a few months ago, i linked to an article that referenced potential dangers related to cell phone use.

the concerns are still around, it seems, with the head of the university of pittsburgh’s cancer institute strongly encouraging faculty and staff to limit their children’s cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer associated with long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

In the memo he sent to about 3,000 faculty and staff Wednesday, [Dr. Ronald B. Herberman] says children should use cell phones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing.

Adults should keep the phone away from the head and use the speakerphone or a wireless headset, he says. He even warns against using cell phones in public places like a bus because it exposes others to the phone’s electromagnetic fields.

The issue that concerns some scientists - though nowhere near a consensus - is electromagnetic radiation, especially its possible effects on children. It is not a major topic in conferences of brain specialists.

it’s an interesting question: do you wait around to discover any deleterious effects of a particular thing (cell phones, dredging, chrysotile asbestos), or do you change your patterns of use based on what might happen? i would expect the answer to differ between individuals and governments.