Cellphone radiation levels vary widely

Some cellphones emit several times more radiation than others, the Environmental Working Group found in one of the most exhaustive studies of its kind. The government watchdog group today releases a list ranking cellphones in terms of radiation. The free listing of more than 1,000 devices can be viewed online. Concerns about radiation and cellphones have swirled for years. Scientific evidence to date has not been able to make a hard link between cancer and cellphones. But recent studies "are showing increased risk for brain and mouth tumors for people who have used cellphones for at least 10 years," says Jane Houlihan, senior vice president of research at the Washington-based group. CTIA, the wireless industry lobbying association, disagrees. In a statement it noted that "scientific evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that wireless devices do not pose" a health hazard. That's why the American Cancer Society, World Health Organization and Food and Drug Administration, among others, "all have concurred that wireless devices are not a public health risk," the CTIA statement says. Houlihan acknowledges that "the verdict is still out" on whether cellphones can be linked directly to cancer. "But there's enough concern that the governments of six countries" — including France, Germany and Israel — "have issued limits of usage of cellphones, particularly for children."