| An entire generation of teenagers may become | | | | dangerous frequency emitted by cellular or mobile |
| senile or have brain cancer at the peak of their lives | | | | phones. High frequency ionizing forms of radiation |
| due to cellular phone usage and other wireless | | | | exists as X-rays, Gamma rays and forms of nuclear |
| technologies.These are the findings of the study | | | | radiation known to be hazardous . Non-ionizing |
| published in Environmental Health Perspectives. | | | | radiation of lower frequency ionizing forms such as |
| | | | early cell phones were thought to be safe. That view |
| The study, based on intensive use of cellular phones, | | | | has changed since cell phones and mobile phones |
| may cause apprehension in Western countries | | | | have grown in strength from low-level radio waves |
| because it reveals new ways in which microwaves | | | | to high-level microwaves. No scientific study has |
| can affect our health.Leif Salford, the researcher who | | | | proven conclusively that the use of cellular phones is |
| led the study that was conducted at Lund University | | | | hazardous to human health, yet continued use of |
| in Sweden, claims that the fact that we voluntarily | | | | higher frequency phones could adversely affect the |
| expose our brain to cell phone radiation is ?the largest | | | | central nervous system, diminish the effectiveness of |
| biological experiment in the history of the world.? | | | | the immune system and facilitate the development |
| Professor Salford fears that as the wireless | | | | of cancer according to scientific research. Perhaps |
| technology becomes more popular people will "drown | | | | this is why governments and health organizations |
| in a sea of microwaves.?The study tested the | | | | worldwide are spending millions of dollars towards |
| leakage of albumin in the circulation of blood in the | | | | on-going research to determine the long term effects |
| brain. Prior studies of the subject have focused on | | | | of exposure to E.M.R from cellular and mobile |
| the possibility that cell phones heat brain tissue | | | | phones.What is S.A.R.? |
| thereby causing cancer. But the many studies trying | | | | Answer: S.A.R. or Specific Absorption Rate of |
| to determine whether cell phones cause cancer have | | | | Radiation is used to measure the amount of radiation |
| not been conclusive.Thus, the cell phone industry in | | | | that the human body absorbs from any source, |
| the US has managed to minimize findings regarding | | | | including cellular phones. The F.C.C. (Federal |
| cellular radiation effects, but now the World Health | | | | Communications Commission) sets limits as to what |
| Organization has taken over the research.Exposure to | | | | they deemed were safe levels of radiation from cell |
| cellular radiation affects the cells"This study proves | | | | phones. In the beginning when analog phones were |
| again that interference with cell activity of the body | | | | 800-900 MHZ of power, most of the cell phones |
| does not necessarily occur with high exposure to | | | | manufactured met these safe guidelines. However as |
| radiation that leads to heating of the area of | | | | manufacturers raised the power of their phones up |
| exposure but can also occur with low exposure" says | | | | to 1800-2000MHZ and analog was replaced by digital, |
| Professor Rafi Korenstein, a scientist from the | | | | the majority of the cell phones now exceed the safe |
| University of Tel-Aviv.In a study published by | | | | levels set by the F.C.C. In fact the manufacturers |
| Professor Korenstein with a number of other | | | | continue to lobby to have the levels raised, so they |
| scientists six months ago (Bioelectromagnetics, 2003), | | | | may keep increasing the power of the phones. The |
| it was proven that long-term exposure to cell phone | | | | highest S. A. R. in the body is in the ear, thus the |
| radiation can affect the duplication of hereditary | | | | concern about excessive cell phone use and the |
| substance creating during the cell-division process, | | | | strength of the signal.How is S.A.R. measured on a |
| thereby increasing the risk for cancer.The Head of | | | | cell phone? |
| the Cancer Department at the Israeli Ministry of | | | | Answer: When a call is made or received there is a |
| Health, Dr. Mike Brichna, disagrees: in studies | | | | band of radiation from the antenna, half of which |
| conducted on mice, researchers found changes in | | | | disappears into space. The remaining radiation is |
| brain activity. The problem is to prove that what | | | | around the skull, face and ear area of the user and |
| harms mice brains will cause the same effect in | | | | runs through the circuitry of the phone when |
| human brains. Regardless, the doctor has three pieces | | | | transmitting the call. A dummy head is immersed in a |
| of advice for people using cell phones: | | | | gel-like solution similar to body fluid and a cell phone is |
| | | | attached to the ear. Readings are taken from the |
| Always talk with a wide open antenna. | | | | antenna to determine the S.A.R. strength which will |
| Keep the antenna as far away from your ear as | | | | vary from phone to phone and proximity to the |
| you can. | | | | closest signal tower.Bob Shobi is a freelance writer |
| Use speakers whenever possible. | | | | providing information and research the hazards of |
| | | | cellular phones. |
| Some common questions and answers to learn more | | | | To find out more about the dangers, get more cell |
| about this issue: | | | | phone radiation information, or check out how |
| What is E.M.R.? | | | | dangers your phone is with the common phones SAR |
| Answer: E.M.R. refers to Electromagnetic | | | | chart. |
| Radio-frequency Radiation which is the potentially | | | | |