Regular use of mobile telephones increases the risk of developing tumors, a new scientific study by Israeli researchers and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology revealed on Friday. An extract of the report seen by Israel’s Yedoit Aharonot newspaper put the risk of developing a parotid gland tumour nearly 50 percent higher for frequent mobile phone users — more than 22 hours a month. The risk was still higher if users clamped the phone to the same ear, did not use hands-free devices or were in rural areas. “Analysis restricted to regular users or to conditions that may yield higher levels of exposure (eg heavy use in rural areas) showed consistently elevated risks,” said an abstract of the report in the US journal made available to AFP.
The study included 402 benign and 58 malignant incident cases of parotid gland tumor diagnosed in Israel at age 18 years or more, in 2001-2003. The research was led by Dr Siegal Sadetzki, a cancer and radiation expert at the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre in Israel and as part of a World Health Organization project.
It doesn’t mention the dangers of being hit by a train while using a cell phone. Or sitting in your living room with your laptop cooking the family jewels. And what about all the kids whose are still developing? Maybe someday we will get to the truth of the matter. Until then, I am glad I’m somewhat of a Luddite when it comes to cell phone use.
More bullshit from Israel…
I think people run a greater risk of having me kick their ass because they talk too fucking loud in public. No one wants to listen to your conversation and it is not necessary to yell into the phone. Yeah, we can hear you now asshole! How would you like that phone turned into a suppository?
This is a public service announcement.
Yeah, why is it that people think they have to scream into a cell phone when they generally don’t talk that way on a regular phone? It’s sure irritating as hell.
22 hours a month? I would think that such persons would end up in a fatal car crash before the joys of such a medical condition. I almost hate talking on a cell phone as I do driving in an ice storm with soccer moms in mini vans packed full of future yackers taking an on ramp at 60 mph.
I think we should just ban cell phones. It really isn’t that important to be talking so much on the phone. There are all sorts of safer alternatives. Cell phones should be limited to emergency situations. I don’t think this threat to public safety should be ignored. Let’s ban all cell phones before we have to foot the bill for all these cancers.
Why is it surprising that surrounding ourselves with devices that are constantly emitting electrical and magnetic field would alter our biology? As long as we expose our bodies to things that it was not developed to consume, there will be consequences. I’m not saying we should go all Unabomber or anything; just that we ought to realize at some point that what we choose to surround ourselves with will have consequences, either beneficially or detrimentally, on our health.
Just because Cell Phones were targeted in this study should not detract from the very basic premise that everything we do and expose ourselves to has an effect on our systems. No matter how hard we try, at least for the time being, we are no more than biological lab rats to our own technological advances, many times finding out too late that what we did in the past might have been a mistake. Anyone remember Lobotomies, DDT, Mercury, Bloodletting, or Internal Combustion? All hailed as marvels until the consequences became indisputable.
Cell Phones are no different. 99.99999999% of the Cell Phone calls that are made are not important enough that it could wait until someone got to a land-line. But you still see the guy in the cheap suit sporting the Uhura piece in Starbucks, not in case he gets that all-important stock tip that will transform his life, but because he’s using it as a fashion statement that seems to say to him, “I’m more important than you,” when it really only has the effect of saying “I can’t get away from my unnecessary, yet self-soothing, leash.”
I’ve always been dubious about claims that cell phones are totally safe.
After all, the frequency they emit is known to cause tissue damage at higher levels. I don’t think there is any scientific debate about this.
But, even though the power level is quite low in cell phones, the duration can very long — and the extremely close to brains and testicles (for some of us!).
This seems like a formula for cancer.
Well, it is still better than using some syphlitic, tuberculin public phone. I think we should be allowed to taser people for shouting into their cellphone in a public place.
Personally, I agree with the complaints about the ‘always on’ yakkers, and keep my use to a minimum. Of course, since I work six days a week adjacent to a 1K AM transmitter, I suppose that’s like complaining about second hand smoke at a pot party.
