I hardly ever use my cell phone.And it's not merely because I'm a troglodyte who eschews whatever modern technology I can get away with; it's because I'm honest enough to know that the world will get along without my input for a while. And I like it that way.
After all, I'm not anyone's stockbroker; I'm not a doctor or a bail bondsman; I'm not toting the direct line from the Kremlin to the White House. I am quite cool with the idea that I can be incommunicado for a bit with nothing unraveling because of it.
And now? Knowing that there's a bunch of scientists who are claiming that the cell phone dramatically increases your chance at getting brain cancer? I'm more committed than ever to keeping my cell phone in its proper place -- in my pocket rather than at my ear.
So, if you disagree with the scientists and want to convince me I'm overreacting, fine. Just call me at home on the land line, okay?
The above was a Vital Signs post from March 31, 2008.
However, the evidence supporting the physical ill effects of cell phone use continues to stack up. The link in the post above connects you to a March 2008 story in the Telegraph about a study by an award-winning cancer expert, Dr Vini Khurana. The study was the most devastating indictment of the health risks of mobile phone use to date. Indeed, the study concluded that cell phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos. Yipes.
Then there was another post here in September of 2008, "Can You Hear Me Now," About Cell Phones and Brain Cancers, That Is?"
And today I offer a link to this USA Today story from last weekend about how the radiation emissions from cell phones vary widely from different brands.
The story acknowledges that there a lot of folks who deny altogether any link of cell phone use to cancer. Among them are the American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration.
But when one remembers how these very groups have stuck their heads in the sand when it comes to other severe health risks like surgical abortion, chemical abortifacients like RU-486, and the banning of DDT which then exorbitantly increases the risks of contracting malaria, one has plenty of reason to be skeptical of the scientific objectivity of these particular organizations.
This exhaustive new study by the Environmental Working Group ranks 1,000 different cell phones according to radiation levels. And they were moved to make the study because of the persistence of new evidence showing cell phone us is, in fact, dangerous. Jane Houlihan, senior vice president of research at the EWG, admitted the "experts" may disagree but recent studies "are showing increased risk for brain and mouth tumors for people who have used cellphones for at least 10 years." There's enough worry from these studies that six countries have already issued limits on cell phone use, particularly for children. Among them are Germany, France, and Israel.
Houlihan says the Environmental Working Group is "advising people to choose a phone that falls on the lower end of the (radiation) spectrum" in order to at least minimize the risk.
The lowest measure of the radiation absorbed into the brain when the phone is held to the ear was the Samsung Impression at 0.35 watts per kilogram. The highest radiation emissions come from T-Mobile's MyTouch 3G, Motorola's Moto VU204 and the Kyocera Jax S1300. All three zap your brain at 1.55 watts per kilogram, more than 4x the Impression.
The USA Today story concludes, "The Federal Communications Commission, which sets standards for cellphone radiation, requires that all devices be rated at 1.6 W/kg or lower. The Environmental Working Group says the FCC's standard is outmoded, noting that it was established 17 years ago, when cellphones and wireless usage patterns were much different. The group wants the government to take a 'fresh look' at radiation standards."I concur.
Oh yeah; if you're jazzy enough to be sporting the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 (or any other handset device), you'll not be able to learn just how deeply fried your brain is getting with each call. The FCC doesn't require manufacturers of handset devices to disclose radiation levels.
