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The researchers at EWG believe government and industry standards for allowable cellphone radiation are outdated and unsafe, and until they are corrected, the burden falls on consumers to understand which devices are safe for use.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

Bedol

This $16 clock from Bedol requires nothing but tap water and a splash of lemon juice to keep time for up to eight weeks without refreshing.

Real Goods

Water power can also be used in calculators, as this $26 model from Real Goods shows.

Advanced Mart

Hand-powered flashlights have long been popular because they can be used without batteries or electricity – especially helpful when camping or during a power outage. This $11.95 model from Advanced Mart can run for up to 25 minutes with only one minute of hand charging.

Amazon

Perhaps the most rewarding hand-powered gadget out there, this mixer makes milkshakes and smoothies with a few quick cranks. Available for $7.95 from Amazon.

Amazon

For the eco-conscious coffee connoisseur, there’s the Handpresso espresso maker that’s powered completely by hand. It sells for $89.74 from Amazon.

By Elizabeth Wolfe

Flickr: kindle.amazon

Given their recent popularity among book readers, electronic books (especially Amazon’s Kindle) could make a significant improvement to the environmental impact of the publishing industry someday soon. According to a new report by The Cleantech Group, Kindles make up for the carbon emitted during their life cycle after one year of use.

The publishing industry has a tremendous environmental impact, with 125 million trees harvested by the U.S. book and newspaper industries in 2008 alone. By transferring book publication to electronic form, however, this impact can be significantly lessened.

While a noticeable impact from Kindles is yet to be seen (only about one million units have been sold), their positive environmental effect has great potential for the future. The report predicts that 14.4 million units will be sold by 2012.

After their first year of use, Kindles save an average of 168 kilograms of carbon emissions, the amount equal to the manufacture and distribution of 22.5 books. If sales continue at the rate projected, this could mean a net carbon savings of 9.9 billion kilograms during the four-year period until 2012.

While Amazon’s Kindle leads the electronic book market with a 45 percent market share, Sony’s Reader follows with a 30 percent stake. Apple has also reported a very positive response to its free Kindle application for the iPhone.

The latest version of the Kindle sells for $299.00 at Amazon.com.

Continued sales of the devices, as well as major shifts in the publishing industry will be necessary before electronic books have an actual positive effect on the environment. Most importantly, the publishing industry will have to decrease the number of actual books printed, in addition to simply making the books available in electronic form.

The New York Times reported that 25 to 36 percent of books manufactured for sale are returned to the publisher, who then disposes of them. This represents a serious waste of the natural resources that went into producing the books, and then shipping them to (and from) the bookstore – with many never even being opened before being incinerated, recycled, or simply thrown away.

By Elizabeth Wolfe

Flickr: ClydeHouse

When it comes to most things we use on a daily basis, people are wising up to what makes a good, environmentally-friendly, product. We know which fruits are organic, which cars get better mileage, and which toys were shipped halfway around the world to reach the store shelves. In this uber-technological era we find ourselves immersed in, however, it is important to know what (if anything) makes a technological gadget green.

While this is still a pretty grey area, there is some hope for those of us clueless about green gadgets; a lot of it depends on how the device is used, not just how it is made. There are many opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of a device at different stages of its life; during production, use, and disposal. The latter two mean that individual consumers have a great opportunity to reduce the impact of their beloved devices.

One of the best ways to make your devices more environmentally-sound is to take them “off the grid” – that is, to find alternative ways to power them than the traditional wall socket. Thanks to a recent boom in user-friendly solar powering devices, consumers have plenty of options. Solar powered chargers come in all different shapes and sizes (and prices), which means the right one for you is out there.

Wind-powered devices, though not as popular, are also available for consumers looking to take their gadgets off the grid. Both solar and wind powered chargers work in the same way (besides the obvious difference in energy sources). These small devices collect energy, and convert it into a usable form for a variety of cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, and other gadgets. The correct adapter is required for each device, but most chargers come with them.

While handheld solar and wind powered devices are a great concept, there is some debate as to their effectiveness. Some argue that if the devices aren’t used often enough, the energy saved by their use is not enough to offset the energy that was used to produce and transport them in the first place. For people who are seriously looking to reduce their energy consumption, however, such chargers are a great option. For those who might not be inclined to use such a device regularly, however, many power companies offer alternative sources for the energy that is used in your home. Call your power company and see if they offer the option of using wind energy in your home.

By Elizabeth Wolfe