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Can Cell Phones Harm Kids?
By Christina Quick | July 24, 2008
A prominent cancer researcher says cell phones may be hazardous for kids.
Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, says kids should only be allowed to use cell phones in emergencies because the radiation may pose a cancer risk.
Herberman says children are of particular concern since their brains are still developing.
In a memo he sent to about 3,000 faculty and staff Wednesday, the doctor said even adults should be wary of cell phones.
Herberman advises using a speakerphone setting or headset rather than placing the phone to the head. However, he says even standing near a cell phone that is in use could expose a person to electromagnetic radiation.
So far, studies haven’t shown a positive link between cell phones and brain tumors. But Herberman says “we should err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later.”
Devra Lee Davis, director of the university’s Center for Environmental Oncology, agrees.
“The question is do you want to play Russian roulette with your brain,” Davis asks.
This certainly gives me pause as I consider the number of times I’ve passed a cell phone to my kids so they could chat with a family member.
I applaud these researchers for going out on a limb to warn consumers about a potential health hazard. No doubt their concerns will be pooh-poohed by the cell phone industry, which has aggressively marketed their devices to teens and even introduced special models for young children.
In a society that’s grown dependent on iPhones and techno-devices, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that convenience isn’t always innocuous. As a parent, being safe rather than sorry seems like a good policy to me.
Topics: Health |
