Download Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer? (Grades 10-11)

Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
Printed by: Irving Harrison
Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer? (Grades 10‑11)
Photo credit: AP
LYON, France (Achieve3000, September 16, 2011). A
respected international panel of scientists concluded that cell
phones may "possibly" cause cancer in humans. But don't
drop your cell phone just yet. The group said that more
research is required to determine whether the devices are in
fact carcinogenic or not.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determines carcinogen levels
using a five-tier scale: Group 1 contains agents such as tobacco smoke that definitely cause
cancer in humans. Agents in Group 2A "probably" cause cancer. Agents in Group 2B
"possibly" cause cancer. Agents in Groups 3 and 4 either do not cause cancer or cannot be
classified due to a lack of evidence. After a review of dozens of published studies, scientists
with the IARC classified cell phones as a "Group 2B" carcinogen. That places it in the
"possibly" group.
The classification of cell phones as possibly carcinogenic was made after a thorough review
of the type of radiation produced by cell phones. Cell phones send signals to towers via radio
frequency waves. This form of energy is similar to FM radio waves and microwaves. But the
radiation produced by cell phones is different from stronger types of radiation like X-rays or
ultraviolet light (which are Group 1 carcinogens). At very high levels, radio frequency waves
from cell phones can heat up body tissue, but that is not believed to damage human cells.
After the review, the expert panel explained that there was limited evidence linking cell
phone radiation to brain tumors. The group also said there was inadequate evidence to draw
conclusions about a link between cell phones and other types of cancer.
"We found some threads of evidence telling us how cancers might occur. But there were
acknowledged gaps and uncertainties," said Jonathan Samet of the University of Southern
California. Samet is the panel's chairman.
The panel suggested that additional research is required. Many cancerous tumors take
decades to develop, experts said. The studies conducted so far haven't tracked people for
longer than about a decade. Therefore, it's impossible to conclude that cell phones have no
long-term health risks. In addition, people's cell phone habits have changed dramatically
1 of 7
12/16/11 10:00 AM
Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
since the first studies began years ago. This means it's unclear if the results of previous
research would still apply today.
So should people stop using cell phones until more research is done? Scientists say no.
According to health experts, classifying cell phones as possible cancer-causing agents
doesn't mean they automatically cause cancer. A person's risk for developing cancer depends
on a variety of factors. Risk factors for cancer range from genetic makeup to the amount and
length of time of an exposure. Therefore, experts said, the ruling shouldn't change people's
cell phone habits.
"Anything is a possible carcinogen," said Donald Berry, a professor at the University of
Texas. "This is not something I worry about, and it will not in any way change how I use my
cell phone," he said—speaking from his cell phone.
Some health experts recommended that if people are troubled by the possible health dangers
of cell phones that they use a headset or earpiece. Experts also said that it's reasonable to
limit children's use of cell phones since their brains are still developing.
"If there is a risk, most of it goes away with a wireless earpiece," said Otis Brawley. Brawley
is chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.
Brawley added that people should focus on the real health hazards of cell phones.
"Cell phones may cause brain tumors," Brawley said, "but they kill far more people through
automobile accidents."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Dictionary
carcinogenic (adjective)
radiation (noun)
tier (noun)
2 of 7
having to do with something that causes cancer (a
disease that spreads through the body)
energy that is given off by the sun, certain kinds of rocks,
man-made machines, and more; some radiation is helpful,
some is not
one of several levels, each of which is progressively higher or
greater in degree
12/16/11 10:00 AM
Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
Instructions:
Select the letter of the correct answer.
Question 1:
According to the article, why aren't health experts recommending that people change
their cell phone habits?
Because scientists did not find definite evidence that the devices cause cancer
Because the IARC could not classify the devices as carcinogens due to a lack
of evidence
Because only a small percentage of people use headsets or earpieces with the
devices
Because most people have already stopped using the devices while operating
automobiles
Question 2:
The best alternate headline for this article would be __________.
Cell Phones "Possibly" Carcinogenic, But More Study Needed
Study Shows Cell Phone Radiation as Bad as X-rays and UV Light
Tobacco Smoke "Definitely" Carcinogenic, But Cell Phones Worse
Researchers Find Cell Phone Radio Waves Heat Up Body Tissue
Question 3:
The article states:
After a review of dozens of published studies, scientists with the IARC
classified cell phones as a "Group 2B" carcinogen.
3 of 7
12/16/11 10:00 AM
Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
Which would be the closest synonym for the word classified?
Categorized
Banned
Combined
Belittled
Question 4:
The reader can infer from the article that __________.
Linking cell phones to cancer was probably simple because scientists have
been studying cell phone radiation since 1985.
Scientists with the IARC would probably rather see people smoking cigarettes
than talking on cell phones.
Using an earpiece probably cuts the risk of cancer because it keeps the phone's
radiation away from the person's head.
Donald Berry probably stopped using his cell phone after the IARC's finding
was announced.
Question 5:
This article would be most useful as a source for a student research project on
__________.
The benefits of low-level radiation in the medical field
Important differences between radio waves and microwaves
Foods that counter the harmful effects of radio waves
Sources of low-level radiation in everyday life
Question 6:
Which question is not answered by the article?
Is the radiation produced by cell phones the same as X-rays or ultraviolet
light?
4 of 7
12/16/11 10:00 AM
Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
Can talking using the speaker-phone mode help to protect people from the
device's radiation?
Has the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined whether
tobacco smoke is a carcinogen?
Why do health experts say it's reasonable to limit children's use of cell
phones?
Question 7:
Which of these is most important to include in a summary of this article?
A respected international panel of scientists determined that tobacco smoke
can definitely cause cancer in humans.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has developed a five-tier
scale for ranking carcinogenic agents.
Experts found that the risk for developing cancer depends on factors ranging
from genetics to the amount of exposure.
Scientists have categorized cell phones as a possible carcinogen and suggested
that more research is required.
Question 8:
Which two words from the article are the closest synonyms?
Radiation and tumor
Ultraviolet and carcinogenic
Conclude and determine
Automatically and dramatically
5 of 7
12/16/11 10:00 AM
Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
that you've just read the recent IARC study of cell phones. Write a journal
Imagine
entry about your reaction to the findings. Be sure to include details about the study
in your writing.
Type your answer in the text box below.
In light of the IARC's finding, should people modify their cell phone habits?
Yes
No
Instructions:
Select the letter of the correct answer.
Question 1:
Cell phones send signals to towers via radio frequency waves, a form of energy
similar to FM radio waves. The frequency for one kind of radio wave is 1 x 108
Hertz. Which of these numbers is equal to 1 x 108?
1,000,000
100,000,000
6 of 7
12/16/11 10:00 AM
Empower3000: The Leader in Differentiated Instruction
http://portal.achieve3000.com/article/display/article_display.php...
0.000001
0.00000001
7 of 7
12/16/11 10:00 AM