It seems like
everywhere a person goes there is at least one person in view with a cell phone
to their ear whether it is on the road, in a store, in a parking lot, walking
down the street, etc. Even in places where cell phone usage is banned such as
concert halls or movie theaters there is the occasional offender, or more
likely, at least a few people using the text messaging feature on their phone.
Cell phone usage
has exploded over the past decade and continues to rise. Over two hundred
million people in the United States have cell phones and there are well over
one billion users worldwide. That means there are a lot of phones sending their
frequencies over the airwaves at any given time.
Concern has
arisen over whether or not cell phone usage can harm a person’s health. Brain
cancer rates in the United States have risen since cell phones were introduced,
leading some people to wonder if cell phone usage is the reason for the
increase.
There have been
reports of people developing brain tumors in the exact same spot where they
held their cell phone. Some studies have expressed concern over long-term cell
phone use, believing it can lead to a person to develop cancer. That is not to
say a person who uses a cell phone is going to get cancer, but some studies
suggest long-term use increases a person’s risk.
Things may not be
all gloom and doom however. A large study done in Denmark with almost a half
million cell phone users showed no increase in cancer for cell phone users.
Yet, other
studies have concluded there is a greater risk of cancer but only with analog
phone users. Some other studies conclude that any type of cell phone usage can
raise a person’s risk for developing cancer. There are a lot of varying
opinions on the subject. According to the FDA, available data does not show
there are definitely health problems associated with using wireless phones, but
the information goes on to say that there is also no proof that wireless phones
are completely safe either.
What about cell
phone usage is causing the concerns and the numerous studies to be done? Cell
phones emit radiation when they are used. The levels are low and are the same
type of radiation as a microwave oven emits but in much smaller amounts.
It has been
suggested that using hands free sets can alleviate the problem of the head
being exposed to the radiation. Again opinions vary. Some studies say it does
not decrease the amount of radiation exposure at all. Other studies say it
significantly decreases the amount of radiation exposure.
Some people say
the biggest danger with cell phones isn’t from the either real or perceived
potential to develop cancer, but from inattentiveness while using the cell
phone. How many of us have seen vehicles driving somewhat erratically down the
road and then see when we get near the vehicle that the driver is talking on a
cell phone. It is a proven fact that a driver on a cell phone is less attentive
and more likely to get in an accident. And, hands free sets aren’t the answer
that some people may believe. Yes, they free up both hands for driving and
prevent a person from getting a sore arm, but the driver’s mind is still
occupied with the conversation and therefore less attentive to what is going on
around him or her on the road.
Even people who
are walking and talking on a cell phone at the same time can put themselves in
more danger because they are not as aware of what is going on around them.
All the
conflicting reports make a person wonder what they should do. The good news is
that more comprehensive studies are being done to see if cell phone usage does or
does not cause cancer. At the same time, manufacturers are working on new
processes that will decrease or even possibly eliminate a person’s radiation
exposure. Until more definitive answers are given, a person may want to avoid
talking on a cell phone for several hours every single day, but a person
probably does not need to feel like they should have to give their cell phone
up. It is still a great tool.
The advice about
driving and talking on a cell phone is the same as it has been though. A person
should pull over in a safe area out of traffic before engaging in a cell phone
conversation.
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