ESCANABA -- In May, the World Health Organization announced that using a mobile phone might increase the risk of certain types of brain tumors. The agency said that exposure to the phone's radiation is possibly "carcinogenic to humans."
But Dr. Teresa Frankovich of the Public Health Clinic of Delta and Menominee County disagrees. Instead, she cites a Danish study that compared cell phone use records to the National Cancer Registry.
“It is a larger study over time,” said Dr. Frankovich, “and I think the data is better. But I think all of those will have to be considered in the long run. And the best thing, again, will be to have 20 or 30 years of data."
The results of the Danish study were that there was no increase in cancer among cell phone users. An x-ray's ionizing radiation can be cancer-causing. Cellular phones emit a low intensity, non-ionizing radiation.
“And I think whenever you're dealing with technology that involves radiation of any kind, you know, it raises that concern about cancer risks," Dr. Frankovich said.
So what do you do if you have concerns but are still on the fence?
“I would just keep using it as I am now,” said Greg Potvin of Marquette. “And I would just keep my ear and eye open for if they've got any new things. I don't doubt that they're some possible maladies that could come of it, but I haven't heard anything conclusive at this point."
Experts can all agree that taking precaution is the best strategy. Many of us can't live without our cell phones, but there are ways to reduce exposure. Try to limit your cell phone usage. Use the speaker function, or better yet, use a hands-free device.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC