To Talk or Not To Talk on Mobile Cell Phones

Circle of Wellness
Physical

Since the time cell phones became mainstream communications device in the late 1980s, the debate about whether or not they could give us cancer or other illnesses has been going on.

The number of mobile phone users is growing defiantly. In Canada, the number has risen from 100,000 in 1987 to over 13 million in 2007.

However, about the health risks of mobile phones, we still do not have any clear answers.

There is no definite proof that over-exposure to cell phone radiation will give you cancer – or any other medical condition. On the other hand, some studies show that, at very least, cell phone radiation is doing something to our cells that may be a cause for concern.

Cellular phones do emit a type of energy, but it is not like the harmful ionizing radiation given off by X-ray machines. The Radiofrequent (RF) energy that cell phones emit is more like the electromagnetic energy that occurs naturally during thunderstorms. And most studies and government agencies, including Health Canada, reinforce the notion that cell phone energy is safe.

Even though our bodies absorbs some of the RF energy, both animal and human studies have shown no convincing evidence that cell phones can cause any serious health effects, including cancer, epileptic seizures, or sleep disorders, according to Health Canada.

Some scientists have reported that cell phones cause changes in brain activity affecting the time it takes to fall asleep and reaction time. Though a number of organizations, including Health Canada, maintain that these findings have not been proven, studies conducted by a number of universities around the world, including the University of Western Ontario, University of Washington, and Aalborg University in Denmark show that our cells could be affected, at least to some extent.

Cell phone energy causes the body’s cells, including brain cells, to go into a state of stress. The radiation causes a change in cell metabolism and stress hormones are released, which is a natural protective mechanism.

Long intervals of exposure would cause our cells to be in a state of stress for prolonged periods of time. In theory, the cells could eventually be harmed, which could lead to serious illnesses.

This said, the fact remains that there is no definite proof that harm is being done. The effects on our cells may just be temporary, and ultimately insignificant. Nobody has ever been diagnosed with an illness that can be clearly attributed to cell phone radiation. And even if small amounts of harm are being done, there’s no proof that it would necessarily translate into an illness.

Studies performed on animals showed that even when a small animal like a rat is exposed to large amounts of cell phone energy – up to 22 hours of continuous radiation daily – no harm was evident. If harm was occurring, it was not detectable.

Part of the reason it’s so difficult to definitively connect cell phones to illnesses is because of the multitude of other factors involved. For example, brain cancer affects every six out of 100,000 people, says the Food and Drug Administration. That means in 10 million people, 600 would be expected to have brain cancer whether or not they use cell phones. Therefore, although cell phones could play a role in certain illnesses, it is nearly impossible to tell for sure.

With no scientifically established connection between cell phones and illnesses, most government agencies have not put limits on cell phone use. However, some governments are taking precautionary measures. The British government, for example, has recommended that children should not use cell phones, and ordered that new cell phones come with safety pamphlets. The recommendation comes more as a precaution than a warning, since children have still-developing nervous systems.

The Government of Canada may not be packaging safety brochures, but that doesn’t mean it’s relaxed about the issue. To keep abreast of the topic, Health Canada has published Safety Code 6, which is a series of guidelines that outline the safe use of devices that emit radiation. Steps have been taken to ensure that all cell phones in Canada meet exposure limits described in Safety Code 6.

We recommend that you follow Safety Code 6 and as a precautionary measure restrict your phone usage – specially while driving.