How wireless technology can affect the body - Health - CBC News - 1 views
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Garrett E on 21 Oct 11Phones send waves of radiation. About five billion wireless subscriptions world wide, which is given by WHO's estimate. Long-term exposure to the the electromagnetic fields (EMF), which cellphones communications create, has been given attention to by researchers. In May of this year, the WHO's International Agency for REsearch on Cancer found that the evidence was too inadequate to make any conclusions about risk. Many studies have been done, but no solid proof has been found. Another study was done on a case of glioma, a type of brain cancer, and acoustic neuroma,, a slow-growing non-cancerous tumour in the inner ear that results in hearing loss. Although the group found the evidence also lacking. however, the evidence was significant enough to warrant classifying radio frequency electromagnetic fields as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." WHO places this in a category known as 2B. Mind, coffee and pesticide DDT are also classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Placing calls rather than emailing or texting has been proved that the risk is higher since the radio frequency energy is higher. Even though the evidence is limited, many countries advise children especially should limit their use of cellphones. The United Kingdom, German, Belgium, Israel, Russia, France, Canada, and India are all included. James McNamee, division chief for health effects and assessments in Health Canada's bureau of consumer and clinical radiation protection, said, "There has been relatively little science done on children and children's cellphone use, and children are going to be using these devices for a much larger period of their life span. Their brains and immune systems are still developing." Health Canada said cellphone users may take practical steps to reduce exposure, such as: Limit the length of cellphone calls. Replace cellphone calls with text messages or use "hands-free" devices. Encourage those under the age of 18 to limit the cellphone use.