Cell Phones: Are They Worth the Health Risk?

Advances in technology have brought us portable phones, cell phones, wireless internet, and now wireless printers. More than 2 billion people, including at least 500 million children, use cell phones. These items are a convenience in modern life. But is that convenience coming with a price to our health?

Some scientists are coming forward with studies that indicate the health effects of cell phone use. In the '90s, Dr. George Carlo, co-author of "Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age", conducted a study funded by a grant from the cell phone industry, to prove cell phones were safe. He discovered just the opposite, that cell phones were not safe. The industry attempted to suppress the information and discredit him.

Research from Sweden indicates that children and teenagers are up to five times more likely to develop brain cancer from cell phone use. Researchers believe they are more at risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner, which allows radiation to penetrate deeper into their brains.

The radiation can stress our cells, releasing DNA-damaging free radicals and stress proteins. These proteins, which are involved in the progression of a number of diseases, can migrate through the opened blood-brain barrier to cause degenerative brain damage.

Some health issues linked to cell phone radiation include:

* Cancer/Brain Tumors

* Headaches

* Alzheimer's

* Sleep disturbances

* Parkinson's

* Poor memory/concentration

* Fatigue

* Pacemaker disruptions

The health effects of wireless technology may not be fully known for some time. Just like with cigarette smoking, it can take years for damage to develop into cancer or other diseases. So what should you do in the meantime?

Toronto's Public Health Department has advised teenagers and young children to limit use of cell phones. It is suggested that children under 8 use a cell phone only in emergencies and calls by teenagers should be limited to less than 10 minutes. Other countries are introducing similar precautions.

Using headsets or the speakerphone feature may reduce the effects of the radio frequency radiation by placing the phone away from the body. There are some concerns about the health risks of wireless earpieces that are worn directly on the ear for hours. Phones attached to the belt or in your pocket may be simply moving the damage from the brain to other organs in the body.

Even if you choose to not use a cell phone and other wireless technology, radiation exposure is unavoidable. Office buildings, hotels, and stores are equipped with WiFi. Cell towers, often disguised as a tree, a building, or a church tower, are going up in neighborhoods. It is best to live at least two miles from a tower.

Since it is impossible to completely avoid exposure and the long-term risks are yet to be clearly revealed, making choices on the side of caution is advisable. Removing toxins and maintaining a strong immune system is so important to help your body cope with all these additional external stressors of modern life.

Sources:

George Louis Carlo, Martin Schram, Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age

Hardell, L; Mild, KH; Carlberg, M; Söderqvist, F., Tumour risk associated with use of cellular telephones or cordless desktop telephones, World J Surg Oncol. 2006;4:74. PubMed

Toronto Public Health, Health Concerns of Radio Frequency Fields Near Base Telephone Transmission Towers, City of Toronto