topnews.in

A new online tool allows users to compare the radiation levels of more than a thousand cellphones available in the United States. The tool, created by the Environmental Working Group, comes on the heel of scientific research that suggests a link between cellphone use and brain salivary gland tumors.

The researchers at EWG believe government and industry standards for allowable cellphone radiation are outdated and unsafe, and until they are corrected, the burden falls on consumers to understand which devices are safe for use. “We would like to be able to say that cellphones are safe,” Olga Naidenko, lead author of the study, said. “But we can’t. The most recent science, while not conclusive, raises serious issues about the cancer risk of cell phone use that must be addressed through further research.  In the meantime, consumers can take steps to reduce exposure.”

The researchers conclude that the current cellphone radiation standards, set in 1992 by the Federal Communications Commission, allow 20 times more radiation to enter the head than the rest of the body. This problem, the study found, is especially pronounced in children. Children, who are increasingly likely to own and use cellphones, have softer skulls than adults and are therefore more susceptible to the harmful effects of cellphone radiation.

The report not only describes the problem of cellphone radiation, but also offers consumers advice for dealing with it. The researchers suggest cellphone users text more instead of talking on their phones, using headsets or speakerphones if possible, and not using the phone when it has a poor signal (indicated by low bars).

In terms of low radiation emissions, the EWG ranks these as the 10 best cellphones:

1.) Samsung Impression

2.) Motorola Razr V8

3.) Samsung SGH-t229

4.) Samsung Rugby

5.) Samsung Propel Pro

6.) Samsung Gravity

7.) T-Mobile Sidekick

8.) LG Xenon

9.) Motorola Karma QA1

10.) Sanyo Katana II

On the other hand, these are the 10 worst cellphones in terms of high radiation emissions:

1.) Motorola Moto VU204

2.) T-Mobile myTouch 3G

3.) Kyocera Jax S1300

4.) Blackberry Curve 8330

5.) Motorola W385

6.) T-Mobile Shadow

7.) Motorola C290

8.) Motorola i335

9.) Motorola MOTO VE240

10.) Blackberry Bold 9000

By Elizabeth Wolfe