While research on the risks of long-term cellphone usage have focused on possible links to cancer, a recent Turkish study has found that wearing a cellphone clipped to the hip may decrease bone density of the hip. This is of particular concern to men as women are more likely carry their cellphones in their handbag rather than attaching them on their bodies.
Last year an Israeli study found an increased risk of cancer of the salivary glands of heavy cellphone users on the side of the face they typically place the phone when speaking. This was particularly true of subjects who living in rural areas. Due to fewer antennas, cell phones in rural areas need to emit more radiation to communicate effectively. The researchers found that the heavier their cellphone usage, the more likely subjects were to develop parotid (the main salivary gland) tumors.
With both of these studies, the message seems to be that having a cellphone connected to the body for long periods of time is potentially harmful. The subjects in the Turkish study, for example, wore their cellphone on their hip an average of 15 hours a day. The authors believe young people to be at the greatest risk because of typically heavy daily usage and potentially life-long usage.
If there is indeed a risk, it is likely on the rise as the use of the cellphones continues to increase with the popularity of the smartphone, which doubles as a mini-computer and a phone. Furthermore, many people like me no longer keep a land line phone. I found no need for one as I no longer have a fax machine and receive my wireless connection through my cable modem. I do, however, make an effort to avoid long cellphone conversations and when I do speak on the phone I use headphones instead of a bluetooth.
Smart phones are here to stay, but perhaps we need to be a bit more intelligent when using them or eventually we may be exchanging our health for their convenience.
While research on the risks of long-term cellphone usage have focused on possible links to cancer, a recent Turkish study has found that wearing a cellphone clipped to the hip may decrease bone density of the hip. This is of particular concern to men as women are more likely carry their cellphones in their handbag rather than attaching them on their bodies.
Last year an Israeli study found an increased risk of cancer of the salivary glands of heavy cellphone users on the side of the face they typically place the phone when speaking. This was particularly true of subjects who living in rural areas. Due to fewer antennas, cell phones in rural areas need to emit more radiation to communicate effectively. The researchers found that the heavier their cellphone usage, the more likely subjects were to develop parotid (the main salivary gland) tumors.
With both of these studies, the message seems to be that having a cellphone connected to the body for long periods of time is potentially harmful. The subjects in the Turkish study, for example, wore their cellphone on their hip an average of 15 hours a day. The authors believe young people to be at the greatest risk because of typically heavy daily usage and potentially life-long usage.
If there is indeed a risk, it is likely on the rise as the use of the cellphones continues to increase with the popularity of the smartphone, which doubles as a mini-computer and a phone. Furthermore, many people like me no longer keep a land line phone. I found no need for one as I no longer have a fax machine and receive my wireless connection through my cable modem. I do, however, make an effort to avoid long cellphone conversations and when I do speak on the phone I use headphones instead of a bluetooth.
Smart phones are here to stay, but perhaps we need to be a bit more intelligent when using them or eventually we may be exchanging our health for their convenience.
Be Well,
Carolyn