Is your cell phone really dangerous?

Full Article

Is your cell phone really dangerous?

By Michaela L. Duckett – June 2, 2011

Font Size:

Share:

Good Morning! Today is “Leave the Office Early Day.” This special holiday, created by productivity expert Laura Stack, is not about slacking off but rather adjusting priorities temporarily to take advantage of some much needed personal time. Many of us can’t afford a vacation and have no plans to take one anytime soon. So, today is for those overworked employees who just need a break.

Need a quick excuse? Just use Rusty’s Random Excuse Generator. Submit one of these letters, and your boss may give you more time off than expected.

Ok, so maybe you can’t leave work early. Here are seven ways to at least leave on time.

Don’t forget an umbrella. The weatherman says there is a chance for a few isolated thunderstorms this afternoon, and some may be severe. Today will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 90’s.

Here's what is brewing in the news:

How dangerous is your cell phone?

Did you read the instruction manual that came with your cell phone? Probably not. Most of us know how to use a phone. You dial a number or answer a call, and put it up to your ear to talk, right? Wrong.

The instructions inserted with many phones, including the Blackberry, direct users not to place the phone within about an inch of their head.

According to CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, if the phone is any closer, it could emit dangerous levels of radiation. “There is a certain amount of radiation that is considered the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) limit,” Gupta told CNN reporter Anderson Cooper.

“That limit is sort of dictated by having the phone about an inch away from your head. If you move it closer to your head, they say that they can no longer guarantee that your phone isn’t emitting more radiation than the FCC limit,” he said.

Among other things, Gupta's reports on cell phone dangers also suggest that cell phones can reduce a person’s ability to have children.

VIDEO: Gupta digs into cell phone safety

For the past few years, the safety of cell phones has come under increased scrutiny. Earlier this week, scientists at the World Health Organization released a study that linked cell phones with certain types of brain cancer.

Still, some continue to dissmiss warnings issued about the dangers of cell phones. Some consider them silly and foolish. Others are simply just not convinced by the proof, particularly that cell phones are linked to cancer.

Skeptics say it's too early to know for sure. Cell phones have been popular in the United States for about 15 years. Many tumors have a latency period that can reach 20 years or more.

Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, believes there is enough evidence to warrant some “precautionary advice.” He sent a memo warning staffers to limit their cell phone use. One of the possible consequences, he says, is an increased risk of brain cancer.

Herberman advises against allowing children to use cell phones. He said you should avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times, never sleep near it and never use it when the signal is weak. He also recommends constantly switching sides when using it to spread out the radiation.

Who knew using a phone could be so complicated?

***QUESTION: What will it take for you to change the way you use your phone or have you already made changes? Please share your responses in the comment section below.

Related Story: Cellphone study raises profile on safety lawsuits
***
Shaquille O’neal announces his retirement on Twitter
Yesterday, the four-time NBA champion said that after nearly 2 decades in the game, he may be throwing in the towel. His message read, "We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Thank you, talk to you soon." (Read more here.)
***

Cyber attacks, an act of war?
The U.S. Pentagon is set to publish plans that will categorize cyber-attacks as acts of war, reports BBC News. In the future attacking key U.S. computer systems could be treated as acts of aggression. Although it is unclear what the response would be, the Wall Street Journal quoted a military official as saying: "If you shut down our power grid, maybe we will put a missile down one of your smokestacks." Officials have confirmed that the Pentagon is drawing up a cyber defense strategy, which will be ready in two to three weeks. (Read more at BBC)
***

J Hud wants an apology
Jennifer Hudson says the gossip website Bossip.com owes her an apology for running a headline that read, “Publishers Would Rather Try to Make Money from the Hudson Family Murders than J.Hud’s Slimmy Trimmy-Dom.” Bossip reported that Hudson’s attempt to have her book, Feeling Good Now That I’m Not a Big Girl, published has failed because publishers want her to talk more about the death of her mom and nephew. Hudson called the headline “cruel.” She tweeted, “Bossip U owe me an apology! Y would u take someone’s tragedy and build a story of nothing but lies around it?” (Read more here)