Cell phones have certainly made life easier in some ways, harder in others. But are they healthy for us. For years I’ve heard warnings about the electromagnetic radiation from phones, only to be reassured by the wireless industry that the radiation is safe. I paid little to no attention to the warnings, but I am changing my thinking on the issue after learning that an agency of the government of the United Kingdom recently issued a statement on the use of cell phones by children. “Children should only use mobile phones for essential purposes and keep all calls short.” What prompted this warning were some startling statistics. A 50% increase in brain tumors in children in the past 12 years, and the area the tumors are occurring are in the vicinity of where they would hold the phone. It is true that children’s skulls are thinner and, according to Dr. Robert Rowan, they can absorb up to three times the radiation we adults will-but adults are not immune. Adults use cell phones for longer periods than kids, and many have cell phones as their only phone-land lines are disappearing. If adults are using cell phones three times as much as kids, presto; same amount of radiation. Problem is, no one knows what the tolerable level is. I’m making these changes: 1). No longer wearing my cell phone in a holster on my hip 2). Using hands-free in my car 3). Keeping my land line and using it whenever I’m at home 4). Using my speaker on my phone to keep it away from my head whenever possible. For a complete reference to this subject, check out the Wall Street Journal online, 12/28/10. If I can avoid a brain tumor, there is one less thing to worry about.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.