Cell phone warning

Variety
Excessive cell phone use may lead to cancer: expert


Excessive use of cell phones may lead to possible health hazards, including cancer, a US expert has warned.

Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Dr Ronald Herberman issued an advisory to about 3,000 faculty and staff about the possible health risks involved with the use of the gadget.

The director said the evidence is still controversial but he was convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant for an advisory. Several other experts say that the warning is premature as studies have not conclusively proved that excessive use of c ell phone leads to cancer or other disease.

“Recently, I have become aware of the growing body of literature linking long-term cell phone use to possible adverse health effects including cancer,'' Dr Herberman said in the memorandum.

The advisory, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says, calls for certain measures to limit exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the devices, such as shortening the length of conversations or keeping the phones away from the head by text messaging or usi ng headsets or speaker phone options.

It also recommends that children should not use cell phones except in emergencies.