Controversy: Cell-phone cancer-causing risk to kids

A while back, I read a research report warning that the magnetic radiation waves from cellphones could fry your kids brain-cells, now a cancer-center director issues warnings to parents to limit the use of cellphones by kids to emergencies because of the potential tumor-causing risk. We all know the mobile phone penetration level in Japan is very high, and especially from kids of early elementary grades onwards … reaching 100% among college students (this webpage refers). The warning raised immediate controversy … the article is excerpted below (read it entire here)…

Cancer center director warns of cell phone risks
Memo based on early, unpublished data; other studies show no danger

Researcher warns of possible cell phone, cancer link July 24:

A University of Pittsburgh researcher feels there is enough doubt about the cancer risks associated to cell phones to warn people to limit their use. NBC’s Tracie Potts reports.

NBC News Channel

PITTSBURGH – The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer.

The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don’t find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Herberman is basing his alarm on early unpublished data. He says it takes too long to get answers from science and he believes people should take action now — especially when it comes to children.
“Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later,” Herberman said.

No other major academic cancer research institutions have sounded such an alarm about cell phone use. But Herberman’s advice is sure to raise concern among many cell phone users and especially parents.

In the memo he sent to about 3,000 faculty and staff Wednesday, he says children should use cell phones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing.

Continue reading the whole article here.