The EWG says the list is aimed at helping consumers make better decisions about which   cell phones to buy. The free online tool offers information on each phone’s radiofrequency emissions, allowing users to compare different models.

Olga Naidenko Ph.D.,
EWG Senior Scientist

"We would like to be able to say that cell phones are safe," said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., EWG Senior Scientist and lead author of the study.

"But we can’t. The most recent science, while not conclusive, raises serious issues about the cancer risk of cell phone use that must be addressed through further research.  In the meantime, consumers can take steps to reduce exposure."

According to the CTIA Wireless Association, there were 270.3 million wireless subscribers in the U.S. as of December 2008, a 30 percent increase in three years. Worldwide 60 percent of the population or 4 billion people subscribe to wireless services.

Health agencies in six nations have issued warnings to limit cell phone use, including Switzerland, Germany, Israel, France, the U.K. and Finland. The warnings said children were particularly at risk because their skulls are thinner and less able to shield the brain from radiation.

EWG says the current cell phone radiation standards, set by the FCC and based mainly on 1992 cell phone industry recommendations, are outdated and allow 20 times more radiation to penetrate the head than the rest of the body.

EWG is asking the FCC to upgrade its standards and examine the newest scientific evidence and to consider the increasing cell phone use by children.

"The first cell phones were marketed to adults," Naidenko said. "But today, children are just as likely to own a cell phone as a video game, baseball or bicycle."

CTIA was as huge as ever with content once again dominating the show, in particular mobile music and mobile entertainment in general. User numbers are soaring, devices are plentiful and truly amazing. Loads of new apps and services are available but once again users are screaming for simple apps that are easy to access, simple to use, and affordable. Make it simple was what people are screaming for and once again content is king.

I still have loads of notes to go through but for now I have tons of images from Vegas up on the flickr gallery – see the CTIA Wireless 2006 & Navteq LBS Challenge sets – I even managed to hook up with former NFLer Jerry Rice while I was there!

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Anything Geospatial: Tracking developments affecting GIS, geospatial technologies, location-based services, mapping, google earth and google maps. Published by the creator and editor of GISuser.com & LBSzone.com