Preemptive measures required for mobile phone safety

SEOUL, June 2 (Yonhap) -- The World Health Organization (WHO)'s warning that mobile phones may cause brain cancer in humans will likely cause ripple effects on mobile phone manufacturers, service providers and health organizations in South Korea.
Citing a review of studies by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the WHO said mobile phone users may be at an increased risk of brain cancer.
Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by such devices are "possibly carcinogenic to humans," according to the IARC, which classifies cancer risks. The agency classified the electromagnetic fields in Group 2B, the same category as diesel fuel, chloroform and gasoline exhaust.
It is the first time for an agency working group conducting research on radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to make a definitive classification, the IARC said, although it did not issue guidelines for cell phone use and said more studies are needed, after finding some evidence of an increased risk of glioma, or brain cancer.
South Korea applies relatively strict rules for the emission of electromagnetic fields by cell phones, requiring that cell phones sold have a specific absorption rate (SAR) level at or below 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg) taken over a volume of 1 gram of tissue, the same level the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires.
SAR levels are a measure of the maximum rate at which radio frequency (RF) energy is absorbed by the body when exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields.
The state telecommunications committee reportedly is considering setting new standards for mobile devices' emission of electromagnetic waves.
The authorities are advised to consider inserting stipulations for children's use of mobile phones in setting the new standards, as children are far more vulnerable to the emissions than adults.
We would like to urge cell phone manufacturers to start the development of new technologies to reduce the emission of electromagnetic waves.
By doing so, South Korean manufacturers will have a chance to take a larger slice of the global mobile phone market, with consumers' increased concerns about health.
Mobile service providers should not spare providing detailed guidelines for their subscribers, especially juniors and children, to let them know how to use their phones safely.