By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-03-03 18:04:51 | Word Count: 664
A new study has been released from the National Institute of Health (NIH) that proves that extended cellphone use does cause increased brain activity. The researchers, used positron emission tomography scans (PET) to quantify glucose metabolism in the brain. Forty-seven participants took part in the testing. A cell phone was placed at each ear. While one fifty minute scan took place, the cellphones remained in an off state. During the second fifty minute scan, the cell phone at the right side received a call that emitted a prerecorded message. During both scans, when the phones were on or off, there was a 7 percent increase in glucose metabolism at the area of the brain closet to the cell phone antenna.
Researchers don’t quite know whether or not these findings indicate any harm or benefit associated with cellphone use. What they can say is that there is a measurable effect that can’t be denied anymore. The quality and credibility of the researchers and their methods is sure to make the health and consumer world take notice.
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For years, people have wondered whether or not using a cellphone had any negative health effects. Until now, no study of this magnitude has been able to answer that question. The looming question at the core of everyone’s concerns is if cellphone use is linked to cancer. Many scientists contend that there is no correlation between the radiation produced by cellphones and cancerous cell generation. The released study does not provide any proof or disproof of these claims. The study only shows that there is an effect. It remains to be seen if cancer has anything to do with cell phone radiation.
Some people don’t need a study to tell them that cell phones can be harmful. As a precautionary method some people opt not to use a cell phone at all. For cellphone users with concerns, many have chosen to use headsets of varying forms. People don’t want to take the risk even if there is no proven connection. This is understandable because cellphones are a relatively new technology. Since cellphones have become more affordable more people have been able to incorporate them into their everyday lives.
What I am interested in is the study that will be carried out and released in the years to come. I am curious to find out if this will be a fiasco similar to what took place with the tobacco industry a few years ago. If and when cancer is proven to be related to cellphone use, will there be an investigation into phone manufacturers that may have known of the risks? Will thousands of people be filing lawsuits and wrongful death claims? Who will be responsible? While I sincerely hope that cancer has nothing to do with cellphones, I am not too optimistic. I can’t fathom that it is safe to hold something close to your brain that has even the smallest amount of radiation for an extended period of time. I think the NIH is just scratching the surface. I’ll brace myself for the follow-up.
