Two studies offer some cell-phone cautions
By Janet Raloff
An expert panel in Britain offered cell-phone safety a guarded endorsement late last week. The 12 scientists, physicians, and lay members found that, to date, the balance of evidence indicates that mobile phones don’t harm health.
However, the committee did compile ample indications that cell-phone emissions can induce biological changes—the health significance of which remains open to interpretation. Therefore, the panel concluded, “it is not possible at present to say that exposure to [cell-phone] radiation, even at levels below national guidelines, is totally without potential adverse health effects.”