As a public service, I have written 12 (including this article) articles in the past few months about cell phones and our health. The series of articles on cell phones I have been writing deal with safeguards and precautions that we, cell phone users should follow to minimize health risks.

Here are some tips on the use of cell phones to minimize health risks:

• Radiation is energy that is transmitted in the form of rays, waves, or particles. The human body is exposed to various types of radiation which may be harmful or not to our body. The radiation emitted by cell phones is known as electromagnetic radiation. Our human body is exposed to radiation while making or receiving calls.

• We must always remember that so long as the cell phone is turned on, the cell phone gives off radiation even if the cell phone is not actually being used. Yes, as long as our cell phone is on, it emits radiation intermittently.

• Research suggests that wearing a cell phone on one’s hip may weaken one’s bone in the area of one’s pelvis.

• Researches show that men who carry their cell phones attached to their belts for an average of 15 hours a day, for about 6 years will find that their bone mineral density to be lower on the side of the pelvis where the mobile phones are being carried. Or worse, the fertility of the men who carry their cell phones on their belts in close proximity of their reproductive organs are affected. More particularly, affecting the quality and mobility of their sperm and/or their sperm count.

• Research shows that other sensitive organs of the body including the liver, kidneys, colon, and bladder are also affected by cell phone radiation.

• Since children are far more vulnerable to cell phone radiation than adults, children should never use cell phones or any wireless device of any kind. If this is not possible, at least limit the usage of cell phones by children. Children have thinner skull bones than adults thus children are more susceptible to greater penetration of radiation. Considering too, that the immune systems of children are not also as well developed as adults.

• Cell phones should be turned off more often. Reserving the use of cell phones for emergencies or important matters.

• As much as possible, we should use land lines at home and at work rather than use our cell phones to minimize our exposure to cell phone radiation.

• Studies show that using a cell phone for 10 years or more approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the same side of the head where the cell phone is typically held.

• Many do not know that when one is in the rural area or in an elevator or a car, where the cell phone uses more power, the brain will get a greater exposure from the higher power required in these instances.

• People can increase their resistance to cell phone radiation damage by taking increased dosage of antioxidants, melatonin, Vitamins B, C, E, and folic acid as these are natural oxidative stress fighters.

No doubt about it - the cell phone is a fabulous invention. In today’s lifestyle, we can no longer do without cell phones. But knowing that excessive use of the cell phones is dangerous and in fact could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos because of radiation, we should limit our use of them wherever possible. We should take prudent and simple precautionary measures in the use of cell phones in a way that is most compatible with preserving our health.

Have a joyful day!