Cell phone use makes health concerns onto attention

Tag: Cell Phone Cables

Toronto Public Health is advising parents to make sure their children take simple precautions to minimize exposure to radiofrequency (RF) waves if they use a cell phone.

Cell phone use has risen consistently in the last decade in Canada, health officials describe. In particular, the number of children who use cell phones has increased greatly. A new report responds to the Board of Health's request for further information on the use of cell phones by children and youth and their consequent exposure.

However, mobile phone providers, citing the authority of the World Health Organization, maintain the technology poses no health risks and that radiation from cellphones falls well below government safety guidelines. The Board of Health also cites the World Health Organization (WHO), and suggestions to limit the length of phone calls, or using "hands-free" devices like headsets or ear phones, to keep the cell phone away from the head and body.

There are currently no specific Canadian recommendations with regard to cell phone use by children. Some jurisdictions in Europe recommend that children decrease their exposure to RF by strictly limiting their use of cellular phones and some have strongly recommended that use be avoided completely.

The Toronto Board of Health and Toronto City Council recently endorsed a Prudent Avoidance Policy that will help ensure that public exposure to radiofrequencies (RFs) from cell phone towers is 100 times below the current Health Canada exposure standard known as Safety Code 6.