Cell phones are a health risk, according to a new lawsuit

Highlight:
Five class action suits against several cell phone companies allege that cell phones are actually a health hazard because of the low-level radiation they emit. So far, there have been a few studies on the dangers of long-term cell phone use, but the results have been inconclusive. However, some scientists are saying that cell phones just haven't been around long enough to provide the hard data needed to assess the health risks.
Summary:

• The science remains unclear on whether the radiation emitted by cell phones poses a health hazard, but a number of lawsuits alleging the risk have been given new life.
• Despite wireless industry efforts, those cases may now be heard by state courts after the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived last week five class-action suits, returning them for trial in the states where they originated.
• Suits filed in 2001 in state courts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia and Louisiana claimed Nokia Inc. and other cell phone makers failed to protect consumers from potentially harmful radiation and should be required to provide headsets to consumers.
• The plaintiffs claim the industry has violated various state laws on consumer protection, product liability, implied warranty, negligence, fraud and civil conspiracy.
• "We have thoroughly examined the claims ...
• and one thing is clear: the elements of each of the claims depend only on the resolution of questions of state law," Judge M. Blane Michael wrote in the majority opinion, which was joined by Judge Michael Luttig.
• For example, a Swedish study published last year in the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests that people who use a cell phone for at least 10 years might increase their risk of developing acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the auditory nerve that carries sound from the ear to the brain.
• In Britain, the chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board advised in January that parents should not give mobile phones to children age 8 or younger as a precaution against the potential harm of radiation from the devices.
• The Federal Communications Commission says there is no scientific proof that cell phones are hazardous.
• "This is an issue the industry needs to put to bed," said Atlanta-based telecom analyst Jeff Kagan.