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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The researchers at EWG believe government and industry standards for allowable cellphone radiation are outdated and unsafe, and until they are corrected, the burden falls on consumers to understand which devices are safe for use.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

Flickr: brieahearn

Even as people are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, millions of electronic devices are still being hauled off to the landfill. With new models constantly rolling out, used cell phones, computers, MP3 players, and every electronic device in between are being unnecessarily discarded. Not only is this extremely wasteful, but these electronics leak all kinds of toxic runoff into the soil and water surrounding the landfill.

Realizing this problem, many companies have started refurbishing electronics (especially cell phones and computers) to prevent them from ending up in landfills. There is now a growing refurbished electronics market that gives consumers a cheaper and greener option for obtaining new gadgets.

Unlike the term “new,” there is not a strict definition for items sold as “refurbished.” Often, items labeled as refurbished have simply been used and returned within a short trial period and can no longer be sold as new. These devices are sent back to the manufacturer, who restores them to their original, new condition and re-sells them, usually with a warranty.

Refurbishing electronics is a win-win-win situation for consumers, retailers and the environment. Refurbished cell phones have become increasingly popular and are available from smaller companies like Credo Mobile as well as mobile phone giants like AT & T.

Credo Mobile refurbishes their phones (like the Samsung M300 and the Sanyo Katana) by rebuilding them from used parts. Priced at $9.99 and free, respectively, with a two-year contract, these refurbished phones are  much more affordable than their “new” counterparts. Credo’s refurbished phones come with a one-year warranty.

The refurbished phones from AT&T are all phones that have been returned during the company’s 30-day trial period, restored to their original quality, and independently tested. AT & T offers a bevy of refurbished phones at significantly discounted prices, including the ever-popular iPhone and Blackberry. Their refurbished cell phones come with a 90-day warranty and the same 30-day return policy that the company gives with its new phones.

This trend of refurbishing electronic devices seems to be a no-brainer: people can buy cheaper phones, companies can still make money from phones that have been returned, and fewer electronic devices are being added to the mountains of gadgets already piled up in landfills.

By Elizabeth Wolfe

Flickr: Stevegarfield

Between reading e-mails, listening to music, playing games, taking photos, and browsing the Internet, people are demanding more than ever from their mobile phones. Now that cell phones do so much more than just make and receive calls, maintaining a good battery is crucial.

Taking proper care of a cell phone battery only requires a little common sense and (in most cases) a few tweaks to the way people already use their phones. A battery that is well-cared for not only lasts longer overall, but can also go longer in between charges than a mistreated battery.

By increasing the lives of cell phone batteries, people can spend less on new phone equipment and keep more used batteries from piling up in landfills. Batteries contain some pretty toxic ingredients, and the fewer we have wasting (and leaking) away in landfills, the better.

Obviously, batteries drain faster when phones are being used frequently (either as phones, MP3 players, web browsers, or whatever else people are doing with them these days), but there are plenty of ways to improve battery life while still enjoying use of one’s mobile device.

Keeping phones on vibrate, or even loud ringtones, drains the battery much more than a nice, low ringtone. For people who receive a lot of phone calls, adjusting the ringtone can be a great way to ensure plenty of battery remains for talk time.

Batteries also drain rapidly when they’re searching for a signal. If people turned their cell phones off instead of letting them continue in their futile quest for bars, it would preserve a great amount of energy. This is especially true in places like subways and airplanes where cell phones can’t be used anyway.

Even when there is a good signal, occasionally turning a cell phone off (rather than just silencing it) is another great way to preserve battery life. Again, this is a good trick to use when people aren’t planning to use their phones anyway, like at the movies or at night while sleeping. Basically, anytime a cell phone would be silenced for an extended period of time, it should actually just be turned off instead.

Overheating, flash photography, and excessively bright screens are all notorious battery drainers as well. With a few simple and painless changes to the way people use their cell phones, batteries can be kept properly working and out of landfills longer.

By Elizabeth Wolfe