Washington, DC - Question about the cell phones pose a health risk was discussed several years, and scientists say that the final answer may be even years.

As the wireless industry began, there were fears that cell phones can be harmful to your health. While about 600 were carried out research on the health effects of cellular communication, the results were contradictory.

Several reputable organizations, including the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute, say that there is no conclusive evidence that the use of cell phones may harm your health. While other independent studies indicate a link between health problems and the use of mobile phone.

The study, funded in part by the wireless industry began more than a decade ago with the participation of 13 countries, called the Interior, was to decide the dispute. But the report publication has been delayed as researchers disagree over how to interpret the data. Some countries have been publishing some results on their own. Much indicates that there is a link between brain tumors and using cellular phones from 10 or more years.

During this investigation becomes public, some respected scientists in cancer research, epidemiology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as electromagnetic radiation say they see little reason for concern, while others say it’s way too early to make judgments. But it must be one they all agree on what further research.

This week, many of these scientists gather here to share research and to chart a course for further research to look at the effects of cellular communication and health. Some of them also bear witness in Senate hearing on Monday to look deeper at the risks to public health.

Currently, researchers have strong evidence to suggest how people absorb the radiation through cellular communication. Thanks to the work of scientists such as Niels Kuster, radiation expert at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, M. Gandhi, a professor and researcher at the University of Utah, are now reliable models for evaluating the absorption of radiation by using cell phones.

One of the main conclusions of the study Kuster, which was presented at the conference on Sunday, shows that children absorb twice as much radiation from cell phones as adults do, mainly because of their face and head are much smaller. And although no one knows exactly what the health consequences of this absorption is, in many countries, including Finland and France, issued a warning to parents that they should not allow their children to use cell phones.

Now researchers say they must look at how radiation that is absorbed into the body affects the electrons, chemical reactions, and ultimately, how it could change human biology.

“Hence, you are building a chain, which indicates the health consequences,” said Frank Barnes, a distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Colorado.

Scientists know that ionizing radiation causes a gap in the DNA, which can lead to cancer. But cell phones are much lower than these frequencies. As a result, some scholars argue that from non-ionizing radiation is too low power to cause damage to cells. But others argue that the effect of non-ionizing radiation on cells and DNA is still not known.

“The question is, how you can take an epidemiological study, if it is not plausible from a biological point of view?” said Ronald Herberman, director emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, a respected cancer researcher. “Based on the research, we must focus on the most plausible mechanisms and to find out whether there is a connection. There may be no direct damage to DNA, but can not damage the cells repair themselves, or may not be another mechanism.

Herberman provoked a storm of criticism last year when he issued a controversial warning to its employees urging them to restrict the use of cellular phones. He said the results of recent studies, the growing concern among European governments and unpublished internal report, was enough to prompt him to write this note.

“Many of my colleagues in the field of cancer research that I left the reservation,” he admitted. But he said that he felt that it was better to err toward caution in this situation.

Nevertheless, Herberman also critical of some research that has been done.

“Not so Most of the studies, elaborated,” he said.

Herberman said researchers need to apply the same type of process of studying possible biological markers in their studies of cell phone radiation that cancer researchers have used in the study of other causes of cancer. It also encourages researchers to obtain more reliable data on the actual use of a cell phone. A key problem in studying the epidemiology of cancer linked to cellular communications is the fact that most studies on people to rely on patients to provide information on the use of templates.

“In some of these studies, they asked people to remember how often they used the phone, and in some cases, they are asking family members of deceased subjects,” he said. “So you’re going to get some inaccurate estimates. What is really needed for the wireless industry to provide detailed information on the use.

Herberman said he asked the wireless operators to provide this information during his testimony last year at a congressional hearing called the Republic of Dennis Kucinich (D-OH). But so far the industry has been silent, “he said.

Although researchers such as Herberman, say that there is insufficient information to be “interested”, others say it is too early to sound the alarm.

Michael Thun, an honorary vice-president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society, who participated in the conference this week, said nothing to suggest that the use of mobile phones has caused a significant increase in the incidence of brain cancer. He said that he might be too early to know for sure if there is a long-term consequences of the use of cell phones, because the cancer often takes decades to manifest.

