The virtual ink had just dried on my last blog about potential cell-phone dangers when a prominent cancer expert whipped up a fresh round of alarm Thursday about what all that electromagnetic radiation is doing to our brains. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, urged his faculty and staff to limit their use of mobile phones because unpublished research had finally convinced him of the brain-cancer hazards, especially for children.
Whatever the yet-to-be-unveiled, mysterious research findings might be, Dr. Herberman says he was also playing it better safe than sorry—an approach that is starting to look pretty smart.
As I write this, my sister is on her way to purchase a headset for her cell phone. And I’m guessing such sales are booming nationwide this week—up already no doubt since California’s July 1 switch to hands-free driving.
But I’m also looking out for a texting surge.
Not that texting is completely safe either. Among the risks:
1. Bumping into people.
2. Driving into utility poles.
3. Blackberry thumb—and now Blackberry neck, back, and belly.
I’m going on vacation this week, and as usual I’ll leave the electromagnetic and thumb-numbing gadgetry at home. Maybe this time I’ll commit to a lower-tech, lower-stress communication style when I re-enter my high-speed life. I’ve heard it posited more than once lately that cell phones (and cell towers) may be the cigarettes of the future, likely to finally prove toxic only after the cancer diagnoses have really piled up. That may end up being alarmist claptrap, but what if it isn’t? Meantime, I think I’ll text my sister and ask her to pick up a headset for me.
Comments (3)
I believe this is rubbish. Why doesn’t this “expert” give any explanation as to how this occurs. You do remember gas pumps had warnings on using cell phones while pumping gas. The claim was also “Better Safe Than Sorry”??? Not one case of any explosions or ignition has been confirmed and those warnings are disappearing? I have been an Electronics engineer for about 50 years, in Aeospace and communications and I have questioned many people making these claims, including fire departments. Not one has an explanation how an explosion can occur, they were only told b6y “Experts”. One incident in the UK reported an explosion possibly from a cell phone, but this was never proven.
There are new warnings now that you should discharge yourdelf from static charge before pumping gas. Now this is more likely, because a static electrical spark of up to a thousand volts (I have measured this on an ocilloscope)can generate an arc several inches. How many people discharge themselves? All gasoline tankers have a grounding wire and also fueling of aircraft. Ever since the Hindenburg Zeplin it appears very likely this could have caused an explosion and there have been many cases.
As to causing physical harm of electro-magnetic radiation, I must add, why does this “Expert” have no concern of cop car transmitters, Ham radios, radar guns, radar cameras, radio stations, MRI systems etc. etc. All emitting millions of times more electro-magnetic forces greater than a cell phone which is in the micro/milliwatts????
Sincerely, Bob Montanez (A non-expert)
Hey! bob montanez thats not right Cell phone is cancerous!!!!!!!!!!
Tax all the cell phones like they do tobacco…then go after alcohol and food additives.