A new World Health Organization (WHO) report labels cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Further, the report classifies cell phones in category 2B, meaning that cell phones are as hazardous to humans as DDT and gasoline engine exhaust. The WHO will be creating a set of guidelines for cell phone use that will be released in the near future.
These sorts of silly reports come out all the time–and they’re all the same. Some modern convenience that a large portion of humans enjoy is always found to be at risk of creating some massive problem that is far enough off in the distance that no one notices when the doomsdayesque predictions never come true.
In Europe, hysteria from government nut jobs seems to be running high:
The European Environmental Agency has pushed for more studies, saying cell phones could be as big a public health risk as smoking, asbestos and leaded gasoline. The head of a prominent cancer-research institute at the University of Pittsburgh sent a memo to all employees urging them to limit cell phone use because of a possible risk of cancer.
Further hysteria from some doctors who say cell phones could possibly cause cancer:
“When you look at cancer development — particularly brain cancer — it takes a long time to develop. I think it is a good idea to give the public some sort of warning that long-term exposure to radiation from your cell phone could possibly cause cancer,” said Dr. Henry Lai, research professor in bioengineering at University of Washington who has studied radiation for over 30 years.
Results from the largest international study on cell phones and cancer was released in 2010. It showed participants in the study who used a cell phones for 10 years or more had doubled the rate of brain glioma, a type of tumor. To date, there have been no long-term studies on the effects of cell phone usage among children.
“Childrens’ skulls and scalps are thinner. So the radiation can penetrate deeper into the brain of children and young adults. Their cells are dividing faster rate, so the impact of radiation can be much larger.” said Black of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The amount of radiation emitted is less than that from your microwave in your kitchen. So before you stop using your cell phone to prevent cancer, make sure to first stop using your appliances at home.
Until I know for sure what will happen when I use my cell phone, I will wear a tin-foil hat just to be safe.
