ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP CELL PHONE RADIATION GUIDE

Cell phone radiation is a fairly new thing in today's modern world. Today, everyone has a cell phone, young children included. I don't think we will truly know the effects for another ten or twenty years. Until then, it is better to be on the safe side.

Anything that emits radiation is potentially dangerous and therefore should be handled with care. Cell phones are no different. I am sure the cell phone industry is doing their best to spread lies and misinformation about the potential dangers. Common sense tells me that holding a cell phone that emits radiation that close to the brain is bound to cause problems. This list may be helpful to limit radiation exposure as much as possible.



EWG’s Guide to Reduce Cell Phone Radiation Exposure

Cell phones emit radiation to send voice and text messages to the other caller. Health risks aren’t confirmed, but some (not all) studies of frequent cell phone users suggest increased risks for brain and mouth tumors and children’s behavior problems.

To be on the safe side, follow the tips below to reduce exposures.


1. BUY A LOW-RADIATION PHONE
Look up your phone on EWG’s buyer’s guide. (Your phone's model number may be printed under your battery.) Consider replacing your phone with one that emits the lowest radiation possible and still meets your needs.

2. USE A HEADSET OR SPEAKER
Headsets emit much less radiation than phones. Choose either wired or wireless (experts are split on which version is safer) using our cell phone headset guide. Some wireless headsets emit continuous, low-level radiation, so take yours off your ear when you're not on a call. Using your phone in speaker mode also reduces radiation to the head.


3. LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS
Your phone emits radiation when you talk or text, but not when you're receiving messages. Listening more and talking less reduces your exposures.

4. HOLD PHONE AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
Hold the phone away from your torso when you're talking (with headset or speaker), not against your ear, in a pocket, or on your belt where soft body tissues absorb radiation.

5. CHOOSE TEXTING OVER TALKING
Phones use less power (less radiation) to send text than voice. And unlike when you speak with the phone at your ear, texting keeps radiation away from your head.


6. POOR SIGNAL? STAY OFF THE PHONE
Fewer signal bars on your phone means that it emits more radiation to get the signal to the tower. Make and take calls when your phone has a strong signal.

7. LIMIT CHILDREN’S PHONE USE
Young children’s brains absorb twice the cell phone radiation as an adult’s. EWG joins health agencies in at least 6 countries in recommending limits for children’s phone use, such as for emergency situations only.

8. SKIP THE “RADIATION SHIELD”
Radiation shields such as antenna caps or keypad covers reduce the connection quality and force the phone to transmit at a higher power with higher radiation