Important precautionary advice on cell phone use

SUNDAY July 27, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Ronald B. Herberman, MD, at The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute sent out an email last week to colleagues warning them of the potential risk of using cell phones. 

Dr. Herberman said in his email that he has become aware of the growing body of studies linking the long term use of cell phones to possible adverse health effects including cancer. 

Although the evidence is still controversial, he said sufficient data warrant issuing an advisory to share some advice on cell phone use. 

Previous studies showed an association between long term use (more than 10 years) of cell phones and an increased risk of brain tumors. But many short term studies did not show such a link. 

A review of more than 100 published studies and reports by Dr. Vini G. Khurana, staff specialist neurosurgeon at The Canberra Hospital and associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Australia n National University Medical School and published on his website brain-surgery.us on March 20, 2008 shows convincing evidence that use of cell phone increases risk of brain tumors and that cell phones may be more dangerous than asbestos and smoking. 

Khurana found those who used cell phones for a long term would increase their risk of brain tumor on the side of the head a cell phone is preferably used against by a factor of 2-4 folds. 

In his email, Dr. Herberman cited an international expert panel of pathologists, oncologists, and public officials as recently declaring that electromagnetic fields emitted from cell phones should be considered a potential health risk to humans. 

Some countries like France, Germany, and India have already issued recommendations that exposure to electromagnetic fields be limited. Toronto’s Department of Health has already warned against children using cell phone. 

Dr. Herberman is the first Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; he helped discover natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumors in the early 1970s. Stimulation of the natural killer activity would inhibit metastases. He has also played a leading role in the development of several other important aspects of tumor immunology. 

He gave the following advice to limit exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones: 

Do not allow children to use a cell phone except for emergencies. Children are more sensitive to radiation because their bodies/organs are developing. 

When using cell phones, make sure to keep the phones as far away from the ear as possible by whatever means you can employ. 

Avoid using cell phones in public places like in a bus where other people would be passively exposed to your phone's electromagnetic fields. 

Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times and don't keep it near your body at night. Or just simply shut it off to stop electromagnetic emissions. 

If you have to carry your cell phone, make sure that the keypad faces your body.

If you have to use your cell phone, use it briefly, but use a land line corded phone to have a long conversation. 

Put your cell phone to your ear only after the correspondent picks up your call. When using cell phones, switch sides often. 

Avoid using cell phones in areas where the signal is weak or you are in a car or train. In situations like that, strong radiation will be needed to send the signal, exposing the user to high doses of radiation. 

Whenever possible, use text messaging instead of making a call. 

If you are buying a cell phone, buy one with the lowest SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) possible.

By David Liu, Ph.D., and edited by Heather Kelley
Jul 27, 2008 - 1:45:58 PM