You may recall a study I posted last month about the risks of using cellular phones for more than a decade, specifically growing acoustic neuromas -- benign tumors on the auditory nerve -- near the ear used most often. New research, largely funded by the European Union, has found radio waves from mobile phones harm body cells and damage DNA in laboratory conditions.
Researchers studied the effect of radiation on human and animal cells in a laboratory project over four years. After being exposed to electromagnetic fields typically produced by cellular phones, cells showed a significant increase in single and double-strand DNA breaks, damage that could not always be repaired.
It always pays to be cautious when it comes to the safety of your health particularly when dollars tend to speak louder than facts, and the mobile phone industry accounts for more than $100 BILLION annually:
- An estimated 650 MILLION phones are expected to be sold this year.
- More than 1.5 BILLION people use them.
Although researchers didn't intend to "create a panic," they advised, as I have, to use a wireless headset whenever possible. For your continued optimal health and better safety, I also recommend limiting your cellular phone use -- especially while driving.
USA Today December 21, 2004