The potential health risks of cell phones, explained
Read the California Department of Public Health’s tips on how to reduce your radio frequency exposure here.
Whether it’s a call, or sending a text, many of us are attached to our cell phones.
With the use of smartphones growing around the U.S., California public health officials have released guidelines on reducing exposure to radio-frequency (RF) energy.
RF energy is released from phones when sending and receiving signals to and from cell towers.
In the guidelines, officials say long-term, high use of cell phones could lead to effects such as cancer, tumors, headaches and effects on learning and memory, hearing, behavior and sleep.
Though more study is still needed.
“Everyone is using a cell phone,” Ellie Marks, Director of the California Brain Tumor Association said. “You have little children using them. I see little babies chewing on them as chew toys.”
Marks said people should be conscious of limiting exposure, like using a speakerphone or headset instead of holding your phone to your head.
“People should not sleep with them near them at night,” Marks said referring to the Califorina Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines. “They should not keep them in their bra. They should not keep them in their pocket.”
Marks said devices, including iPhones, have a section under general settings for users about exposure to RF energy, and recommendations on where to keep the phone around your body.
She said she hopes the new info will not curb use, but offer people safer ways to stay connected.
“We need people to hear about it, and use these precautions,” Marks said. “Hopefully, we’re saving some lives.”
If your phone has a weak signal or you’re traveling at a high speed, your phone is probably putting out more RF energy than usual.
Marks and radiation specialists spoke Thursday night at a screening at the Cambria Showroom in Palm Desert tonight for a film on possible health effects related to cell phones.
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