The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

Wi-Fi poses danger to teen health

Freshmen use their phones in the Student Activities Hallway. Cell phones and Wi-Fi routers could potentially cause cancer by emitting radio-frequency radiation that could be absorbed by nearby students. Photo by Megan Cruz
Freshmen use their phones in the Student Activities Hallway. Cell phones and Wi-Fi routers could potentially cause cancer by emitting radio-frequency radiation that could be absorbed by nearby students. Photo by Megan Cruz

Whether she is checking her texts, scrolling through Instagram or listening to music, sophomore Hannah Wilson said she uses her cell phone almost every 10 minutes.

According to Lloyd Morgan, senior research fellow at Environmental Health Trust, an organization focused on controllable environmental health risks, Wilson’s behavior is common in teens and can lead to serious health effects over time.

A study published in December 2014 in the Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure suggests that exposure to radio-frequency radiation emitted from devices like Wi-Fi routers and cell phones is more dangerous to teens than previously thought. It stated that adolescents with a median age of 13 have an increased risk in brain cancer.

According to neuro-oncologist Santosh Kesari, teens are more susceptible to absorbing radio-frequency radiation due to their size.

“Adolescents have smaller heads and thus with specific exposures, such as a cell phone placed close to the head, the specific absorption rate dose can be much higher than [in] an adult,” Kesari said.

Although the radiation dose from Wi-Fi and cell phones is minimal, the closer the exposure, the higher the dose, Kesari said.

Morgan said that in a classroom setting, Wi-Fi routers and cell phones emit radio-frequency radiation that can be absorbed by any student nearby. Even when not in use, these devices still emit microwaves.

Wilson said she heard about the cancerous risks of Wi-Fi and cell phone radiation but never looked further into it.

“I thought it was only from talking on the phone, not just [from being near] it,” Wilson said.

According to Morgan, incidences of brain cancer in the United States are “dramatically increasing” in younger age groups.

However, Kenneth Foster, professor of bioengineering at the  University of Pennsylvania, said he believes the likelihood of any substantial health risks from Wi-Fi and cell phone radiation appearing in the future are low.

Foster said the common problem with risk research is the lack of a clear answer and variety of biases, calling the scientific evidence for dangers from Wi-Fi and cell phones “inconsistent and murky in places.”

Microwave-emitting devices have only been classified as a “possible” carcinogen, meaning they can, but do not necessarily, cause cancer, according to Foster.

“Coffee is another ‘possible’ carcinogen,” said Foster. “The available evidence is far too weak for [organizations] to classify radio-frequency energy as an established carcinogen.”

Morgan, Kesari and Foster said teens should reduce their usage of Wi-Fi and cell phones. Foster said people who are concerned about possible health risks from mobile phones should not use them or should use hands-free devices instead.

Teens can reduce their exposure to radio-frequency radiation by not keeping cell phones near beds while sleeping, turning off Wi-Fi routers when not in use and not keeping cell phones in pockets, Morgan said.

Wilson said the risk of cancer will change her interaction with microwave-emitting technology.

“I don’t want cancer,” said Wilson. “Phones, especially if you’re just on social media, aren’t completely necessary.”