NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS ANOTHER POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK OF USING CELL PHONES CNN World Today - 12-02-1999 Aired December 2, 1999 - 8:16 p.m. ET THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. JIM MORET, CNN ANCHOR: New research appears to suggest another potential health risk from using cell phones. The University of Washington study found that rats exposed to the same microwave radiation emitted by cell phones suffered brain and genetic damage. But this latest research is drawing fire from some in the scientific community. Details now from CNN's Ann Kellan. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ANN KELLAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly a quarter billion people use cell phones worldwide. But are they safe to use? Numerous studies have claimed the microwave radiation emitted by these phones are safe. One study even stated that people using cell phones processed thoughts more quickly. Other studies, though, have linked cell phones to causing everything from brain tumors to headaches. Sorting out the truth is difficult. Now another study. Researcher Henry Lai at the University of Washington says when he exposed rats to microwave transmissions similar to those emitted by cell phones, they suffered long-term memory loss. When placed in this murky water, they had trouble swimming back to a platform they had swum to before. HERNY LAI, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON: What the study shows is that something has happened to the brain of the animal that caused this learning deficit or memory deficit. Now it may not happen to people who use cell phones, but when you use the phone, there's a possibility, there's a very high possibility that some chemical will be affected by the cell phone radiation. KELLAN: There are those skeptical about the findings. The study, due to be published next month, was released to the media before leading scientists had a chance to read it. Even a retired colleague at the university, who worked with Lai, claims this study on rats cannot be applied to people who use cell phones. BILL GUY, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON: Even a radar, a high-powered radar at an Air Force base or an airport, you could be right in front of that antenna of that radar and you wouldn't get near as much as this energy, and to compare it to cellular phones it's just extrapolating too far. KELLAN: The FDA monitors the safety of cell phones, stands by the advisory posted on its Web site. "If there is a risk from these products -- and at this point, we do not know that there is -- it is probably very small. But if people are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, there are simple steps they can take: Avoid length conversations on mobile phones. In your car, use a mobile phone with the antenna mounted outside. Use a headset with your mobile phone." The FDA notes that more time and more studies are needed to know for sure whether cell phones are safe. Ann Kellan, CNN, Atlanta. / Copyright 1999 CNN News