By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer
Many things are bad for us, but sometimes we don't realize it until it's too late.
Cigarettes are bad for your health. Everyone knows that. However, it was not always common knowledge that smoking was a risky behavior. In fact, in the early days of television, the evening news was sponsored by tobacco and anchors actually smoked on the air.
All your favorite stars were lighting up -- Lucy loved to smoke, John Wayne was "smokin' em for 20 years" and even the Flintstones were sponsored by big tobacco. That's right, the Flintstones were smokers. But no one knew how dangerous cigarettes were over time. Eventually, lung cancer killed the Duke and tobacco companies were banned from the medium they helped build.
It seems obvious that inhaling smoke would be bad for you, but if it took countless studies and numerous years to get regulations and age restrictions on something clearly unhealthy, how long would it take for something more subtly dangerous?
Now, concerns have been raised about the hazards of cell phone radiation. With no long-term knowledge of the effects that the radiofrequency radiation cell phones produce available, we are left to wonder if there will be a price to pay down the road.
Most research suggests that cell phones don't pose a serious health threat to increase your chances of cancer, but most of these studies are also done by cell phone manufacturers. Time is necessary to see the outcome of long-term exposure because a brain tumor can stay latent for 10 or 15 years.
It may be safe for an adult to talk on their cell phone for hours, but it's unclear as to how this may affect the brain of a still developing young child.
"We haven't had long-term exposure with kids," warns Michael Thun, vice president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society "We cannot say with 100% certainty that it is safe. It is just not clear yet."
So consider what you're doing now and how it may affect your life later. Whether or not cell phones increase your risk of brain cancer or other health issues will not be known until more time passes, but it's safe to say that limiting your minutes may do more than just keeping your bill down.
Do you think cell phones are dangerous? Would you cut down on using yours? Comment below and let us know.
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Comment: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:43:00 PM - 
WhyOhWhy said...
I believe that cell phones will start to show its effect in the future.
I was told emphatically by a mobile engineer that the radiation is too low but he could not explain why my hip hurts if I attach the phone in my hip area or why my head hurts after a little while of use.
Comment: Friday, August 15, 2008 6:22:00 AM - 
said...
This article really concerns me. In my household we all have a cell phone and they are used frequently.
My12 and 16 year old daughters use them more frequently then myself. God forbid it anything should happen to them. I hope more studies are conducted to look into the long term effects of cell phone use before its too late.
Comment: Friday, August 15, 2008 7:30:00 AM - said...
I've spoken to several "informed" people and in 10 -15 years people WILL be paying a price for cell phone use. Personally they have become a nuisance. You cannot go anywhere without having to listen to someones idiotic conversation. I use mine for EMERGENCY ONLY. I fear the future health consequences which we don't know enough about now, but will in the near future. Folks, be carefuil!
Comment: Friday, August 15, 2008 8:36:00 AM - said...
I have a very strong feeling, like smoking, it will come out how dangerous cell phones can be, especially for young chldren. But the testing should be done by a neutral source, not cell phone companies. Let's hope that happens very soonso we can save families a great deal of grief!!!
Comment: Friday, August 15, 2008 10:45:00 AM - said...
If there really isn't a concern of radiation, etc, then why is it that when you put a cellphone near a radio it begins to make alot of static/noise ??
Comment: Friday, August 15, 2008 11:52:00 AM - said...
There is a you tube video that shows cell phones put together make a kernal pop into popcorn when all ringing at the same time.
Comment: Monday, August 25, 2008 9:26:00 AM - said...
I am a 50 year old working, bright, articulate woman who has never owned a cell phone and will probably never own one. My theory is if I want anyone to know where I am or how to get ahold of me, I will tell them. If I don't want them to know, I won't tell them. Simple.
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:11:00 AM - said...
All anyone needs to do is google "cell phones and cancer" and they will see what epidemologists and oncologists have to say about it. Cell phones emit huge amounts of radiation which causes brain cells to go mutant - cancer.
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:27:00 AM - said...
I think cellphones do have risk, I have acne spots on the right side of my face,I have had three different topical cortisone meds for these spots,they are on my jawline and a spot under my ear,it falls in synch with the outline of my cell phone. I am over 50,and my physician thinks it may also be menopausal,however I am a xray technologist,I think there could be some rad poisining.
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:03:00 AM - Sunil Kr said...
Unlike smoking which we can do well without, cellphones have become a type of necessary appendage to our ears.
I think cellphone manufacturer should lay emphasis on developing cellphones that emit low radiation levels.
You can live without cigarettes, but not without a cellphone
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:42:00 AM - said...
Oh please, not the you tube popcorn video again! It is FAKE. I wouldn't be surprised to wake up in the future and find that cell phone use is deemed dangerous, but not because it can pop popcorn.
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:00:00 PM - said...
Unfortunately my job REQUIRES the use of a cell phone. I'd like to know what will happen if I or any of my colleagues should develop brain cancer in the future?? Would there be any ramifications for the employer? Should I quit my job because of the possibility? I have requested that my employer at least provide bluetooth headsets to decrease the amount of time the phone is glued to the ear.
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:22:00 PM - said...
I think the future will show how dangerous cell phones are. I am very concerned about children using them at a young age. We could be in for a terrible epidemic of brain cancer in younger adults due to the use of cell phones when they were younger.Parents need to restrict their children from using them. Yeah I know how difficult that is, but if all parents would do this, it would make it easier on the children,because they would all not be using them anymore. And of course educating them to the danger of the cell phones.Sincerely, Marty O.
Comment: Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:28:00 PM - said...
Im 14 and had a cell phone for a while now and im just wondering, will texting cause brain cancer in the future? I rarely put it up to my ear to talk on it and when i do talk on it, it is usualy on speaker phone.
Comment: Friday, August 29, 2008 8:58:00 AM - said...
I believe that cell phone use will show effects of increased brain tumors and cancer. And unfortunately, those who believe the blue tooth helps...think about it...if radiation is emitted, it is still in contact or near your brain. I definitely think children should not use them if radiation is an issue. The cells are still forming and regenerating in young people. It would be tragic.
Comment: Saturday, August 30, 2008 10:22:00 AM - said...
I only use my cell phone when absolutely necessary and it really bothers me to see everyone with one in their ear all the time. Even if they aren't a cancer threat they certainly are a threat if they are used while driving and even walking because your attention is diverted from what you are doing.
Comment: Saturday, August 30, 2008 5:25:00 PM - said...
A degree in rocket science is not necessary to understand that manufacturers/sellers of cell phones will not publish a truth that would impact their bottom line. With this in mind, I limit severely my use of this convenience.
The cigarette analogy is appropriate, and the executives who are telling the public the devices are safe are hoping the fallout is far enough down the road that they won't have to cope with it. Like cigarettes, the price for long-term over-indulgence will be heavy.
Comment: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 1:36:00 PM - said...
Sunil -- you are probably the person I see driving their car, not paying attention to the road, because they are talking on their cellphone! You are probably also the person who goes into a store or a bank and doesn't give the person behind the counter the courtesy of your full attention while they have to listen to you drone on about your kids, etc. as you talk loudly into the cellphone attached to your ear! You also must be the person in a crowded train talking on your cellphone so loud that you infringe on other people's space. GET THE PHONE OFF YOUR EAR AND BECOME A REAL PERSON. Enough already, I am done!
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