By Admin at 27 Jun 2016, 14:20 PM
Whether or not cell phones cause cancer has been hotly debated. It’s disconcerting to think that an object you’ve likely come to depend on, and may very well use daily, could be causing you potential harm, but new research appears to have added more reason for concern.
The study, completed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found a link between cell phone radiation and cancer.
The $25-million study has been in the works for over 10 years and has the potential to be a game changer in the debate over cell phone safety. During the study, rats were exposed to the same frequency of radiation emitted by cell phones for nine hours a day (spread over the course of a day) over a period of two years.
Male rats had an increased risk of two types of tumors that have been previously linked to cell phones — gliomas (a type of brain tumor) and schwannomas (heart tumors). Since rats reach the equivalent of human adulthood in two years, the study reveals the long-term effects of cell phone usage at levels of exposure that more closely mimic real-world usage.
The effects of the study could be huge: it could potentially change the conversation over cell-phone safety and lead to the enforcement of rules cellphone companies have not had to follow, such as notifying consumers about safe-handling practices.
Further, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used to have warnings on their website about the risks of cell phone usage, and this study could persuade them to put those warnings back up. The federal government has also claimed in the past that research has not provided any concrete links between cell phones and cancer, but this may now change.
Cell phone companies may also have to stop claiming that cellphones are completely safe to use. However, despite the strong connections found in the NTP study, there are still groups that are reviewing its findings. A spokesman for the NIH released a statement saying:
“This study in mice and rats is under review by additional experts. It is important to note that previous human, observational data collected in earlier, large-scale population-based studies have found limited evidence of an increased risk for developing cancer from cell phone use.”
While we don’t yet have the final word on cell phone safety, there does appear to be reason for caution. If you’re not willing to give up your cell phone, you can minimize your exposure by using the speakerphone and texting in lieu of holding the phone to your ear. In addition, store your cell phone away from your body when it’s not in use (as opposed to carrying it all day in a pocket).
Sources:
National Toxicology Program May 26, 2016
Yahoo Finance June 2, 2016
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