1.  Kids: Don’t allow children to use a cell.  Emergency Only.

2.  Distance: Keep it away from the body as much as possible.  Use speaker, earbuds, or bluetooth.

3.  2nd Hand Cell Smoke: Avoid usage in tight spots such as cars or buses as much as possible. The radiation is caged and effects others around you.

4.  Carrying: Avoid carrying the phone on your body at all times.  Turn the signal off when you can.

5.  Keypad In: If it has to be in your pocket, turn the keypad toward your body.

6.  Make Your Point: Establish contact, make your point, hang-up.   Voila!

7.  Switch: Switch sides often during calls.  Also wait till the callee picks up before putting the phone to your ear.

8.  Speed & Weak Signals: Avoid talking while at high speeds on the road or weak signals, as the radiation increases in these situations.

9.  Texting: Self-explanatory.  Although - Don’t text & drive!  Or text at the movies for that matter. Yuck.

10. SAR Rating: Here’s where we get a little tech.   SAR = Specific Absorption Rate.  This is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field absorbed by the body.  One source to check this out is:     http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-radiation-levels/

The guide above is my friendly cliff notes version of Dr. Ronald H. Herberman’s memo.   The full version is here:

http://www.environmentaloncology.org/node/201

He is the director at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.  It was sent to faculty/staff/students of the university in July of last year.
“We shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out,” Herberman said, “but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later.”

 

An Apple a Day….

As an acupuncturist, I’m interested in preventative medicine, and the biggest public health issue today I believe is with cell phone usage and it’s effects on the body.

I could prescribe ginseng and a few well-placed needles for 10 years of treatment, but if you put a cell to your face for 4 hours a day, I don’t think I would be much help.

I’ve always been a little wary of the harmful effects of cell radiation, as many people have,  and as soon as I started to come across independent studies many years ago, I got myself into the habit of using earbuds - the kind that are an awful pain to use, which includes: 5 minutes of untangling, dropped calls, ear yanks, dropped coffee, and being harassed for being that ‘earbud-cellphone-dude’.

But hey, it makes me feel better, and you do have an extra hand to multi-task with, so it’s a win-win situation.

Simply put, my take on the issue at hand is this:

* Radiation = Damage: Cell phones emit radiation that cause damage to the body.
* The Big Guy: The cell industry protects itself by influencing media and spinning science (aka big tobacco).
* The Little Guy: Independent studies are usually small with poor funding, but the case for health advisories are building.
* Gridlock: Because of the science vs. industry debate - the issue will be at a standstill for another decade.
It’s my hope that the only serious warnings of this risk in the future  will not be from one’s own social circle: aka a sick friend or family member. As of now only select organizations, cities (Toronto), and a handful of European countries have issued an official health advisory.

Getting this message out is going to be grassroots for awhile.  So….this blog is equal to  $20,000 worth of wild high grade 100 year old ginseng, and 5000 well-placed acupuncture needles.   Please forward this to friends and family!     Print out & Post the 10 Rules in your workplace, lunchroom, classroom!

Needle foto from:
http://www.thatsfit.com/photos/ways-to-cure-headaches/444013/

Video & Links

60 Minutes Australia

 

Larry King and Expert Panel

 

Further Reading:

A Mayo Clinic-Trained Neurosurgeon’s Research & Opinion

www.brain-surgery.us/mobilephone.html

On Big Cell
www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-5741203-1.html

 

Cell Phones for Kids - Candy, et al.

 

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