Calling For Caution

Study: Heavy cellphone use affects salivary glands - Dr. Bicuspid

"Mobile phones are known to generate heat and emit radiofrequency radiation in the form of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation in the range of 800-2,200 MHz, similar to many home appliances," they wrote. "But the long duration and proximity of mobile phones to human body during use has given rise to concerns of possible adverse effects resulting from absorption of these emissions by the tissues adjacent to the area of mobile phone handset use."

Because the parotid glands are located in front of the ear in close proximity to where cellphones are held when in use, these glands in particular could be vulnerable to adverse effects, the study authors noted.

Previous studies have had considerable variation in their conclusions, suggesting or denying a correlation between heavy cellphone use and headaches, migraines, brain tumors, auditory canal pathologies, and physiologic changes in the salivary glands, they noted.