Close encounters with radiation of the other kind

The uncertainties surrounding the health implications of lowlevel ionizing radiation may seem puzzling considering that "there are probably more studies on the harmful effects of [ionizing] radiation than for any other toxic or noxious agents in the environment." However, it helps put in perspective the difficulties inherent in this kind of risk-assessment. In particular, it is easier now to understand the following cautious GAO assessment of the safety of nonionizing radiation from cell phones: "The consensus of the Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, and other major health agencies is that the research to date does not show radiofrequency energy emitted from mobile phones has harmful health effects, but there is not yet enough information to conclude that they pose no risk."