The topic of cell phone radiation and cancer first came to my attention in the year 2000. During a Q&A panel discussion at the Kapalua Life Fest, a health and wellness tradeshow, in Maui, an audience member asked Dr. Andrew Weil, a leader in integrative medicine, if he saw a correlation between brain cancer and cell phone usage. Weil replied that he did not have any conclusive results; however, he had observed in his patients an increase in brain cancer in the past years. He next remarked that when he’s talking on a cell phone, he chooses not to hold it next to his head. I remember noting his response, but not taking action on it. Somehow, seeing all the people around me with cell phones snuggled next to their heads seemed to make it okay.
It wasn’t until recently, 11 years later, and thousands, perhaps even millions of cell phone minutes later, I felt compelled to take action to learn more about the topic of wellness and cell phone radiation. As an integral part of my business, I had been increasing my cell phone usage while working with coaching and consulting clients on the phone. Even though I promised myself to use a headset, sometimes I would forget and find myself in session without one. After coaching conversations, I would notice a burning feeling in my head which was sometimes accompanied with a headache or fatigue later in the day. It was obvious to me that using my phone for more hours in the day was having an impact on my body. I knew I could not continue, nor did I want too, damaging my health through my own voluntary actions and ignorance.
Next, through the guidance of my mom, who was in her own process of modifying her behaviors and environment for optimum health, I discovered the research and solutions I was looking for. Nestled on the top shelf of her bookcase was a book titled: Cell Phones – Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age. The book, co-authored by Dr.George Carlo and Martin Schram, highlights both the political inner-workings and scientific research about cell phone radiation. While the book reads like a movie thriller, weaving adversarial agendas between business interests, specifically the cellular telecommunication industry, and scientific findings, the results are less than thrilling.
Carlo reports that repeated exposure to cell phone radiation can lead to a series of health problems. These problems can include but, are not limited to genetic damage in human blood (tumors and cancer are a result of genetic damage), compromise the blood-brain barrier, and disrupt cardiac pacemakers.
Carlo also sited findings by other scientists: “Dr. Om Gandhi, a highly respected scientist at the University of Utah, did that study in 1996, found that the differences in the rates of penetration into the heads of five-year-old children, ten-year-old children, and adults were especially shocking.” Basically, children under 10 are more susceptible than adults, significantly so, as to how deeply the radiation, from cellular phones, penetrates the skull. The radiation penetration could effect the child’s nervous system and potential learning abilities during developmental stages.
Here are some of Gandhi’s numbers: “Absorption rates in the brain: (measured in milliwatts per kilogram, or mW/kg) *7.84 in an adult *19.77 in a ten-year old child *33.12 in a five-year-old child”.
Carlos’ findings are startling to me. I know more research is needed by many scientists and individuals. This is a journey we must take together.
Do your own research. Read books on the topic of technology and personal health such as, Cell Phones – Invisible Hazards in a Wireless Age by Dr. George Carlo and Martin Schram, or Disconnect -The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family by Devra Davis. Read online articles at The Huffington Post: Cell Phones and Brain Cancer: The Real Story and New York Times: Should You Be Snuggling With Your Cellphone?. What literature do you recommend?
Pay attention to how you feel. Have you ever noticed a day out in nature leaves you feeling different than a day working at the computer? I feel more fatigued, frazzled and frustrated when I work online all day versus feeling exhilarated, refreshed and centered after a day away from manmade technology. Start to monitor your time with technology. Balance it with time in nature. Unplug on a regular basis.
Follow common sense. Causal relationships exist everywhere in life. Even though radiation is invisible it is not innocent. Just because you can’t see, taste, touch or sense it does not mean it is not there. A drop of rain can flood villages with enough accumulation. Radiation accumulation is something to become educated about so you can take preventative measures for your health and well-being.
Listen to health recommendations. Identify the type of phone you have. Go to your mobile phone website and look for safety information. Use a headset or speakerphone. Keep out of the hands of children, especially under the age of 10 years old. For a full list of health recommendations read the books listed above.
Get protection from cell phone radiation and manmade EMF. Numerous companies have cropped up on the past ten years who specialize in providing protection from manmade technology. You can find them by searching keywords such as cell phone protection or EMF protection. I personally like and purchase EarthCalm products. I have a Quantum Cell which I have now placed on the back of my phone. I no longer get headaches or feel burning in my head after using the phone. I still do my best to use a headset. I wear a Scalar Resonator pendant designed for EMF protection to protect me at all times.