J/P=?
Most of these folks won’t limit their yakking on these damn things until they start bleeding at the ears. Just wait until you can get the cursed things surgically implanted. Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick.
It seems like every other week there’s a new study showing either that cellphones are causing cancer or that they are totally harmless.
I suspect that all of you “loud talker” haters out there would find that you do it to without even realizing it. It is a natural response to 1) the person on the other end going “what, what, what” every few seconds..and 2) You going “what, what, what” every few seconds..especially when your eyes keep telling your brain “of course they can’t hear you idiot, there is no mouthpiece..speak up a little so the sound can get all the way up to where the damned phone is..”. I have to admit I catch myself doing it and try and modulate, but, with the average connection being crap about 90% of the time, it’s hard not to believe that just speaking up a little will “help”. Probably a good thing I’m one of those 5 minute a month people.
The problem will alleviate over time. Either people will start seeing some diagrams of how the sound gets into your cell…and trust that it’s getting there, or they’ll all die from cancer…either way, problem solved.
STFU said, W ell, it is still better than using some syphlitic, tuberculin public phone.
Are you one of those germ phobic guys who exits the bathroom using a paper towel and then throws it on the floor?
I’ve never known a single person to catch anything from a pay phone.
This thing with the cell phones is no reason to panic but I seriously believe there may be something to it.
I was taught when I got my ham radio license, tissue damage done by RF has four main factors — frequency, strength, duration and proximity.
In cell phones the frequency is certainly at the level where damage can be done. Strength is quite low. Duration is quite high and proximity is extremely close.
Worse, it’s close to very sensitive areas. It’s right next to your brain when you talk and next to your testicles when you have it in your pocket.
Since conservatives took over our government, they have completely abandoned any action that might hurt big business. So, I don’t expect them to do serious research about this. From the little I know about RF, it clearly deserves unbiased research. That’s all I’m asking for.
If this study is true, then how come the many health insurers don’t (yet) screen people out for cellphone use, as a prior health risk factor?
On the crass side… Let’s send free cellphones for all, to the middle east, instead of american soldiers. Then, in a decade or two, problem solved! Maybe cellphones were purposely invented to help eliminate people who talk too much about nothing. Genius!
Patiently waiting for some posting about NASA failing to launch before Christmas, so I can comment about it. I’m surprised that something hasn’t been posted as yet. Won’t be surprised if they delay the mission until they’re either returning on Dec 25th, or just after. Always makes for great PR to have a mission going or ending on Christmas day. Which begs the question, are these problems they’re having, real or made up?
There is no mention if the study was based on digital or analogue service and if that does make a difference.
Cheers
Here’s the real question: what are these people doing on the phone over 22 hours a month? If that’s because it’s part of their job, they should be using a headset with a regular phone, not a cell phone. I’d be more worried about pulled neck muscles than cancer. THat, and looking stupid as I walk down the street talking to an apparently imaginary friend.
There have been long term studies on the older, higher power analog phones that concluded that cellphone use is not a problem. I used to work with the principal author of that study many years ago (but not on cell phones–they didn’t exist then).
TIHZ_HO said, There is no mention if the study was based on digital or analogue service and if that does make a difference.
I can’t imagine what difference analogue vs digital would make, except that the newer digital services run on lower wattage. (or so I remember.) Watt-for-watt, its the same, I assume.
But c’mon guys! High frequency RF is a know risk. I am not prone to paranoia about health risks — just the opposite. I think most common health fears are just phobia.
But high frequency RF is a totally documented health risk! The only mitigating issue, is the fact that cell phones are pretty low power. But to offset the low power is the fact that people keep these phones transmitting right next to their brains for literally hours a day.
#19. Have you actually seen how teenagers use cellphones?
That’s true cell-phone radiations is very dangerous to us but most of them were not aware of this…its better to have a precautions catalog or the usage process to avoid such risks with those mobile phones…