withhold any information or any negative comments regarding findings.

While some controversial experiments may suggest that excessive exposure to microwaves can be harmful, these experiments involve exposure at much greater rates and in much different conditions than those of cellular phone users. A number of studies, including several conducted by the FDA indicate no proven linkage between usage and health effects, but the media largely ignores these reports. Scientific results are frequently inconclusive, but the cellular phone industry has been forced to defend itself frequently against accusations that are hyped and unsupported by evidence.

• The basic concept behind cellular technology has existed since 1947, however the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) delayed development of the technology until 1982.

• A prototype cellular system was constructed and operated by AT&T Bell labs in 1977.

• The first commercial cellular telephone system began operation in Tokyo in 1979.

• A 1993 lawsuit alleged a woman's brain tumor had been caused by her mobile phone, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) formed Wireless Technology Research (WTR) and granted it more than $25 million to study possible health risks of mobile phone use.

• More than 80 million Americans use mobile phones. By 2002 there will be another 30 million users.

• Range of transmissions from the antenna as radio frequency radiation (RFR) between 800 MHz and 1,990MHz, in the middle of microwave territory.

• According the George Carlo, WTR's chairman said that, "we now have more data suggesting problems with wireless phones than the FDA had when it banned silicone breast implants."

• The FDA has stated that it cannot conclude whether cellular phones are safe or not, but so long as it is not positive that there are no ill effects, study must continue. The FDA does set limits to the amount of radiation a phone can give off; however, according to a recent 20/20 report, depending on the position a phone is tested in, they can often exceed these limits.

• In a recent study involving rates of cancer, it was noted that waves with a frequency of 2,450MHz were used, when a cellular phone usually works around 800MHz, and that the time and condition of the rats' exposure to the microwaves could not be compared to the exposure humans get while talking on a cell phone. The researcher found the results inconclusive and said that much more research was necessary.

ABC News, CNN, PC Computing, Washington Post