Caution: Hand/Cell phone could increase chances of brain cancer

Over the years, I have been reading and hearing reports of the dangers of prolonged cellular/hand phone use to the human body especially the head area. I would like to share this news report:

Thermo-graphic image of a person's head before
and after a 15 minuted phone call.
Yellow and red areas indicate thermal heating.

31 May 2011: The World Health Organization (WHO) cited a review of studies today stating radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones may cause cancer in humans. They have issued a warning that radiation emissions from cell phones could be as dangererous as lead and engine exhaust.

The statement was issued in Lyon, France, on Tuesday by the International Agency for Research on Cancer after a weeklong meeting of experts. They reviewed possible links between cancer and the type of electromagnetic radiation found in cell phones, microwaves and radar.

The WHO group classified cell phones in category 2B, which is the same category as the pesticide DDT and gasoline engine exhaust.

Further long term studies might be needed for conclusive evidence. Cancerous tumors take decades to develop; therefore, experts say it's impossible to conclude cell phones have no long-term health risks. The studies conducted so far haven't tracked people for longer than about a decade.

Concerns have existed since the late 1990s that cell phones might be harmful to consumers’ health, the WHO agency said. The U.S. Federal Communication Commission has said devices with a specific absorption rate, the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body, within a set limit are safe.

“If you use it for texting(sms), or if you use a hands-free set for your voice calls, this is lowering exposure by at least an order of magnitude,” said Kurt Straif, head of the IARC Monographs Program. For regular use there is some evidence there is increased risk for brain cancer. Source here.

The hand phone is now an accepted part of life and we, especially people in Asia can't leave home without it. I guess the next best thing is to use the speaker mode when receiving or making a call OR else if you want to ensure privacy with your calls just use the old fashioned ear/microphone connection. Do not place the hand phone to your ears if at all possible.

Friends, you have been informed. Thank You.