Seizures Caused by Cell Phone Radiation

Over the years, cell phones have been linked to a variety of health problems, including seizures. There is evidence both supporting and debunking a link between cell phone radiation and seizures.

History

• Links between cell phone usage and seizures became more apparent in August 2006, when the results of a study were printed in the Annals of Neurology. The report stated that cell phones increased cortical activity in the brain, which could possibly trigger a seizure.

More Expert Insight

• In a study done at the Royal University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, researchers concluded that mobile radiation can further harm seizure-prone animals. They suggested in an abstract of their findings that research should be pursued into the possibility that the same radiation may affect brain function in humans diagnosed with epilepsy.

Potential for Seizures

• Epilepsy Action, the largest member-led epilepsy organization in Britain, takes the opposite approach and concludes that there is no solid evidence that mobile phones are a trigger of seizures. It based this information on a study by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones and Health (IEGMP).

Other Misconceptions

• In an ABC News report in March 2009, seizures did not make the list of "7 Surprising Ways Cell Phones Affect Your Health." Instead, the article concentrated on things like "superbugs" that can live on cell phones and allergies to certain metals that can cause a condition known as contact dermatitis.

Prevention/Solution

• Those with worries about the potential of cell phones to cause seizures can always limit their use of a mobile phone or consult their doctors or physicians.