Cancer Isn’t the Only Health Risk From Using Your Cell Phone Too Much

By Tom Crabtree
Anchor
Published: July 24, 2008

This week, as I stopped at a traffic light, I pulled beside a man on a big motorcycle.

He wasn’t wearing a helmet, and I noticed his head was cocked to the left in an uncomfortable-looking position.

As he pulled away, I could tell why his head was cocked.  He was talking on a cell phone while both his hands were on the handlebars of his bike.

It’s worth repeating… he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

I thought to myself, “This guy is gonna have a wreck.”

This is the first time I’ve seen a motorcycle rider using a cell phone at the same time.

It seems that in the vast majority of cars I meet on the road or sit beside at stoplights, the driver is on the phone.

Often, I am too.

You can tell from the close calls that many drivers are giving more attention to their phones than the road.

And -texting- while driving?  That’s going on too.  Unbelievably dangerous.  On the “Only A Matter Of Time Until They Have A Wreck” scale, it ranks right up there with women applying make-up as they drive.

I saw the motorcycle guy on the same day a new report came out on cancer risks associated with cell phone use.

According to the Associated Press, the head of the cancer research center at the University of Pittsburgh says there is a “growing body of literature” linking long-term cell phone use with adverse health effects, including the possible risk of brain cancer.  Dr. Ronald Herberman is urging his faculty and staff to keep cell phones away from their heads.  He’s also telling them to use the speakerphone or a wireless headset.  Herberman also says children shouldn’t use cell phones except in emergencies.

Numerous studies have found no link between brain tumors and cell phone use.  The Food and Drug Administration says it’s probably a very small risk, if there is any at all.

I doubt the Pittsburgh cancer center’s warnings will change many people’s habits.  We’re too hooked on staying in touch.  Cell phones have quickly become a must-have and must-use item.  The daily routine of getting dressed includes wristwatch, ring, wallet… and cell phone.

They are wonderful gadgets.  Imagine the stress we could’ve all saved our mothers if we’d had cell phones they could call.

If some organization wants to study possible health risks from cell phone use, they should do the study in Israel.

When I visited there as part of a News Channel 7 crew in 1997, everyone… and I mean -everyone-… had a cell phone.  Probably more than one.  Our tour guide, Dalia, had three!  I’m not sure why, but she seemed to use them all.  She may have a dozen by now.

Though safety experts tell us it’s dangerous, I don’t blame folks for using cell phones as they drive.  In this age of multi-tasking, they allow us to multi-multi task.  And I love being able to reach family and friends practically anywhere, anytime.

But I’ll never forget the guy on the motorcycle.

I hope he’ll put his phone away until he reaches his destination, then return all his calls safely.

C’mon pal, enjoy the wind in your face.

It’s a lot better for you than the phone in your ear.