In today’s overly hectic and fast-paced world, one of the vital components for survival is communication.  The cell phone era, coupled with the advent of the internet and instant messaging, has marked significant improvements in the way people communicate.

Some people just cannot seem to live without their cell phones – talking incessantly whenever and wherever.  Although it is a necessity nowadays, I don’t think it should become the center of our existence.  I do own one, of course.  But it is a rare occurrence that I have a conversation on it.  Whoever knows me, knows I don't like talking on a cell phone for very long. I have lost track of how many thousands of minutes I've actually accumulated for non usage! Now, I'm not suggesting you throw away your cell phones. I'm suggesting not using it as your main form of communication.

Understanding Cell Phone Technology

More and more people are getting concerned about the supposed link between cell phone usage and the increased risk for some types of cancer.  The cause behind the cell phone’s cancer-causing property is the radiofrequency (RF) energy waves that it emits. RF waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation which are said to cause harm to the human body.

The main source of radiofrequency waves in a cell phone is its antenna.  The antenna is inside the handset itself, which is typically placed at the side of the person’s head when he is using the cell phone to talk to somebody.  As expected, the closer the antenna is to the head, the more exposed the person is to RF waves.  However, there are also several factors which determine your degree of exposure.  This includes:

• Cellular transmission quality
• The distance between you and the nearest cellular station
• The number of calls
• The duration of calls

A poor transmission would require a higher power level in order for your connection to be maintained.  The higher the power level is, the higher would be the radiofrequency energy waves required.  This is also true when it comes to how far you are from the nearest cell base station.  The farther you are, the more RF energy is needed.

Why I Do Not Recommend the Use of Cell Phones

There is much concern about the ill-effects of cell phone usage.  It is believed that the radiofrequency energy waves can potentially affect the salivary glands and the brain and the structures surrounding it such as the meninges and the nerves.  Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to either find support or refute the claims made concerning the use of cell phones.

A recent research study that was conducted at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University at the Hadassah School of Dental Medicine gave details regarding a sharp increase in parotid gland tumour incidence for the last 30 years, with a sudden increase occurring after the year 2001.  The authors of the study were Harold Sgan-Cohen, Avi Zini and Rakefet Czerninski.  This could potentially answer the questions raised by skeptics who have been persistent in saying that studies indicating a risk for tumours due to cell phones are wrong, mainly because nobody can prove an increase in tumour incidence that is related to cell phone use in the majority of the population.

A previously conducted epidemiological study, conducted by Sadetzki and colleagues, had shown a 49 percent increase in the risk of tumours in the parotid gland among heavy cell phone users.  Lonn and his co-researchers also found a 160 percent in parotid gland tumour incidence way back 2006.  So the data provided by the Hebrew University research should not anymore come off as a surprise.

One significant study aimed at assessing whether exposure to RF energy waves from cell phone use is linked to an increase in the risk of development of benign or malignant tumours in the brain, neck and head was set up by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).  Known as the Interphone Study, it involved 13 countries namely the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Israel, Germany, France, Finland, Denmark, Canada and Australia.

The Interphone study declared that using a cell phone for a period longer than 10 years caused a 118 percent increase in brain cancer risk.  However, another study conducted by Hardell and company in Sweden proved that the Interphone study which was published May 2010 underestimated the risk of brain tumour development, mainly because of the flaws in its study design.  The Hardell study, which is considered by experts as a study that is very well designed, claimed that the supposed 118 percent increase in brain cancer risk could actually be as high as 180 percent. The re-analysis is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in its December 17, 2010 issue.

How to Protect Yourself

I recognize that, for some people, communicating with the use of cell phones has become a way of life – and if you cannot kick the habit, there are some ways with which you can protect yourself from the health effects of constant radiation exposure.

Perhaps the most effective means for protection is to keep the cell phone slightly away from the body when using it.  Cell phone packages now come with hands-free headsets that you can use as an excellent alternative.  These headsets keep the antenna of the cell phone a good six to seven inches away from your body, thereby getting rid of near-field exposure.  When torn between using hands-free headsets or wireless headsets, go for the hands-free one.  Wireless headsets tend to draw more far-field radiofrequency waves.

If you are all alone, at home or in your office, go for the speaker phone mode.  This will allow you to talk on your cell phone while it is safely away from your body. This will help you get rid of the intense radiation exposure.

Even if not in use, cell phones continue to give off RF waves because of the signal that they emit.  Because of this, it is advised that you do not place your cell phones at your waist, because this exposes your hip bones to RF energy.  Anatomy and Physiology classes will tell you that majority, specifically 80 percent, of your red blood cells (RBCs) are produced in your hip bones.

Sources
cancer.gov
lef.org
lef.org
gq.com
emf.mercola.com