Children with cellphones
© Reuters / Mike Segar
For years, we've heard of a possible link between cell phone use and cancer. Now, this week, researchers in Baltimore say the evidence is clear, and children are more at risk.

The studies link cell phones to a slew of health issues in children. That's why experts say parents and expecting mothers need to be extra careful.

Cell phones are a part of our every day lives and a cause for concern for researchers who see them as a health risk — especially for infants and children.

"The weight of the evidence is clear: cell phones do cause brain cancer," said Dr. Devras Davis, president, Environmental Health Trust.

Dr. Davis says the young brain absorbs twice as much radiation as an adult.


Comment: No cell phones for kids! They absorb 10 times more radiation in their bone marrow than adults

Dr. Leif Salford, a neurosurgeon and researcher who has conducted many studies on RF radiation and its effects on the brain called the potential implications of some of his research "terrifying." Some of the most concerning conclusions result from the fact that the weakest exposure levels to wireless radiation caused the greatest effect in causing the blood brain barrier to leak.

A scholarly article on cell phone safety in the journal Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine reports that children absorb at least twice as much microwave radiation from phones as do adults. The paper notes that the industry-designed process for evaluating microwave radiation from phones results in children absorbing twice the cellphone radiation to their heads, up to triple in their brain's hippocampus and hypothalamus, greater absorption in their eyes, and as much as 10 times more in their bone marrow when compared to adults.


Doctors and scientists from across the country took on the issue during a pediatric conference at the Baltimore Convention Center. Panelists also found a connection between exposure to cell phone radiation and other health issues.

"There's a correlation between cell phone use in pregnancy and behavioral problems in their children," said Dr. Hugh Taylor, Yale School of Medicine.

"These devices are really stressing and straining our family relationships because the average mom or dad will check their phones 60 to 110 times a day," said Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, clinical psychologist.

Doctors say the infant brain — even while in the womb — is especially vulnerable.

"Keep the phone away from the abdomen — especially toward the end of pregnancy," said Dr. Davis.

Experts say holding your phone even a few inches away can lower the risk. They recommend using headsets, and when you're not on your phone, to keep it as far away from you as possible.

"So we're getting like a triple, quadruple whammy between the biological effect, the psychological effects and the brain waves effects," said Dr. Martha Herbert, pediatric neurologist.

Effects may not be completely avoidable in a high-tech world.

Some researchers say the U.S. is lagging behind other countries when it comes to radiation research and prevention.

The Environmental Health Trust is calling on cell phone manufacturers and wireless providers to help fund research on how to treat and prevent exposure to radiation.