This month, the California Department of Health released guidelines warning residents about the dangers associated with putting cell phones up to our heads. While the guidelines have been in the works since 2009, for some reason, the state didn’t want to release them. However, thanks to a lawsuit from Joel Moskowitz, a Berkeley professor and director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC-Berkeley’s School of Public Health, a judge compelled the state to publish.
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The guideline says in part,
“Although the science is still evolving, some laboratory experiments and human health studies have suggested the possibility that long-term, high use of cell phones may be linked to certain types of cancer and other health effects, including: • brain cancer and tumors of the acoustic nerve (needed for hearing and maintaining balance) and salivary glands • lower sperm counts and inactive or less mobile sperm • headaches and effects on learning and memory, hearing, behavior, and sleep”1
(To read the entire statement, click here.)
If you’ve spent any time on my site then you’ll know that mobile phones emit radiation, which is measured in radio-frequency energy. Currently, US law requires all cell phones to function so that they cause “less than 1.6 watts of radiation to be absorbed by the human body, per gram of body tissue (known as specific absorption rate, or SAR 1.6).” 2However, the rule is really only designed to protect the user from the excess heat that can be generated by RF waves. It doesn’t even take into account DNA damage or altered protein expression.
And, although cell phones are tested against a simulated human head in the “talking” position they aren’t tested in the “carrying” position and that has many worried that the FCC testing is missing a lot of actual exposure.
For instance, did you know that the manual that comes pre-installed on your iPhone gives implicit instructions about using a hands-free option while talking in order to “reduce exposure to RF energy?” It also notes that cell phones are tested for radiation assuming the devices would be kept at least 5 mm (0.2 in) away from the body while being carried. But that’s for the iPhone 6! The manual for the iPhone 5 recommended users carry their phones 10 millimeters away from their bodies at all times.
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The guidelines go on to state:3
Keeping your phone just a few feet away from you can make a big difference.
• When you talk on your cell phone, avoid holding it to your head—use the speakerphone or a headset instead. Wireless (Bluetooth) and wired headsets emit much less RF energy than cell phones.
• Send text messages instead of talking on the phone.
• If you are streaming or if you are downloading or sending large files, try to keep the phone away from your head and body.
• Carry your cell phone in a backpack, briefcase, or purse; NOT in a pocket, bra or belt holster. Because your phone’s antenna tries to stay connected with a cell tower whenever it’s on, it emits some RF energy even when you are not using it. It does not emit RF energy when it’s in airplane mode. (Airplane mode turns off cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.)
The guidelines, which I would suggest you read, have a separate warning about cell phone use and children, as well, which is wise given that their brains and bodies are still developing. Let’s not forget that over the course of a lifetime (since they will never know a world without cells phones) their exposure will be much higher than those of us who started in our twenties, or seventies.
The California health department document is just a warning, though. Actual changes to manufacturing standards would have to come from the FCC. Back in 2013, the American Academy of Pediatrics did ask the FCC to start taking childhood cell phone users into account when they made their standards but thus far, they’ve done nothing. So, until they get busy doing what they need to do, it’s up to you to protect your family.
XO- Erin
