Dangers of Everyday Technology

15. Dangers of Everyday Technology

Recent research raises compelling concerns about two commonplace technologies, cellular phones and microwave ovens. Heavy, long-term exposure to cell phone radiation increases risks for certain types of cancer, including leukemia, and in males impairs sperm production. Prenatal exposure to cell phone radiation has been shown to produce blood-brain barrier leakage, and brain, liver, and eye damage. The microwave radiation that heats food also creates free radicals that can become carcinogenic, while the consumption of microwaved foods is associated with short-term decreases in white blood cells. The Food and Drug Administration has yet to recognize studies that indicate microwave ovens alter foods’ nutritional structure, and, as with the dangers of cell phone use, most studies indicating minimal or no health risks are, in fact, industry-sponsored. 

Censored News Cluster: Environment and Health

Devra Davis, “Cell Phone Radiation: Is It Dangerous?” Huffington Post, March 1, 2011, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/devra-davis-phd/cell-phone-radiation-_b_828330.html.
Tamir S. Aldad et al., “Fetal Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure From 800–1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones Affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice,” Nature, March 15, 2012, http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/120315/srep00312/full/srep00312.html.
Carole Bass, “Cell Phones Might Cause ADHD,” Yale Alumni Magazine (blog), March 15, 2012, http://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/blog/?p=13736.
Markham Heid, “Cell Phones Could Hurt Your Sperm,” Men’s Health, August 16, 2011, http://news.menshealth.com/breaking-cell-phones-could-hurt-your-sperm/2011/08/16.
Markham Heid, “The Worst Place to Keep Your Cell Phone,” Men’s Health, August 4, 2011, http://news.menshealth.com/cell-phone-safeguards/2011/08/04.
Devra Davis, “Beyond Brain Cancer: Other Possible Dangers Of Cell Phones,” Huffington Post, June 15, 2011, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/devra-davis-phd/cell-phones-cancer_b_874361.html.
Richard Stossel, “Microwaved Water Kills Plant in Home Grown Experiment,” NaturalNews, April 2, 2011, http://www.naturalnews.com/031929_microwaved_water_plants.html.
Christopher Gussa, “Microwaves Ovens: The Curse of Convenience,” NaturalNews, April 14, 2008,
 http://www.naturalnews.com/023011_microwave_food_oven.html.
Anthony Lane and Lawrence Newell, “The Hazards of Microwave Ovens,” 

Health & Science, no date, http://www.health-science.com/microwave_hazards.html.
http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2012/04/09/research-clarifies-cell-phone-danger/
http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2012/01/25/growing-research-points-to-health-risks-of-microwave-ovens/

Student Researchers: Aaron Peacock (San Francisco State University); Todd Roller (Florida Atlantic University)

Faculty Evaluators: Kenn Burrows (San Francisco State University); James F. Tracy (Florida Atlantic University)