Are We Dialing Up Trouble in Using Cell Phones?
Posted by Dave Thomas on June 1, 2011 in Business News, Medical Information, Phone Systems [ 1 Comment ]
While we have heard these warnings before, the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed those concerns this week regarding the potential health threat of cell phones.
According to the WHO, radiation emitted from cell phones can potentially lead to cancer. As such, the organization now lumps cell phone usage into the same “carcinogenic hazard” category as the likes of engine exhaust and lead to name a few.
More than two dozen scientists from 14 countries (including the U.S.), made their concerns known after analyzing peer-reviewed reports on cell phone safety. As part of their studies, the scientists discovered some evidence of growth in glioma and acoustic neuroma brain cancer for cell phone users. The scientists, however, have been unable to come to conclusions for other forms of cancers. The form of radiation being emitted from cell phones is known as non-ionizing, which is similar to what is produced from a very low-powered microwave oven.
So what does the latest research hold for the countless cell phone providers, businesses, employees and consumers who use mobile phones on a daily basis?
According to the market research firm Gartner, approximately 1.21 billion phones were sold worldwide in 2009.
Should the cell phone industry put a warning label on the devices just as those required on cigarette packs?
One problem with this study and others like it is many doctors admit the greatest challenge facing them is the majority of environmental factors take several decades of exposure prior to noticing consequences. Given brain cancer can take a long time to develop, will people currently using cell phones really be concerned with the potential health effects decades from now?
As expected, many in the wireless industry reacted with skepticism to the latest WHO report, noting the analysis does not mean that cell phone usage equals a greater chance for getting cancer.
Makers of a number of different cell phones already provide warnings with their devices, advising users to keep their device away from their body. For example, the Apple iPhone 4 safety manual advises users of voice calls or wireless data transmission over a cellular network to maintain the phone at least 5/8 of an inch away from the body.
As a business owner, should you advise your employees who use cell phones for either company or personal calls to limit their interaction with the devices?
Many experts recommend that users can minimize exposure by limiting calls, using hands-free options or even texting.
While this latest study may give pause to some users, it is unlikely to persuade the countless users of cell phones to retire them.
Estimates from several agencies noted that some five billion people are cell phone subscribers, a figure that is likely not to decrease anytime soon.
Whether a business that encourages its employees to use cell phones on the job or a consumer that cannot stop talking on one, take the latest WHO findings to heart, putting the phone down for a minute to think about how mobile phone usage may be impacting your health down the road.
Photo credit: Danger911.com