{"id":1151,"date":"2011-07-12T09:24:06","date_gmt":"2011-07-12T14:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=1151"},"modified":"2011-07-12T09:24:06","modified_gmt":"2011-07-12T14:24:06","slug":"can-your-mobile-phone-make-you-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2011\/07\/can-your-mobile-phone-make-you-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Can your mobile phone make you sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post aims to highlight some of the current findings and concerns on the health risks associated with mobile\/cellular phone use.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are there risks associated with mobile\/cell phone use? The short answer is YES. Over the last few weeks there has been considerable discussion in the media about the fact that in May, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organisation (WHO), labelled cellular phones as \u201cpossibly carcinogenic to humans<\/em>\u201d. This designation has also been placed on materials such as lead and gasoline, which inherently highlights the gravity of the WHO\u2019s concern. However, some scientists are pointing to studies, such as those concluded in Europe in the early to mid-2000s, that have not been able to show any link between cell phones (or rather cell phone use) and cancer. Nevertheless, the ferocity of the debate overshadows the fact that some experts are still deeply apprehensive about health risks associated with long-term cell phone use.<\/p>\n

What are those health risks?<\/h3>\n

Much of the concern and scientific study on mobile phone use and cancer is focussed on the head. Specifically, researchers are trying to determine whether or not, or the extent to which, electromagnetic radiation from cell phones affect the brain and other tissues in the head, such as those of the ears, spinal cord and salivary glands.<\/p>\n

So far, and although more research is necessary, in its May press release, the IARC<\/a> was of the view that there is a link between electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and the occurrence of gliomas and acoustic neuromas.\u00a0 (A glioma<\/strong><\/em> is a type of tumour that is generally found in the brain or spine, and can be cancerous. On the other hand, an acoustic neuroma<\/strong><\/em> is a benign tumour of the inner ear.) Links between cell phones and other types of cancer have not been established, hence further study is required.<\/p>\n

Other niggling concerns<\/h3>\n

While the research to date is not fully conclusive, it is critical to appreciate the attention that is being given to determining how safe cell phones are. \u00a0As at the end of 2010, there were an estimated 5.3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide, and that figure will continue to grow (ITU<\/a>). Theerfore continued vigilance and more definitive answers are vital to ensure that the world is correctly informed about health risks, and if necessary, can better position itself to manage them.<\/p>\n

Outside of any link between cell phones and cancer, there are a number of other health concerns that require consideration or further study:<\/p>\n