While there is no conclusive scientific evidence that establishes a causal relationship between cell phone use and cancer, cell phones do emit electromagnetic radiation and such exposure is never a good thing. Last year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans as evidenced by studies that link wireless phone usage to an increased risk for brain cancer. The World Health Organization lists on their website the health effects of radiation emitted from mobile devices as well as exposure limit guidelines.
With something as precious as our health, it is better to be safe than sorry. As Daniel Oberhausen, a French Professor and leader in cell phone safety advises, “the absence of definitive human evidence at this point in time should not be misconstrued as proof of cell phone safety.” Similarly, Dr. Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and the UPMC Cancer Center, cautions users to try to limit use. Here are some tips from the Environmental Health Trust that you can apply to your daily routine to mitigate exposure to potentially deleterious electromagnetic radiation:
1. No phone in bed
-Best to charge overnight on a bed stand at least 5 feet away from body.
-If you have to sleep with it under your pillow, put it on “airplane” or “offline” mode to temporarily abate radiation emission. When you need to check messages, you can switch back to normal mode.
2. Texting is a good thing
-Better to communicate via text or email because you avoid greater radiation exposure associated with making calls.
3. Use speakerphone or earphones
-Best to keep phone at a maximal distance from your body and in particular, away from your head. Protect that brain!
-keep conversations short.
4. Don’t let children make calls
-A child’s skull is thinner and more penetrable to the emissions which can damage the organ which is still developing.
5. Weak signal means don’t use
-In attempt to reestablish connection, the phone works at maximal power and electromagnetic radiation is at peak.
5. Keypad on body
-When you do keep your phone in your pocket, place the keypad facing you so that electromagnetic waves are directed away from your body.
6. Switch sides
-If you must hold the device to your head, alternate sides to avoid concentrating emission of waves to a localized part of your brain.
Hey Antoniette! I think I am doing everything wrong! I can’t sleep without my Blackberry! I wake up in the night to read things… i get relaxed when I see everything is ok by not getting mails that show otherwise. In know I have to detox! My resolution for 2012? I try… NIcely written! Xlonneke
Hmmm yes convicting post for me too! Thx Antoniette <3
What can I do if it is my phone that wakes me up in the morning? I can’t put it on airplane mode then…ahhh
Hi Eleonora,
According to the research I’ve read, it is best to leave your phone approximately 5 feet away from your bed. You don’t need to out it on airplane mode then since it is relatively far away from you. I keep mine charged in an outlet across from my bed. It actually forces me to get up because when my alarm goes off I need to walk across the room to push snooze. Hope this helps!