The Cell Phone Risk: 10 Rules of Engagement

Photo of William Wood June 1st, 2009 By William Wood
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. 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.”

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