Maine may be the first state to require warning labels on cell phone packaging like those on cigarette packaging. Maine State Representative Andrea M. Boland is convinced that the radiation from cell phones increases the risk of brain cancer when held at the ear.
Maine brains at risk for cancer.
In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to introduce an amendment requiring cell phone packaging to display the amount of radiation emitted. France and India already recommend limiting exposure to cell phone radiation.
In our country there is an estimated 276.6 million cell phone users according to CTIA—the Wireless Association, the leading industry trade group. The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute is advising their staff members to limit cell phone use and to use hands-free devices. Does this mean we are looking to a future of tumor laden brains in the US?
The National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued statements reputing any increased cancer risk from cell phone usage. A Danish study reported that the rate of brain cancer in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden remained the same from 1974 to 2003. These are pretty powerful groups telling us not to worry.
Is the WHO lying to us? Are we at risk from our favorite cell phones? Will we find out too late that we have been subjected to brain cancer causing behavior? Is this much like when we were lied to about cigarettes not causing cancer? What’s your take on it?