For example, he said that he took from 30 to 40 years after the start time of mass production of cigarettes to epidemiologists saw a large rise in the incidence of lung cancer. By 1950, rates of lung cancer has increased nine times.

Tung said that the worst of studies on cell phone use, such as those from Sweden, which suggest a growing brain tumor on one side of the head where the main actors have used their phones the most difficult to interpret, since the timing seems inconsistent . These studies indicate that these tumors appeared within 10 years. And Tun said that these types of tumors often grow much slower than that.

“It just does not fit, that might be expected,” he said. “But the wireless industry is developing very quickly. And it is certainly important to track. There are three to four billion people who use this technology throughout the world, so this is an important issue. “

There are cell phones safe? For many years, studies have provided conflicting results. Today, there is still no clear answer. But experts agree on one thing: more research is needed to find the answer.

In order to increase consumer awareness and urge heads of governments to allocate more funds for research, an international team of researchers is gathering in Washington, DC, later this month in the present study findings and to lobby government officials.

The issue has attracted the attention of at least one important leader of the Congress. September 14 Senator Arlen Spector, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and a former ranking minority leader in the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, will preside at the hearing questioned the scientists involved in past studies. Исследователи надеются, что призрак, который сыграл важную роль в увеличении финансирования для Национальных институтов здравоохранения от $ 12 млрд до почти $ 30 млрд и уже давно отстаивает финансирование для исследования рака, будет ввести законы, которые конкретно просит увеличить финансирование научных исследований в этой области. But until now, the ghost does not have, one way or another, if he will try to get money allocated specifically for mobile phones in medical research.

“There is reason for concern,” said Dr. Henry Lai, a bioengineering professor at the University of Washington in Seattle who has studied the effects of cell phone radiation on man since 1980. “But to prove that cell phones cause cancer or other health problems will take more work. At this stage, biological studies suggest that prolonged use can have some negative consequences for health, suffering from brain cancer as one of those consequences.”

The conference, which runs Sept. 13 to 15, is currently under the auspices of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, National Research Center for Women & Families, the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety, the flow of fund range, and environmental trust.

Researchers around the world are expected to attend the event, including leading scientists from Western and Northern Europe, where cell phones were used for far longer than it was in the U.S. Some of these researchers, including Devra Davis, a professor of public Health at the University of Pittsburgh and the main organizer of the conference may give testimony at a hearing in the Senate.

Longtime debate
For many years, researchers and scientists discussed whether the radiation from radio frequencies used for wireless transmission of telephone calls could adversely affect the health of mobile phone users. And as more people around the world use cellular phones and make these devices an integral part of their lives, the problems have grown as long-term public health problems.

In the U.S. alone more than 270 million Americans, or more than 87 percent of the U.S. population currently owns a cell phone, according to 2008 data compiled by CTIA, the trade association of wireless industry.

Experts say the concern is due to cellular form of radiation, which is performed when the wireless devices communicate with the cellular tower on the radio frequency. High-frequency radiation, such as heat, which is used in X-rays are known to cause cancer in high doses.

Mobile phones emit much less radiation frequency, but it is unknown whether it will be mild forms of RF might cause adverse biological changes to human. But the fact that mobile phones are often held close to the body or the right, along with the head or pocket, has caused some concern among researchers who believe that radio frequency energy absorbed by the body and can cause damage to cells or even cell phone users to change the DNA . Even holding the phone 10 mm from the head can lead to a reduction in exposure to RF radiation in the body about 100 times, Davis.

So far, research seems to be divided in terms of risk of such exposure. Current multi-national initiative known as the house, brought mixed results so far. Meanwhile, some studies have shown no correlation at all between mobile phone use and brain tumors.

But a few studies that have looked at long-term effects of using mobile phones suggest that people who use a cell phone, at least one hour per day during the 10-year period at an increased risk of brain tumors. This study also suggests that these tumors often be on the side of the head where the phone is most often used.

More recently, researchers have grown particularly concerned about the adverse effects that the use of mobile phone may have a child. Some Swedish studies show that children are five times more likely to get brain cancer if they use mobile phones, but other research activities found the results inconclusive.

Kid Factor
One reason for concern is the fact that kids who start using cell phones at a young age will inevitably be exposed for a longer period of time, throughout his life, so that cell phone radiation. But scientists are also concerned about the danger of mobile phones to children because a child’s nervous system is not fully developed. Moreover, their brains contain more fluid than the adult brain, which allows deeper penetration of radiation. And, finally, the skulls of children are not as fat as adults.

