Last week the World Health Organization made the landmark statement that radiation from cell phones can be “possibly carcinogenic to humans” and put cell phone use in the same carcinogenic hazard category as toxins such as lead, chloroform, and engine exhaust. The type of radiation that cell phones emit is known as non-ionizing radiation, which is similar to that used in microwave ovens but at much lower power. Extended exposure to this type of radiation causes cells to behave differently and may lead to tumor formation. It is of interest to note that the cells that are most affected when a cell phone is held up to your ear are the brain cells involved in memory, which can be found in the temporal lobe (near the ear). Here are a few simple ways to limit your risk:

• Choose to communicate via text message rather than talk on the phone, if you are able.
• Avoid holding cell phones directly against your ear. If they must be held up to your ear, hold them at least half an inch away from your body. Radiation exposure drastically decreases with distance.
• Use the speakerphone function for calls whenever possible, or use a hands-free earpiece—preferably one that plugs into your phone.  Bluetooth devices do emit small amounts of radiation, but at much lower concentrations than cell phones.
• Avoid using your phone in areas that require it to search for a signal, such as rural areas or elevators. The harder a phone has to work to find a signal, the more radiation it will emit so try to only talk on your phone in places where you know you get a good signal.
• Try not to carry your phone directly against your body and especially not around your waist, near reproductive organs. It’s better to carry phones in a bag or purse away from the body, or if you must carry it on your person put it in a case rather than directly in your pocket.
• Keep cell phones away from children. Children are more sensitive to cell phone radiation from cell because their skulls are much thinner than adults. This is especially true for children 3 years old and under.

I’ve been on the phone A LOT lately and have started to think about what level of radiation I am exposing my head to on a daily basis.  Here is an article from CNN that I found to be very informative and wanted to share with all of you.  Enjoy!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/07/31/ep.cell.phones.cancer/index.html