| Using a cell phone regularly - even a modern one - | | | | When you talk on your phone, you are actually talking |
| raises the risk of developing a brain tumor for many | | | | to a nearby base station. Base stations are |
| users, a new Finnish study published online in the | | | | low-power, multi-channel, two-way radios. Their |
| International Journal of Cancer. The study, done by a | | | | function is to send your phone call into the regular |
| collection of researchers from many universities and | | | | land-line phone system so you can start talking with |
| led by Anna Lahkola of the Radiation and Nuclear | | | | the person you are calling. |
| Safety Authority in Finland, found firm corollary | | | | Now, since cell phones and their base stations are |
| evidence that using a cell phone causes the risk of | | | | two-way radios, they produce radio-frequency (RF) |
| getting a brain tumor called a glioma to rise by 40 to | | | | energy which is what they use for communication. The |
| 270 percent on the side of the head preferred for | | | | scientific community both in the United States and |
| using the phone. | | | | internationally agree that the power from these base |
| What you need to know - Conventional View | | | | station antennas is far too low to produce health |
| - The study compared 1,521 cellular phone users who | | | | hazards and as long as people keep away from direct |
| received a glioma to 3,301 control participants without | | | | access to the antennas, they are safe from any |
| tumors. | | | | perceived health risks. |
| - For people who have used a modern cellular phone | | | | Buying and Savings Tips |
| for more than 2000 hours in their lifetime, the risk of | | | | Cell phones are the "in" things nowadays and it's hard |
| getting a brain tumor rose by 270 percent. | | | | not to find anyone without it. Many areas offer them |
| - The study is considered the second that firmly | | | | for as low as $19.99. An excellent tactic to save on |
| correlates cell phone usage with an increased risk of | | | | your type of service is to only get features you need. |
| developing certain brain tumors. | | | | Call your wireless provider to cancel extra features if |
| - The risk was highest among people under the age of | | | | you are not using them. This will allow you to save |
| 20. | | | | some on your service plan. |
| - Older-style analog cell phones already have been | | | | Camera Cell Phones |
| shown as a source of brain tumors, but even with the | | | | To be sure, these devices are really the hottest new |
| development of digital cellular phones, the risk is still | | | | mobile gadgets in the marketplace these days. Never |
| there. | | | | mind what sort of cell phone you have, whether it's |
| - According to a scientist associated with the web site | | | | WAP-enabled, Bluetooth, or Infrared-based. Most of |
| foodconsumer.org, the study results should not make | | | | them in the market anyway have all these capabilities |
| readers assume that ten years of cell phone use will | | | | and more. There is no doubt that they have caught on |
| correlate to an immediate tumor, but that the tumor will | | | | like wildfire in the bushes. However, the popularity of |
| show up later than that. | | | | mobile phones is hardly surprising. |
| What you need to know - Alternative View | | | | Today's cell phones can be used to do just about |
| - Mobile phone manufacturers have tried to suppress | | | | anything. Camera cell phones were first introduced in |
| the dangers of mobile phones by funding their own | | | | Japan several years ago. They immediately clicked in |
| distorted research that concludes the phones are | | | | the Asian market. However, it was not until two years |
| perfectly safe. | | | | ago that thye were marketed in the US and became |
| - All people -- but children and teens especially -- | | | | available to the masses. Industry analysts say that a |
| should be warned against using mobile phones due to | | | | huge number of camera phones were sold last year. |
| the increased risk of brain tumors. | | | | It may seem to you that a camera cell phone would |
| Cell phones are hand-held telephone devices with | | | | be no different than having a regular device. But if truth |
| built-in antennas. They are often called wireless, mobile, | | | | be told having a camera in your mobile phone makes |
| or PCS phones. They are popular with callers, | | | | for an entirely different experience. |
| especially those who are frequently on the go, since | | | | Shopping for just the right cell phone plan can be a |
| they can be carried easily from one place to another. | | | | daunting task. Don't let appearances fool you. If a plan |
| Basically, cell phones are two-way radios | | | | appears too good to be true, then it probably is. That is |
| The most recent issue about these devices is their | | | | why it is highly important for you, as a consumer, to be |
| perceived health hazards. As stated earlier, they are | | | | very vigilant when shopping for cell phone plans. |
| like radios. However, to be more accurate, cell phones | | | | Compare prices. Read the fine print. But most |
| are low-power, single-channel, two-way radio devices. | | | | important of all, consider all the factors. |