“The reality is that the baby’s head is different in terms of bone density and the amount of fluid in the brain than an adult,” said Davis. “And we know that the more fluid the object is, the deeper the signal can penetrate.”

Since mobile phones have only a very widely used around the 1990’s, studies are limited long-term consequences to health. But research on the impact on children is even more scarce.

Nevertheless, there was sufficient concern for public health officials in various parts of the world to justify the warning.

For example, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety (STUK), state regulatory body in the home country of Nokia, the largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world, urge parents to restrict the use of mobile phones for children, offering parents encourage children to text than talk.

“While research to date, not demonstrated health effects of mobile phone radiation, precautions are recommended for children, like all the effects are not known,” the Agency’s website reads.

France even proposed to ban advertisements encourage children younger than 12 years of using cell phones. She also warned parents that children under the age of six are particularly at risk. French law also makes it illegal sale of mobile phones without headphones, and the government is considering limiting the number of radiation that the phones can throw.

FDA’s Stance
Food and Drug Administration in the United States does not go so far as issuing warnings. But the agency recommends to minimize any potential risks with the headset and storage of mobile phone conversation to a minimum.

Federal Communications Commission in the United States also requires manufacturers to report the relative amount of RF absorbed in the head with any mobile phone. This number is known as South Africa, or the specific rate of absorption, and the agency publishes this data for consumer review. CNET used this information to your mobile phone radiation level graph.

However, researchers such as Davis said more needs to be done.

“The important question for me is why Finland, the land Nokia, has released a warning?” she said. “Why is France issued a similar warning, and why Israel, which has no Clean Air Act, warning the Government website about children using cell phones?” In the U.S. we have no such warning.

Wireless industry itself has resisted warnings or restrictions on their products. And it often points to studies that there is no connection between cancer and other harmful effects on health and the use of mobile phones.

“Peer-reviewed scientific evidence, the overwhelming majority indicated that wireless devices do not pose risks to public health”, CTIA said in a statement. “In addition, there is no known mechanism for the microwave energy within the limits set by FCC by reason of any adverse health effects. That’s why leading global organizations Heath, such as the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, the World Health Organization and the United States Food and Drug Administration all agreed that wireless devices are not a risk to health.

No public funding
Although they stopped issuing warnings, the U.S. government agencies along with other government agencies such as the European Union, stated that further research is needed to determine whether there are health risks associated with using a cell phone.

But the biggest problem in the U.S. is that government has no funds for such research.

“There was zero money for research on the effects of radiation cell phone about the last 10 years,” said Lai. “So there really was not an independent study conducted in the United States for at least a decade. The study is being done in Europe or the Far East such as China or Japan, or in Israel. Even Canada has made money available for research.”

Because there was no money available in the U.S., Lai, who was a pioneer in studying the biological effects of cell phone radiation on man, turned his research focus to the study of medical uses for electromagnetic fields.

“Fifteen years ago we were at the forefront of this research,” he said. “But now in the U.S., we have not participated in the study of the epidemiology of cellular communication at all. We, as a third world country. ”

It is likely that Senator Specter, who is a cancer survivor herself and a champion of medical research funding, try to correct through Senate hearings, which will be held on Capitol Hill later this month.

Researchers such as Davis and Lai, said that their aim is not to demonize the industry mobile phone or even suggest that the government ban the use of cell phones. But they believe that the public should be aware of the risks associated with using these devices, and that more research is needed to identify these risks and develop ways to make them safer.

Although these researchers can not say for sure that cell phones are a public health problem today, they fear that without careful study and modification, these devices can cause an epidemic of cancer and other health problems in the future because it can take decades, cancer and other diseases in the manifest.

“Mobile phones are very useful,” says Lai. “So I’m not saying that we should throw them away. But we must face the reality that there can be some adverse effects that occur in the next 10, 20 or 30 years. And we must find ways to prevent or change phone numbers to make these devices less harmful. But to do this, we first need to understand how radiation affects us. And we need money to conduct this research. “

Companies HTC Touch Pro2 is one of the new phones that come with Windows Mobile 6.5.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft hopes that the new generation of phones this fall will help the company in its quest to stay relevant in the market of cellular phones.

