Jul 24, 2008 1:39 pm US/Eastern
Doctor: Health Risks Possible With Cell Phone Use
PITTSBURGH (CBS News) ―
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There is a new advisory about the possible health dangers associated with cell phone use.
The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer.
The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don't find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Herberman is basing his alarm on early unpublished data. He says it takes too long to get answers from science and he believes 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.
According to Dr. Herberman, the length of cell phone conversations should be limited or phones should be kept away from the head by using a headset or a speaker phone.
No other major academic cancer research institutions have sounded such an alarm about cell phone use. But Herberman's advice is sure to raise concern among many cell phone users and especially parents.
Dr. Herberman also says children should never use cell phones except in emergencies.
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