Are Cell Phones Dangerous? Or, more to the point, is the radiation emitted from a cell phone a hazard to your health and well being? Last fall I didn’t know much, if anything, about the risks of cell phones and wireless devices.
Since then I’ve spent hundreds of hours researching the effects of the radio frequency radiation that our smart devices emit. The results of my inquiry are somewhat frightening. Why? Because a growing body of evidence shows that wireless radiation, even at low levels, can be harmful to our health in many ways.
Do Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer?
Cell phones are listed as a Class 2B carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). This category is defined as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” putting cell phones and other smart devices in the same category as lead, DDT, and jet fuel.1
According to a study in the journal Pathophysiology, heavy cell phone use triples the risk of brain cancer.2 This study also demonstrated that individuals who began using cell phones as teenagers more than quadrupled their risk of brain cancer.3
Researchers at the National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducted a study exposing rodents to radio-frequency radiation levels emulating those that humans experience with heavy cell phone use. The findings concluded that such exposure is associated with the formation of cancer in the brains of rats.4
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
In 2008, Dr. Ronald Herberman, an oncologist, as well as Founder and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Care Center, issued a memo stating:5
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Recently I have become aware of the growing body of literature linking long-term cell phone use to possible adverse health effects including cancer. Although the evidence is still controversial, I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phone use.
Dr. Herberman recommended that children should not be “allowed to use cell phones other than for emergencies,” and also warned, “Avoid using your cell phone in places like a bus where you can expose others to your phone’s EMFs.” He further stated that people should, “Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times.”
The Powerful Telecom Lobby
Did you know that the telecommunications lobby spends more than $87 million per year convincing our elected officials that cell phones are safe?6
The telecommunications industry is fighting an ordinance in Berkeley, California requiring cell phone retailers to post warnings for customers regarding the radiation exposure from mobile devices.7 These warnings are found in fine print, buried deep in cell phone user manuals. Lobbyists claim that posting these warnings will cause undue panic.8 For the iPhone this reads:
To be sure that human exposure to RF energy does not exceed FCC, IC, and EU guidelines always follow these instructions and precautions. When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 5/8 inch away from the body.9
In 1977, Berkeley became the first American city to ban smoking in restaurants. Who have the cell phone companies enlisted to fight this battle? The same lawyer that defended Big Tobacco for decades.
Other Sources of Wireless Radiation
In addition to cell phones, there are many other sources of wireless radiation including:
- Smart Meters
- Computers Using Wi-Fi
- Wireless Printers
- Wi-Fi Routers
- Wireless Speakers
- Cordless Phones
- Microwaves
- Smart Home Devices Including:
- Light Switches
- Thermostats
- Sound Systems
- Door Locks
- TV’s and Remotes
- Appliances (Dishwashers, Washers, Dryers)
- Smart Watches and Fitness Trackers
- Airport Scanners
- Gaming Consoles
- Baby Monitors
My Personal Experience with Wireless Radiation
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006. After that initial MS attack, I was highly functional until 2014. That was around one year after we moved into our new house.
I was involved in every aspect of building the house, other than the electronics. Our contractor recommended a smart house. I did not research the implications, let alone the potential impacts that hundreds of wireless access points in one’s living space could have.
As time passed in our new home I became sicker. I also spent more time at home, which I later learned made me even sicker. Finally, I hired two building biologists (Riun Ashlie and Risa Suzuki) to investigate the complex systems we installed. What did we find? Something rather frightening.
Smart meters contain a device that communicates wirelessly using radio frequency radiation. This is called a zigbee chip. We had more than 200 zigbee chips in our new home and it’s taken months to remove all of the smart technology. If you look at the list above, we had a large portion of the devices on it.
We removed the last smart technology from our house in February. For three and a half years I lived in a home that contained radio frequency radiation levels well over 1,000 times those recommended by the Building Biology Association. It’s now been eight weeks since we removed the last of the smart lighting system and other devices.
I’m starting to feel better, but I know it may take more than a few weeks to get well after sleeping with 3 zigbee chips within a meter of my head as well as all around my living space. I’ll keep you posted on my progress and will continue to discuss the health ramifications of wireless technology and the radio frequency radiation that accompanies it.
For more information on steps you can take to reduce your exposure to radio frequency radiation see:
Sheri says
I just wanted to say that one of the reasons I admire your site so much is that not only do you share your healthy eating experiences, but also other aspects of your life that affect your health. And you not only share, but you respond to the comments that your subscribers post. There are not many people who actually respond to their subscribers, or monitor what is posted, which is why i think some of the site turn into a free for all. So thank you for showing that you care about us as well!
