Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer? (Grades 10 11)

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Geraldine Wood
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1 Printed by: Irving Harrison Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer? (Grades 10 11) Photo credit: AP LYON, France (Achieve3000, September 16, 2011). A respected international panel of scientists concluded that cell phones may "possibly" cause cancer in humans. But don't drop your cell phone just yet. The group said that more research is required to determine whether the devices are in fact carcinogenic or not. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determines carcinogen levels using a five-tier scale: Group 1 contains agents such as tobacco smoke that definitely cause cancer in humans. Agents in Group 2A "probably" cause cancer. Agents in Group 2B "possibly" cause cancer. Agents in Groups 3 and 4 either do not cause cancer or cannot be classified due to a lack of evidence. After a review of dozens of published studies, scientists with the IARC classified cell phones as a "Group 2B" carcinogen. That places it in the "possibly" group. The classification of cell phones as possibly carcinogenic was made after a thorough review of the type of radiation produced by cell phones. Cell phones send signals to towers via radio frequency waves. This form of energy is similar to FM radio waves and microwaves. But the radiation produced by cell phones is different from stronger types of radiation like X-rays or ultraviolet light (which are Group 1 carcinogens). At very high levels, radio frequency waves from cell phones can heat up body tissue, but that is not believed to damage human cells. After the review, the expert panel explained that there was limited evidence linking cell phone radiation to brain tumors. The group also said there was inadequate evidence to draw conclusions about a link between cell phones and other types of cancer. "We found some threads of evidence telling us how cancers might occur. But there were acknowledged gaps and uncertainties," said Jonathan Samet of the University of Southern California. Samet is the panel's chairman. The panel suggested that additional research is required. Many cancerous tumors take decades to develop, experts said. The studies conducted so far haven't tracked people for longer than about a decade. Therefore, it's impossible to conclude that cell phones have no long-term health risks. In addition, people's cell phone habits have changed dramatically 1 of 7 12/16/11 10:00 AM

2 since the first studies began years ago. This means it's unclear if the results of previous research would still apply today. So should people stop using cell phones until more research is done? Scientists say no. According to health experts, classifying cell phones as possible cancer-causing agents doesn't mean they automatically cause cancer. A person's risk for developing cancer depends on a variety of factors. Risk factors for cancer range from genetic makeup to the amount and length of time of an exposure. Therefore, experts said, the ruling shouldn't change people's cell phone habits. "Anything is a possible carcinogen," said Donald Berry, a professor at the University of Texas. "This is not something I worry about, and it will not in any way change how I use my cell phone," he said speaking from his cell phone. Some health experts recommended that if people are troubled by the possible health dangers of cell phones that they use a headset or earpiece. Experts also said that it's reasonable to limit children's use of cell phones since their brains are still developing. "If there is a risk, most of it goes away with a wireless earpiece," said Otis Brawley. Brawley is chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. Brawley added that people should focus on the real health hazards of cell phones. "Cell phones may cause brain tumors," Brawley said, "but they kill far more people through automobile accidents." The Associated Press contributed to this story. Dictionary carcinogenic (adjective) having to do with something that causes cancer (a disease that spreads through the body) radiation (noun) tier (noun) energy that is given off by the sun, certain kinds of rocks, man-made machines, and more; some radiation is helpful, some is not one of several levels, each of which is progressively higher or greater in degree 2 of 7 12/16/11 10:00 AM

3 Instructions: Select the letter of the correct answer. Question 1: According to the article, why aren't health experts recommending that people change their cell phone habits? Because scientists did not find definite evidence that the devices cause cancer Because the IARC could not classify the devices as carcinogens due to a lack of evidence Because only a small percentage of people use headsets or earpieces with the devices Because most people have already stopped using the devices while operating automobiles Question 2: The best alternate headline for this article would be. Cell Phones "Possibly" Carcinogenic, But More Study Needed Study Shows Cell Phone Radiation as Bad as X-rays and UV Light Tobacco Smoke "Definitely" Carcinogenic, But Cell Phones Worse Researchers Find Cell Phone Radio Waves Heat Up Body Tissue Question 3: The article states: After a review of dozens of published studies, scientists with the IARC classified cell phones as a "Group 2B" carcinogen. 3 of 7 12/16/11 10:00 AM

4 Which would be the closest synonym for the word classified? Categorized Banned Combined Belittled Question 4: The reader can infer from the article that. Linking cell phones to cancer was probably simple because scientists have been studying cell phone radiation since Scientists with the IARC would probably rather see people smoking cigarettes than talking on cell phones. Using an earpiece probably cuts the risk of cancer because it keeps the phone's radiation away from the person's head. Donald Berry probably stopped using his cell phone after the IARC's finding was announced. Question 5: This article would be most useful as a source for a student research project on. The benefits of low-level radiation in the medical field Important differences between radio waves and microwaves Foods that counter the harmful effects of radio waves Sources of low-level radiation in everyday life Question 6: Which question is not answered by the article? Is the radiation produced by cell phones the same as X-rays or ultraviolet light? 4 of 7 12/16/11 10:00 AM

5 Can talking using the speaker-phone mode help to protect people from the device's radiation? Has the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined whether tobacco smoke is a carcinogen? Why do health experts say it's reasonable to limit children's use of cell phones? Question 7: Which of these is most important to include in a summary of this article? A respected international panel of scientists determined that tobacco smoke can definitely cause cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has developed a five-tier scale for ranking carcinogenic agents. Experts found that the risk for developing cancer depends on factors ranging from genetics to the amount of exposure. Scientists have categorized cell phones as a possible carcinogen and suggested that more research is required. Question 8: Which two words from the article are the closest synonyms? Radiation and tumor Ultraviolet and carcinogenic Conclude and determine Automatically and dramatically 5 of 7 12/16/11 10:00 AM

6 magine that you've just read the recent IARC study of cell phones. Write a journal Ientry about your reaction to the findings. Be sure to include details about the study in your writing. Type your answer in the text box below. In light of the IARC's finding, should people modify their cell phone habits? Yes No Instructions: Select the letter of the correct answer. Question 1: Cell phones send signals to towers via radio frequency waves, a form of energy similar to FM radio waves. The frequency for one kind of radio wave is 1 x 10 8 Hertz. Which of these numbers is equal to 1 x 10 8? 1,000, ,000,000 6 of 7 12/16/11 10:00 AM

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Reduce your exposure to cell phone radiation now!

Reduce your exposure to cell phone radiation now! Is Exposure to Cell Phone Radiation Really Dangerous to Your Health? The telecommunications industry has claimed for years that cell phone usage is safe,