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Children's health at risk from mobile phone russian roulette9th November 2011Would you let your children play with a loaded gun? Silly question - or is it more relevant than you might think? Experts are now saying that giving a child a mobile phone could be like giving them a loaded gun. Fatal cancer is not the only thing that the radiation from a mobile phone could be responsible for in their future. Infertility, behaviour problems and dementia are also linked to mobile phone use according to a number of reputable scientific papers. Even the conservative International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified radiation such as that given off by mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic and advised 'pragmatic' measures to reduce exposure such as using hands-free kits. A 2008 Swedish study suggested children who use mobile phones are five times more likely to develop brain tumours. The UK department of Health say under 16s should only use a mobile phone in an emergency. British charity MobileWise says that children's use of mobile phones should be severely restricted to protect the health of the next generation. An estimated eight out of 10 youngsters aged between seven and 11 now have their own mobile and ownership is also spiralling among those even younger. So where has it all gone wrong? Children respond to pressure from their peer-group about what is the most 'must-have' accessory. This may be fine for the latest craze in toys, but it surely shouldn't apply to what is considered by some to be nothing less than a health time bomb. MobileWise director Vicky Fobel said: "We have a choice. We can either continue to ignore the mounting evidence of risks and do nothing until we have incontrovertible proof that mobiles can damage health or we can take note of this evidence, even if it is still inconclusive, and act to protect children before it is too late." In their report published yesterday, MobileWise say the Government is underplaying the potentially 'enormous' health risks - especially for children, whose smaller, thinner skulls are more susceptible to radiation. Dr Lennart Hardell, professor of oncology and cancer epidemiology at Orebro University Hospital, in Sweden, says "This timely report draws attention to the large body of evidence which links prolonged phone use to health hazards such as brain tumours." While further research is still needed, there is certainly enough evidence to warrant urgent action by public health agencies to protect the public, especially children, who are significantly more vulnerable." Neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill, chairman of the Brain Tumour Research Campaign, said: "We know that children are much more vulnerable to phone radiation." He also said the latency period for brain tumours is 30 years so it is possible the consequences of phone use are not yet apparent. Although the experts concede the links are not proven, they argue that 'schools, phone shops and the healthcare system' should be enlisted into a campaign to reduce mobile phone use. Ms Fobel said: "The UK Government is lagging behind other countries such as Canada, France and certain states in the US, which have tightened up their policy on mobile phones." David Spiegelhalter, professor of risk management at Cambridge University, said: 'Public health campaigns have a cost. With no evidence of current harm, then they can lessen trust in science and increase anxiety.' John Cooke, of the Mobile Operators Association, said: "Mobile phones in the UK are subject to rigorous safety tests and the overwhelming body of evidence does not show any adverse health effects." But he added: "More research is needed. Kids should be discouraged from using their mobile phones excessively and should text rather than call." For newspaper coverage of the story, please see the following links: If you feel that your child should have a mobile phone, you might want to consider reducing their exposure the the harmful radiation by buying them a BlocSock, or Airtube hands-free kit. A Christmas present to provide your child with a safety net they deserve. This page has links to content that requires a .pdf reader such as Archived News
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