The Story on Cell Phone Safety
Wednesday, September 27th, 2006I see people using them just about everywhere I go these days; they are talking on them while driving, eating at restaurants, going for walks and even in the hallways of the local high schools. It is readily apparent that cell phone use is at an all-time high and showing no signs of slowing. But what is the cost of putting these little communication devices to our ears?? We all know they are dangerous to use while driving. But did we all know that they might be dangerous to talk on in general?
I recently read some disturbing information about the supposed dangers of using cell phones. I was alarmed at what I read because I have and use a cell phone several days a week. But, in all honesty, I was not convinced by what I read because it appears that the author was also trying to sell products that are intended to protect us from the potential harm. Thus, my quest for the real story behind the potential dangers of cell phones. I did my best to obtain information from the most reputable websites and here is what I discovered.
The claims behind the companies that are attempting to sell safety products are focused the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from cell phones and their effects on the brain, especially in children. This form of radiation has been referred to as electro pollution and is also emitted from cordless phones, computers and essentially any electrical appliance. Because children are starting to use cell phones at very young ages…as young as six years old…they will be the first generation to be exposed to EMFs for nearly their entire lives. And children and teenagers may be the most affected by the radiation because their skulls are thin, allowing the radiation to penetrate deeply into their brains. The following quote is an excerpt from SafeWireless.org:
“Since 1993, scientific studies have continued to accumulate showing that radiation from mobile telephones and other wireless devices is dangerous. The mobile phone industry continues to deny the existence of a problem, and governments around the world continue to sort out both legal and ethical entanglements with the industry that render them impotent in terms of protecting consumers. Now, new science clearly shows that a radio frequency radiation related disease epidemic has begun – the brunt of which will be borne by our children and grandchildren. The Safe Wireless Initiative is here to empower consumers to protect themselves and their families. Please help us by joining and supporting this most important of causes. We ask for a modest membership fee that allows us to pay for the overhead associated with keeping this program current and useful.”Dr. George L. Carlo, Chairman, Science and Public Policy Institute Let us now flip the coin. I found several reputable websites dedicated to studying cell phone radiation and the effects on the brain. The FDA has a section of their Website dedicated to cell phone facts and a very easy to read page of questions and answers. The FDA Website states that within the research that has been completed thus far, the results are conflicting.
“Three large epidemiology studies have been published since December 2000. Between them, the studies investigated any possible association between the use of wireless phones and primary brain cancer, glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, tumors of the brain or salivary gland, leukemia, or other cancers. None of the studies demonstrated the existence of any harmful health effects from wireless phone RF exposures. However, none of the studies can answer questions about long-term exposures, since the average period of phone use in these studies was around three years.”According to the Oxford Journal, a study was conducted between the years 2000 and 2002, where “the authors examined the possible association between use of cellular telephones and development of acoustic neuroma”. Their results, published in 2004, were as follows:
“Use of a cell phone for 10 years or more did not increase acoustic neuroma risk over that of short-term users. Furthermore, tumors did not occur more frequently on the side of the head on which the telephone was typically used, and the size of the tumor did not correlate with the pattern of cell phone use. The results of this prospective, population-based, nationwide study, which included a large number of long-term users of cellular telephones, do not support an association between cell phone use and risk of acoustic neuroma.”
My two-cents in regards to cell phone use and safety, I believe, is the overall truth. We the people, the scientists and the government really don’t know what effect EMF radiation has on the body and the earth. In short term studies, it is clear that there is no absolute correlation but long-term studies are difficult to complete as they obviously take a long time. There are also varying degrees of cell phone use between people. I use mine a few days per week…some people walk through the grocery store with a cell phone plugged into their ear.
As in all aspects of life, everything should be enjoyed in moderation. I would not spend hours on a cell phone, or any phone for that matter. There are more important things to do in life than talk on the phone. Would I buy a cell phone for my 6 year old?? No. A very definitive “no”, but not necessarily because of the potential dangers; I wouldn’t buy him a cell phone for the same reason that I wouldn’t buy him a digital camera or an MP3…he’s six years old! Here are some helpful links:
v http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/
v http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/159/3/277
v http://www.fda.gov/cellphones/qa.html#31
v http://cellphonesafety.wordpress.com/
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cell phone awareness, cell phone radiation, cell phone safety, cell phone use, EMF, kids and cell phones, Living Well, Natural Health