Healthy Phones for Oregonians

Amanda Phillips, Maha Razzaki & Jennifer Tschirpke

Cell Phone StatisticsAmerican and Global cell phone use 2000: 92 million Americans and 500 million

globally 2009: 285 million American subscribers (91%

of the population) 5 billion global users

Widespread use requires comprehensive research and safety measures to protect from potential harm Boice, J. D., & Taron, E. (2011). “Cell Phones, Cancer, and Children.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 103 (16): 1211-1213.

Exposure RisksImpact of long-term exposure (Lonn et. Al, 2004): Cell phone users with latency period at

least 10 years Increased rates of acoustic neuroma

No risk increase after short-term use Alternative explanation: Can be identified after a longer latency

period Short-term users also tend to transition

into long-term users

Lonn, S., Ahlbom, A., Hall, P. (2004). “Mobile phone use and the risk of acoustic neuroma.” Epidemiology:15:653. http://www.aefu.ch/typo3/fileadmin/user_upload/aefu-data/b_documents/themen/elektrosmog/internationale_Forschung/loehn_acoustic_neuroma.pdf

Interphone StudyInternational, largely population-based case–control study Sixteen study centers from 13 countriesOverall results: Some evidence of an elevated risk of glioma Observed higher rates of Ipsilateral tumors Conclusion: No increased risk of either glioma or meningioma Suggestions of an increased risk during highest exposure

levels:For glioma and less for meningioma

Ipsilateral exposures, glioma, and tumors in the temporal lobe.

Cardis, E. (2010). Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case–control study. International Journal of Epidemiology. 39 (3):675-694. http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/39/3/675.full

Children & Adolescent Cell Phone Users

Potential for higher risk among children and adolescent cell phone users. Hardell et. al (2004) analyzed risk associated with various age groups Highest risk levels for:

o The twenty-year-old first use group o Youngest age group at diagnosis

Possible cause: Elevated susceptibility to RF-EMF among children and

adolescents

Susceptibility factors: Smaller heads, thinner bones, and higher conductivity of their

brains Increased sensitivity to toxins Aydin et. al (2011) found no increased risk

Government’s RoleOregon state Sen. Chip Shields Requires warning labels for new cell phones and

packaging sold in Oregon

Rationale: Concerns evident in multinational Interphone study Role of Federal regulators FDA does not test devices for safety FCC does not analyze non-thermal radiation levels

and the long-term effects of exposure.Strong resistance by cell phone industry Bill failed to pass out of committee.  Kang, Celia. (2011). “Oregon considers cell phone radiation label.” http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2011/02/oregon_state_senator_chip_shie.html

Policy Aim

The aim of this policy is to take steps to inform the public of the potential health risks associated with absorption of the Radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by cell phones, especially the heightened health risks pregnant women and children face, and to protect the public from these potential risks.

Policy Goals (1) Support, sponsor, and ensure passage of SB 679

(2011) during the 2012-2013 session, which requires that cell phone retailers put Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) warning labels on the cell phones and packaging of wireless devices, advising consumers of possible risks associated with RF exposure.

(2) Support, sponsor, and ensure passage of state legislation during the 2012-2013 session that requires students to keep their cell phones off while they are on school property.

(3) Support, sponsor, and ensure passage of state legislation during the 2012-2013 session that requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to launch a Healthy Phones and Healthy Phones for Kids campaign.

Steps to Achieve Goals Create (reshape) warning label Create enforcement provisions Mobilization Meta-analysis of available information and

creation of health promotion materials

Budget Financial support for the Healthy Phones and

Healthy Phones for Kids programs will come from allocations from the OHA's public health budget.

Because these health promotion campaigns will be included in the duties of current OHA personnel, we will not face many traditional start-up costs.

However, since this is a controversial issue, and the cell phone industry will conduct its own campaign to counter the OHA efforts it would make sense to retain a marketing company such as the Metropolitan Group that has extensive experience helping to create social and behavioral change.

Mobilization The enactors of the policy shall be state

legislative decision makers and to persuade them to the necessary point of view we will need two mobilization efforts. o Convince Senators and Representatives

to support the creation of two companion bills for SB 679.

o Ensure that there is enough legislative interest and support to move the three bills out of committee, and guarantee a majority of the legislative votes.

Collaboration Create a culture of safe cell phone use

o Develop information on the risks and steps that the public can take to mitigate the risks

o Disseminate this information at the individual, group and community level as well as to law makers

o Provide opportunities for the public to be heard

o Revise materials to reflect comments and continue outreach to build consensus

Evaluation

Timeline

Questions?Thank you