Elana says
Sheri, thanks! It is my pleasure to share a wide variety of the aspects of life that affect my health. And I love interacting with you and all of my other readers :-)
Carol Conway says
OMG!!! I trust each day away from the ‘killers’ will be gently bringing you back to health!
Be well!!!!!!
~Carol
Elana says
Carol, yes! I’m feeling a little bit better every week since we removed the equivalent of 200 smart meters from our living space. It’s amazing :-)
Sandi Worthman says
Elana,
Thank you for sharing your personal journey. I love your recipes and have shared your site with more folks than I can remember. I am thankful for your diligence in finding the toxins in your life and pray that you (and others) find good health and wellness by taking the right steps to cleanse your body and your environment.
G-d Bless,
SW
Elana says
Sandi, thanks for sharing my site with so many people and for being on this healing path with me :-)
Christene says
As always your information is so helpful. I was thinking of getting a Smart Meter. I will not do so now. As part of my day job I sit in front of 3 computers. I thought it was the stress of the job that made me feel as if someone was draining my energy. Whenever I step outside I feel so much better. Now I understand. So it will definitely affect my new job search. Thank you so much for all the time you give to made us better informed humans.
Elana says
Christene, thanks for your comment. Remember you can hard wire computers into a hard wired router to avoid having them on WiFi and exposing yourself to radio frequency radiation. And in terms of the second part of your comment, I love making myself a better informed human and it is my pleasure to share my research with others :-)
Rosemarie Russell says
Thank you Elana! I am fighting EHS and have had success with shielding and nutritional support. I recommend having your DNA tested too. Once you receive your DNA file you can upload the file to services like livewello.com and receive a report of your genetic variants. You can move forward with that information by researching other sites like selfhack.com, snpedia.com and others. I used 23andme.com to get my report and health info. This was relatively inexpensive. I have now participated in the genesforgood.com study through Michigan University which was free if you are willing to participate in their surveys. After reviewing a lot of information I found that I had gene variants that are associated with EHS as shown in two studies. I have eliminated foods that are excitotoxins, take specific supplements to compensate for enzymes I may not have and others to support my impairment affecting methylation. Many bright Drs. are now working in this area and adding to the knowledge base.
Elana says
Thanks Rosemarie! I have the MTHFR genetic mutation which has definitely been a factor in dealing with the tremendous amount of EMF’s that we had in our house.
Cindy Robbins says
Wow this is something to look into, and see where I can get a DNA done. I will look up the websites also. My fibromyalgia is very bad in most days.
Thanks for info
Blessings
Cindy
Katie says
Thanks for sharing, Elana. We watched a documentary found on Amazon the other night and called the next day to have our Smart Meter removed, especially because it’s mounted on our bedroom wall.
The movie is called “Take Back Your Power.”
Praying that this is what was holding you back from feeling great and for a quick return to health. XO
Elana says
Thanks Katie!
David says
Thank for confirming what i have long suspected. Please keep sharing your knowledge and recipes.
Elana says
David, thanks so much for your lovely comment :-)
sandy fuchs says
Wow. That is scary information. In a world where having a computer is almost a necessity, how do you have wifi in your home and still be safe? Have you given up cell phones completely? And using a microwave? I have tried to focus on healthier food, cleaning and health care products, but I didn’t realize how bad this is. It is going to difficult to make these changes so any helpful advice would be appreciated.
Elana says
Sandy, thanks for your comment! We don’t have WiFi in our house, we plug our computers into a router. For more on all the steps we’ve taken go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/simple-steps-to-reduce-emfs/
Take Care,
Elana
Laura Crozier says
I am having the same thoughts as you, Sandy. Thanks for all you’ve done to investigate this and bring it to our attention, Elana. Of course we all evolve as our technology does and don’t often, or thoroughly, think about the implications of a “smart” life (which is, in fact, a “sick” life based on what you’ve discovered).
Elana says
Laura, wow! What an amazing comment. Thanks for your thoughtfulness and deep insight. The “smart” life was a “sick” life for me.
sue says
thank you for being brave & speaking out!! many folks will mock & claim you’re now advocating we all wear tin foil hats.
Elana says
Thanks Sue!
Elana says
What were your symptoms?
Elana says
Elana, I describe that in this post:
https://elanaspantry.com/a-piece-of-me/
Take Care,
Elana
Lisa says
Elana,
I have read the Piece of Me article, but am wondering about your symptoms from the radiation?
Thank you for all you do!
Elana says
Lisa, those are the symptoms.
Elana says
Lisa, thanks for your comment. Those are the symptoms.