Mercola.com
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/01/08/cellular-phones.aspx
Over 1.5 billion people around the world use a cellular phone; however, chances are most of these users are unaware of the damage they may be doing to their bodies.
According to a four-year research project focused on studying the effect of radiation on human and animal cells, researchers found that the radio waves emitted from a cellular phone may harm body cells and damage DNA in laboratory conditions. Although the study did not prove that mobile phones are a risk to one’s health, it did indicate that cells exposed to electromagnetic fields, similar to those of mobile phones, showed a significant increase in single and double-strand DNA breaks.
This damage could be permanent, not to mention that remaining damage could set the stage for future degeneration of cells.
Additional research could take another four or five years. In the meantime, researchers recommend against using a mobile phone when a fixed line phone is available, as well as using a headset connected to a cell phone whenever possible.
Dr. Mercola’s Comments:
You may recall a study I posted on the risks of using cellular phones for more than a decade, specifically, growing acoustic neuromas — benign tumors on the auditory nerve — near the ear that is used most often. It is due to studies like these (and the one above) that the use of cellular phones and the issue of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has become such a controversial topic.
According to the World Health Organization, some harmful effects EMFs can have on your body include:
Headache
Fatigue
Stress
Sleep disturbances
Skin symptoms like prickling, burning sensations and rashes
Muscle pains and aches
While I once discouraged the use of cell phones because of these EMF concerns, new technological innovations, such as the headset, have all but eliminated my worries.
You see, I am in no way opposed to cell phones. In fact, I have one myself. However, it is important to understand that cell phones have the potential to cause your great harm and as such you should use them as little as possible.
Fortunately, the radiation decreases quite dramatically (exponentially) the further the phone is from your body. When you use a headset, make sure the ENTIRE PHONE is away from your body, as wearing the phone on your belt will cause the radiation to go into your abdomen.
While radiating your abdominal organs is far safer than radiating your brain, ideally they should both be spared the potential damage.
Also, it is incredibly dangerous to use a cell phone while driving, as it will increase your chances of getting into a car accident by up to 400 percent — if you are young and healthy this may be your highest risk of death. Even though your eyes may be on the road while you are on the phone, your full concentration level isn’t there, so be safe and don’t use cell phones while you’re driving!