buzzbishop
on - last edited on
Health Canada Advises Cellphone Users To Reduce Cancer Risk is the inflamatory headline, but if you read the report you'll find the government agency is hedging bets while admitting both sides of the health debate may be right.
"There are a small number of epidemiology studies that have shown brain cancer rates may be elevated in long-term/heavy cell phone users. Other epidemiology studies on cell phone users, laboratory studies and animal cancer studies have not supported this association."
So are you at risk? Maybe. Maybe not. Still, Health Canada does have recommendations, just in case:
Health Canada reminds cell phone users that they can take practical measures to reduce their RF exposure by:
- limiting the length of cell phone calls
- using "hands-free" devices
- replacing cell phone calls with text messages
Health Canada also encourages parents to take these measures to reduce their children's RF exposure from cell phones since children are typically more sensitive to a variety of environmental agents.
Precautions to limit exposure to RF energy from cell phone towers are unnecessary because exposure levels are typically well below those specified in health-based exposure standards.
While a 2011 study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer found evidence RF energy could be a carcinogen, Health Canada dismisses the study as needing more work.
It's much like the issue with mobile phones on planes. Some say it's a potential problem, others say it's not. In the end, the government is swinging to the side of caution.
Have you ever experienced problems with mobile phones? Are you switching to more hands free usage?
