World Health Organization: Cell Phones Possibly Cause Cancer
The World Health Organization has done a 180 in regard to its views on cell phone safety. After years of coming from the position that cell phones are safe, today they announced that cell phone radiation can ‘possibly’ cause cancer, putting the device in the same “carcinogenic hazard” category as chloroform, lead and engine exhaust.
Although the data shows the strong connection, there really haven’t been enough long term studies to make their conclusion fact. A team of 31 scientists from around the world reached the mutually agreed upon decision after reviewing various studies on cell phone safety. Although there have been stirrings of this nature for years, this is the first such alert from the prestigious World Health Organization.
"The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences," stated chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Keith Black.
The type of radiation coming out of a cell phone is called non-ionizing. It is not like an X-ray, but more like a very low-powered microwave oven.
"What microwave radiation does in most simplistic terms is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain. So in addition to leading to a development of cancer and tumors, there could be a whole host of other effects like cognitive memory function, since the memory temporal lobes are where we hold our cell phones."
A 2010 study showed that those who had been using their cell phones for over 10 years were at an increased risk of developing brain cancer, doubling the rate of brain glioma. The still developing brains of children are at an even greater risk, as their skulls and scalps are thinner, making them even more susceptible to the effects of radiation.
It is being advised to hold the device at least 5/8” away from your head while in use.
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