Drive and chat at your own risk

2008-07-29 11:04

Birgit Ottermann

Cape Town - The head of research at the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) on Friday cautioned against using cellphones while driving, as the devices give off more radiation in a vehicle.

"Apart from the obvious driving hazard, cellphones use more energy in a car, because of the cage effect. The result is far more radiation. As a rule, I switch off my cellphone whenever I drive," Dr Carl Albrecht told News24.

The caution follows the ongoing debate on the use of cellphones and the risk of cancer - last week the head of a leading cancer research institute in the US warned his staff to limit their use of cellphones because of the possible risk of cancer.

Dr Ronald B Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, issued a memo to about 3 000 faculty and staff, basing his alarm on early unpublished data on cellphones and cancer, the Associated Press reported.

Effects on children

The issue that concerns some scientists is electromagnetic radiation, especially its possible effects on children.

Though Herberman's warning is contrary to numerous studies that did not find a link between cancer and cellphone use, his advice has raised concern and confusion among many cellphone users.

Is it all just scare-mongering or should we heed the warnings?

According to Herberman it simply takes too long to get answers from science around cellphones and cancer, and people should take action now - especially when it comes to children.

"Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," Herberman said.

'Cellphone industry still young'

Albrecht agrees with Herberman.

"The cellphone industry is still young and we don't have much information on the consequences of the longterm use of cellphones yet. Therefore, the general rule for me is still to use cellphones as little as possible," he told News24.

"Cansa has maintained a policy for many years to use cellphones with caution, especially among children, while research is ongoing as to the possible links between cellphone use and cancer.

"We are monitoring the research to keep up the latest developments but at this stage there is not enough evidence to categorically link the use of cellphones with cancer," he added.

Fully automatic cellular networks were first introduced in the early to mid 1980s when the Nordic Mobile Telephone went on line in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in 1981.

In South Africa, 1994 was not just the year the country celebrated the birth of democracy, but also the introduction of its first two cellular networks. Since then, the SA cellphone industry has grown into a massive, multi-billion rand business.

Apart from the appeal of keeping up with the newest technology and gadgets, cellphones have also become a vital communication tool for South Africans, especially in rural areas and townships, as well as a safeguard for people in emergency situations like crime and accidents.

Cellphones and cigarettes

Albrecht made an interesting comparison between the use of cellphones and smoking. "Fifty years ago, no one believed it was unhealthy to smoke or that it could cause cancer. However, today all the research and case studies speak for themselves. It could be the same case with cellphones. Therefore, it's really better to be safe than sorry."

Companies investing in the cellphone industry can also sow a lot of doubt, he believes. "They will do research to prove that cellphones don't cause cancer."

"Until an authoritative agency like the World Health Organisation, for example, makes a statement and has conclusive evidence, people will not be convinced."

Children could be affected far worse than adults by cellphones, because their brains are still developing and because of their natural sociological need to spend more time on the phone, Albrecht said.

"Therefore it is especially important to limit their exposure to cellphones and electromagnetic radiation. People must also learn to budget the use of their cellphones," he said. "If you know you're going to make a long phone call, rather use a landline. And, if you have to use the cellphone a lot for business, invest in a hands free kit. At least you won't hold your phone directly next to your head," he adds.

Cellphone techniques

In the meantime, it is good to learn cellphone technique. Cansa suggests the following precautionary measures:

Use cellphones only when necessary

Use cellphones sparingly

Make cellphone calls as short as possible

If a call is longer than 5 minutes alternate between the left and right side of the head

Use a hands-free attachment in the car.

- News24