As more cell phone towers go up across the country, and more people start using cell phones, more cell phone users are questioning whether or not they need to use a cell phone anti-radiation shield.
Do You Need A Cell Phone Anti-Radiation Shield?
If you search hard enough, you'll be able to locate legitimate scientific studies that indicate there may be a cancer risk from the radio wave radiation that's emitted from your cell phone. On the other hand, you'll be able to find just as many studies that prove there's no danger from the levels of radiation coming from your phone. What do you believe?
Unfortunately, the current state of cell phone radiation research is similar to the early days of tobacco research. It wasn't until 1999 when the U.S. Department of Justice finally filed a racketeering lawsuit against the major tobacco companies for engaging in a "50 year scheme" to counteract any scientific evidence that showed that cigarettes are harmful to a person's health. Is the potential cell phone cancer link the same sort of scenario? Are cell phone companies funding and promoting research that "proves" no link from cell phone radio radiation in an effort to discredit those studies that are uncovering problems?
The Body of Evidence
When you examine the studies that exist on both sides of the debate, it can feel overwhelming. It seems like every year there are new studies that find harmful health effects of cell phone radiation, as well as studies that show no health effects whatsoever. So who do you believe? Should you get a cell phone anti-radiation shield?
Studies that Show Harmful Health Effects
- In February of 2008, a research study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study, conducted at Tel Aviv University, examined 500 Israelis who had developed salivary gland cancer and compared their level of mobile phone usage to 1,300 healthy adults. The researchers discovered that within the entire group, those who used their cell phone for a few hours a day had 50 percent higher odds of developing a salivary gland tumor.
- A 2004 research study conducted by a research team in Stockholm, Sweden reported in the Epidemiology Journal that using a cell phone for over ten years quadrupled the risk of developing a rare tumor called acoustic neuromas. The World Health Organization (WHO) funded the study.
Studies that Show No Effects to Health
- In June of 2008, a Japanese study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, considered how mobile phone radiation levels affected different parts of the brain. After studying the mobile phone use of 322 brain cancer patients and 683 healthy adults, the study concluded that using a mobile phone "regularly" did not increase the risk of brain cancer.
- In 2006, a study from Denmark, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, followed 420,000 cell phone users and compared their records to the Danish Cancer Registry. The study found that there's no increased risk of suffering from cancer by using a cell phone.
With all of these studies, we have to remember that correlation does not imply causation. Are cell phones causing (or not causing) the damage or is it a third factor that has been left unaccounted for?
The Decision to Use a Radiation Shield
Lately, more news has surfaced regarding the potential damaging health effects of extensive cell phone use.
Reasons for Concern
In one disturbing story from 2003, scientist George Carlo, previously a researcher hired by the cell phone industry to study health effects of cell phone usage, decided to blow the whistle on the industry and reported that when his studies found genetic damage in risks of cancer, the cellular companies cut off funding.
In 2008, the most surprising news article reported that Dr. Ronald Herbermann, the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, advised his 3,000 faculty and staff to keep the cell phone away from the head by using a headset and to keep children from using cell phones except in emergencies. He cites unpublished scientific studies as the source of his concern.
Where to Find a Cell Phone Anti-Radiation Shield
If you are concerned about the possible health effects of radio wave radiation emitted by your cell phone, your options are simple and cheap. This kind of radiation is at its highest levels nearest the antenna. Also, not all cell phones are created equal. Sar Shield offers a useful radiation chart for cell phones that provides an accurate "Sar rating" for every cell phone model. It's important to realize that at these low radiation levels, if you keep the cell phone away from your head and body, you are perfectly safe. However, if you'd rather not use a headset, then there are plenty of resources to obtain a radiation shield for your phone.
- Amazon also offers plenty of products, such as this Anti-Radiation and Battery Salvager.
- If you prefer clipping your cell phone to your pants pocket, consider buying some phone-radiation EMF blocking underwear from Swedish underwear maker, Isa Bodywear.
Making Your Decision
A few years ago, the science regarding links between cell phone radiation and various health ailments was a very emergent science. Even today, most scientists disagree about many of the findings. However, the fact that so many new studies are discovering effects that cell phone radiation can have on human biology, it makes sense to play it safe. If there are no negative health effects, then you're only out a few bucks. But if it turns out there really are serious health issues related to cell phone radiation, then by protecting yourself early, you can protect your health and potentially save your life by getting a cell phone anti-radiation shield.
