There are an estimated 57 million cell-phone users in America alone. But no one loves the towers or antenna arrays that accompany the technology. But critics say aesthetics are a smoke screen obscuring the heart of the issue, which is medical. Concern about the safety of this part of the electromagnetic spectrum spans decades, fueling both government and industry research, although nowhere near enough, or of an appropriate kind. Nevertheless, that research has turned up disturbing results, and an abundance of controversy.
Radiation is a natural part of the universe.
The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into ionizing and nonionizing radiation, with the former consisting of very short wavelengths, like X-rays and ultraviolet light, which have enough power to knock electrons off their orbits. These bands have the ability to do permanent damage at the cellular level, causing cancers and genetic mutations. The FCC standards for radio-frequency emissions are based on thermal effects, or the RFs' ability to heat tissue, in the same way a microwave oven cooks food. But the case for non thermal hazards from RFs is substantial. Some research has found detrimental effects based on frequency alone, not on power density.