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Cell Phones and Cancer
Posted By Dr. Mercola | January 02 2008
20/20 arranged for a leading research laboratory in Europe to conduct tests on five popular cell phone models to determine how much microwave radiation can be absorbed into the head of a cell phone user, depending on how the phones are held. While the cell phone industry has assured consumers for years that cellular phones are completely safe, the industry?s former research director has now come forward to say this can no longer be presumed.
The industry had come out and said that there were thousands of studies that proved that wireless phones are safe, and the fact was that there were no studies that were directly relevant.? The $200-billion-a-year cell phone industry maintains the devices are safe. What many of the country?s 80 million cell phone users may not know is that cell phones send electromagnetic waves into users? brains. In fact, every cell phone model sold in the United States has a specific measurement of how much microwave energy from the phone can penetrate the brain.?
Depending on how close the cell phone antenna is to the head, as much as 60 percent of the microwave radiation is absorbed by and actually penetrates the area around the head, some reaching an inch to an inch-and-a-half into the brain. This is the first generation that has put relatively high-powered transmitters against the head, day after day. The cell phone industry says every phone it sells is safe and meets government radiation safety limits.
But tests conducted by 20/20 have found that some of the country?s most popular cell phones can ? depending on how they?re held ? exceed the radiation limit. 20/20 reports that government testing guidelines are so vague that a phone can pass the Federal Communications Commission?s requirements when tested in one position and exceed those maximum levels when held in another position.
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
I have known for some time that these phones are dangerous and have had a cell phone for well over ten years. However, I use my phone about five minutes every year. It is for emergency purposes only. Most individuals have no clue of the harm that they are exposing themselves to by putting that microwave transmitter next to their head.
That does not mean one needs to abandon this technology, as it clearly is very useful. The simple solution would be to purchase a new cell phone that would allow you plug in a hands free adapter. Most all older phones do not have the pin adapters, but many of the newer models have them. This would place the phone away from the most important area of your body, your brain.
Ideally, it would be best to keep the phone as far away from your body as possible; but attaching the phone to your belt or pocket that is far better than putting it next to your brain. This is also true for the portable phone in your home. Throw away your current model and get one of the newer ones that allow you put a headset on and talk without holding the transmitter next to your head. Portable phones have far less radiation than a cell phone, but they still transmit radiation.
One also receives the additional benefit of not having to suffer from neck or upper back pain by having to prop or hold the phone in an unusual position. If you are interested in staying healthy, I strongly recommend you implement these changes in your telecommunication strategy.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/cell-phones-and-cancer.aspx