New concern over cell phones & cordless home phones
This week the director of a prominent cancer research institute issued a new warning regarding the potential cancer risks of cell phone use. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, released an advisory that teenagers and young children should limit their use of cell phones, using them only in an emergency, to avoid potential health risks. He notes that fetuses and children are of particular concern because their “developing organs are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.”
In an article listing “Practical Advice to Limit Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted from Cell Phones”, Dr. Herberman notes that cordless home phones are also a potential concern because they use similar electromagnetic emitting technology as cell phones. A land line, corded phone is a safer phone to use for longer phone conversations. He also recommends using the speaker-phone mode or a wireless Bluetooth headset while using a cell phone. The Bluetooth headset has less than 1/100th of the electromagnetic emission of a normal cell phone.
According to the vast majority of experts on this topic, to date there is no evidence linking cell phones to brain tumors. There is, however, no data on exposure beyond 10 years, and the effects of cell phones on children and adolescents have not been studied. Until more is known about this relatively new technology, erring on the side of reasonable caution would seem prudent for parents of children and adolescents. Convenient and low-price Bluetooth wireless headsets are being perfected and are commonplace on the internet and on electronic store shelves. Not only do they greatly reduce any potential electromagnetic exposure, but they also free up both hands.
via “Cancer Center Director Warns on Cell Phone Use“, MedPage Today, July 2008
via “Important Precautionary Advice Regarding Cell Phone Use“, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, July 2008
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