This is the article that prompted my thoughts, really, so I'll open with the link....
CNN: WHO: Cell phone use can increase possible cancer risk
Quote:
(CNN) -- Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform.
Before its announcement Tuesday, WHO had assured consumers that no adverse health effects had been established.
A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, made the decision after reviewing peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. The team found enough evidence to categorize personal exposure as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
What that means is they found some evidence of increase in glioma and acoustic neuroma brain cancer for mobile phone users, but have not been able to draw conclusions for other types of cancers
"The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences," said Dr. Keith Black, chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles...
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Honestly, my first thoughts were "Again? Really?" and a lot of irritation that the headline seemed more alarmist than the actual data. First off, who
doesn't use a cell phone other than young children? Okay, cell use is less prevalent in so-called "Third World Countries"... but are they being studied for brain tumors? Secondly, what proportion of those who develop brain tumors have other risk or exposure factors in common? I get so frustrated at times that I actually find myself starting to ignore a lot of the health reports. There is mercury in my sushi, radiation in my Japanese spinach, e.coli in my green onions, and mad cow disease in my steak... And yet, I continue to eat them, continue to use my phone, I don't wash my hands 900,000 times a day and I'm not dead yet. I will be someday, but I still think it's more likely I'll die in a car crash or from some hospital-acquired virulent strain of some acronymed infection.
But, I'm curious... do other people take these reports seriously?
Do you change your habits based on what's in the news (local and tangible warnings excluded... I wouldn't expect anyone to eat strawberries from a local grower that tells the news they had samonella on 3 out of 4 quarts)?
Do you share this information with your loved ones, friends, or start up conversations with people about these issues?
Do the words "Studies have shown that...." grab your attention?