Evidence is accumulating that cellular phones do not have a significant adverse effect on the brain.

DEREKH FROUDE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Political science sophomore Mike Moreno takes a second to check his cell phone for messages yesterday afternoon outside the Student Union Memorial Center. Recent studies have shown that there is no statistical correlation between the energy affects of cellular phone use and damage to the brain.

As more people across the country begin to rely more heavily on cell phones - and as some people use wireless communication exclusively - recent studies have shown that people's fears of brain cancer or other damage are most likely unfounded.

Dr. Harvey William Buchsbaum, clinical professor of neurology at the Arizona Health Sciences Center, said there is no statistical correlation between the energy effects of cellular phone use and damage to the brain.

"There is no scientific evidence of damage to the brain, brain tumor or strokes of that kind," he said.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a study conducted in January 2001 turned up no evidence that the use of cellular telephone caused brain tumors. However, the study could not predict the effects of long-term, heavy use.

Robin Carnagey, a communication sophomore, said she has noticed that students have purchased the Wave Shield - a device attached to a cellular phone to lessen the amount of energy waves entering the brain - because they are concerned of possible radiation risks.

"I think a lot of students are concerned; that's why they buy those disks," she said.

However, Buchsbaum said that there is no validity to a risk from cell phone use, and the shield is just a marketed item.

Claudia Carrillo, co-owner of Pierce Wireless, 990-B E. University Blvd., said her store does not carry the Wave Shield and she has only seen it sold on television.

"I don't know if it works and people don't even ask about them," she said.

Experts have said that the real problem with cellular phones is the distraction they can cause when the user is not stationary.

Buchsbaum said studies have shown that the use of a cellular phone while performing another activity can lead to serious accidents.

"The problem with cell phones is that under circumstances like people driving while talking, there is good data to support distractibility that leads to accidents," he said.

"The cell phone is a marvelous device as long as it is not used while moving."