Has anyone called you on your cell phone yet to tell you the urgent news? Well, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute issued a new warning today about the potential risks of getting cancer from using cell phones. The warning, written by the Institute's director, Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, runs counter to quite a few recent studies that have found no link between cell phones and increased risk of cancer.
But Herberman contends that there is a growing body of evidence (as yet unpublished) which says just the opposite, that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones can be dangerous. "Althought the evidence is still controversial," writes Herberman, "I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phones." At particular risk are children, says Herberman, because of the years of potential exposure and because "the developing organs of a fetus or child are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields."
Kids, according to Herberman, should only use cell phones in emergencies. As for the rest of us...well, we can start by going hands-free, and keeping the handsets as far away from our precious heads as possible. The warning also suggests sending more text messages in lieu of long phone conversations. And, in a nod that sounds eerily reminiscent of the whole "second hand smoke" debate, Herberman also recommends not using cell phones in crowded public spaces (busses, for example) where your electromagnetic radiation can potentially affect other people.
This will doubtless stir up a hornet's nest around this issue, and for us, the consumers and users of these devices, it's a troubled landscape. The Food and Drug Administration tells us: "If there is a risk from these products -- and at this point we do not know that there is -- it is probably very small."
OK, so what does, say, the American Cancer Society recommend? Well, a spokesman told The Associated press today: "If a person feels compelled that they should take precautions in reducing the amount of electromagnetic radio waves through their bodies, by all means they should do so...but at the same time, we have to remember there's no conclusive that links cell phones to cancer, whether it's brain tumors or other forms of cancer."
In that same AP article, another University of Pittsburgh official asks: "The question is do you want to want to play Russian roulette with your brain?"
If it's enough to scare you back into the world of landlines, just be advised that those popular cordless systems which so many of us used before cell phones became so ubiquitous also emit some potentially harmful electromagnetic radiation.
But Herberman contends that there is a growing body of evidence (as yet unpublished) which says just the opposite, that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones can be dangerous. "Althought the evidence is still controversial," writes Herberman, "I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phones." At particular risk are children, says Herberman, because of the years of potential exposure and because "the developing organs of a fetus or child are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields."
Kids, according to Herberman, should only use cell phones in emergencies. As for the rest of us...well, we can start by going hands-free, and keeping the handsets as far away from our precious heads as possible. The warning also suggests sending more text messages in lieu of long phone conversations. And, in a nod that sounds eerily reminiscent of the whole "second hand smoke" debate, Herberman also recommends not using cell phones in crowded public spaces (busses, for example) where your electromagnetic radiation can potentially affect other people.
This will doubtless stir up a hornet's nest around this issue, and for us, the consumers and users of these devices, it's a troubled landscape. The Food and Drug Administration tells us: "If there is a risk from these products -- and at this point we do not know that there is -- it is probably very small."
OK, so what does, say, the American Cancer Society recommend? Well, a spokesman told The Associated press today: "If a person feels compelled that they should take precautions in reducing the amount of electromagnetic radio waves through their bodies, by all means they should do so...but at the same time, we have to remember there's no conclusive that links cell phones to cancer, whether it's brain tumors or other forms of cancer."
In that same AP article, another University of Pittsburgh official asks: "The question is do you want to want to play Russian roulette with your brain?"
If it's enough to scare you back into the world of landlines, just be advised that those popular cordless systems which so many of us used before cell phones became so ubiquitous also emit some potentially harmful electromagnetic radiation.
Smoke signals, anyone? Yeah, I know, don't even go there.
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