Oh ‘tis the age of decadence and technology. Our children these days enjoy spoils that we would never even have dreamed of in our younger days. When I was a girl I remember marveling at the sound of my own voice on a tape recorder (reel to reel!), and how amazed I was at the first time I saw color television. As a young woman I was endlessly impressed by the senior medics that wore pagers on their hips, and then envious at the appearance of the first cellular phones that were so large and cumbersome you would have needed a wheelbarrow to carry them around! So now I have my own hand phone, as do all my friends & neighbors, even the bakso man and the satay seller have one, and guess what……so do my kids. It’s an arguable point as to whether children should have their own phones, but from my point of view, on this island and in this day and age, I want to be able to contact my children 24/7 and visa versa, so the phones are here to stay. But is exposure to cell phone radiation safe for such young and developing brain cells? According to a British research group, until more is known about the potential risks of cell phone use, people should exercise caution in using the devices or giving them to young children.
A new report from the British National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) concludes that there’s no hard evidence that the health of the public is being harmed by cell phone use. However, they say uncertainties remain regarding the risks associated with long-term mobile phone use and advocate a “precautionary approach” until more is known about these potential risks. The fact is that the widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon and it is possible that adverse health effects could emerge after years of prolonged use.
The British report, which was released recently in London, is based on a review of the studies to date on cell phone safety and updates a previous report that was published in 2000 by the U.K. Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones and Health.
In addition to urging caution with cell phone use, the authors of the report place a priority on gathering more information about radiation exposure levels associated with cell phone use and their possible health effects. The group says particular attention should be given to learning how to minimize exposure of potentially vulnerable groups, such as children, and to investigate whether other groups may also be particularly sensitive to the effects of cell phone use.
Until those studies are complete, the report says children should use cell phones as little as possible. He recommends that children use text messaging instead because it reduces radiation exposure to the head.
The group also recommends that people and children use mobile phones with the lowest Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which measures the rate of energy absorption in body tissue. Cell phone users can find out this information from the manufacturer.
What should you do?
I don’t know about you but I have certainly noticed a strange buzz in my ear, and occasional headache if I have the cellular blower next to my ear for too long. The best ways to reduce SAR exposure would be to:
- Use text messaging where possible.
- Keep calls brief.
- Use a hands free cable or blue-tooth headset.
- Use loudspeaker mode.
- Choose a phone with a low SAR. If the manufacture
does not provide this there are websites that will
give SAR rates for most makes and models.
(www//http:c-net asia.com).
- Use a land line whenever possible.
- Limit your child’s monthly pulsa allowance.
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Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com”.