Producer of software, said on Tuesday that the first phones running Windows Mobile 6.5 for the whole world will begin Oct. 6 and will include work on the phones AT & T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

New generation of phones will also be the first that Microsoft will sell under the “Windows Phone” brand, attempts to use the marketing power of its flagship desktop operating system.

In Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft hopes to convince users that its phones are not only well-done job. Much of the phone Focus Microsoft recently paid to improving the consumer operating system functions, in order to regain the lost ground to rivals.

We want people to know the phone for life, “said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager of the unit Windows Mobile.” They just plain want to do more. That’s why we moved. ”

Although it includes features such as improved Web browsing and e-mail conversation thread, and the new Windows Marketplace App Store, Windows Mobile 6.5 is mainly considered as an interim update of the operating system.

Microsoft has come under criticism for a rather slow pace at which his program has become in competition with the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and Palm-Pre.

AT & T, which is one of the oldest partners of Microsoft in the mobile phone business, said she supports Windows Mobile 6.5, though the carrier acknowledged that Apple and others on the market grew faster.

Even in large corporations, Windows Mobile, does not support the position that he once seemed prepared to inherit.

“Microsoft, will probably not get a share of enterprise space, which we all would have expected three or four years ago,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president of devices for AT & T. “I think, Research In Motion have done even better than expected to get a job that action “.

AT & T did not say which of its phones will support Windows Mobile 6.5, but it will likely be a combination of new phones and the current model, which can be upgraded to the new OS. The company expects to close a gap between Windows Mobile and its competitors. Beginning next month, customers can more freely use their Windows Mobile phones on AT & T Wi-Fi network, the relevant functions are already available on your BlackBerry and iPhone users.

As for Android, AT & T still does not make publicly shipping Android phone, but Bradley said that the company is actively considering whether to do it.

“We will do what is right for customers,” said Bradley. “This is an important event in the industry, we are seeing real carefully to make sure that our customers have choices and better services.”

For its part, Ferguson said she believes that the Windows Mobile 6.5 is a significant step forward, although she declined to predict whether Microsoft will get a share as a result of his release.

“It will be fantastic phones that meet the needs of clients for a lifetime,” said Ferguson. “In the end, that’s how I judge us.”

Oct. 6 launch in connection with “consumer” Open House “event, Microsoft entertainment and devices president Robbie Bach, holds this day in New York.

One of the biggest pushes with the new release Windows Marketplace App Store. Although Microsoft has long offered tens of thousands of applications, they were difficult to find and download, the Marketplace is designed to address. Although the market will start from the Windows Mobile 6.5, Ferguson refused to say how many programs have been submitted or approved yet.

Ferguson also said that among the programs will be Netflix, Facebook, and various games.

“We need adequate Apps, that clients may have some great choices,” said Ferguson. As App Netflix, I checked and allows users to manage their queues, or watch a video preview, but do not actually watch movies, the shape of their turn. (That would be a compelling feature, I think.)

Microsoft will also officially launched its free my phone service, which was in beta. In addition to backup phone book, calendar, text messages, photos and other data, the service will also have a “Find My Phone” function, similar to iPhone Fee-based service that helps users find the lost iPhone.

In a July interview, Brix Todd said that to find my phone can be used to remotely send a message to the phone and call him in the ring, even if it is set to vibrate. If this is not its location, users can look at the map, where the last phone synchronized with the service. Users can also remotely lock the phone and send a message to its call, who has a specific call number. If it does not work, users can remotely wipe the device.

Manufacturer software said little about his plans for Windows Mobile for the current release, although the software maker has been working for more than two years at a substantial renovation of the operating system, and the collection of new consumer-oriented mobile services. Update your operating system, Windows Mobile 7, was originally expected early this year and has hit some delays. It is now not expected until next year.

Microsoft, is expected to work closely with a smaller number of manufacturers of equipment that will be among the first to adopt new products when they debut next year.

AT & T’s, Bradley refused to talk about the Microsoft road map for the future, but said that he saw some encouraging signs that the company will make the device more attractive to consumers.

“I have every reason to think that they are going to do, what happened,” said Bradley. “It is frankly imperative.”