|
Why your kids could be in danger every time they answer the phone
17th October 2008
Before I get started today, I have to make one
thing clear...
What I'm about to tell you has NOTHING to do with
my computer losing three of my files last week
before going to sleep and refusing to wake up, no
matter how much I shouted at it.
And it has nothing to do with the fact that my
mobile phone seems to ring people up on its own
accord, usually at night time.
I honestly bear no grudges against technology.
The fact that it makes a fool of me at least once a
week is neither here nor there (though I dread the
day when every household has a robot butler. Mine
would be constantly pulling my trousers down in
public and saying 'I'm sorry sir, I thought you said
you were too hot?')...
So, now that we've cleared that up, let's move
on...
Is your satanic mobile phone making you ill?
Okay okay, I couldn't resist calling it satanic. But
that's the LAST time I'll let my personal feelings
interfere with something that really could be
harming your health each and every day...
According The British Association of
Dermatologists, mobile phones are causing an
outbreak of rashes on users cheeks and ears.
That's because the nickel coating on the casing
and buttons doesn't get on too well with our skin.
Apparently an allergy to nickel affects 30% of the
population, making it the most common contact
allergy in Britain.
Which means that quite a few of us can expect to
be at risk, especially if we use our mobiles for
most of our calls.
Now, as far as I've seen, this isn't a particularly
scary problem even though there is no cure for
nickel allergy, it's not fatal, just irritating and
unsightly.
|
So if you've suffered from a rash around your ears
or cheeks and it's left both you and your doctor
baffled, just stop using your mobile phone for a
bit and see if the problem clears up.
Because removing the source of the irritation is the
only way to stop it (I guess that's why Lara
sometimes suggests I go out for a bike ride or a
walk).
And to tackle the rash itself, try using that little
marvel vinegar to clear it up. Dilute one part
vinegar to 15 parts water, and dab it on the
affected area.
That should solve that little problem. But this next
one's a whole lot scarier...
Why we should think twice about our mobile
phones...
I know a lot of people who use their mobiles for all
of their calls. In fact some people don't even
bother with a land line at home anymore, because
it's cheaper to use a mobile.
And with the economy looking so bleak and
people sensibly watching the pennies, this doesn't
seem like a bad idea.
In fact it seems like a perfectly good idea.
Use one phone only, and save money.
Brilliant.
Except there are more and more question marks
against the safety of mobile phones.
And this latest study is the biggest of the lot...
According to The American Journal of
Epidemilogy, you could be 50% more likely to
develop a tumour in your salivory gland if you
constantly use your mobile phone.
|
The report was based on a study that took place in
Israel using 500 people who had developed the
condition. They compared their mobile phone
habits with the habits of a group of 1,300 healthy
people.
And the statistic they came up with was a 50%
increase in the likelihood of developing the cancer.
Fifty. Percent.
Now, this new study is bound to be rubbished by
the mobile phone giants. After all, there have been
dozens of studies into the effects of mobiles on
our health, and there's never been any link between
mobile phone usage and cancer before.
But this study was different...
As far as I can see, past studies have purely
concentrated on the effects of mobile phones on
the brain. This is the first time another area of the
body has been looked at.
And to my layman's eyes, the result is shocking,
even though the doctor who led the research -
Dr.Sadetzki - said far more tests needed to be
done before there was any real proof that mobile
phones were too blame.
At the moment, it's all just theory and suggestions.
But you know what...? When it comes to
something as important as my health, and my
children's health, that's good enough for me.
Especially when it's cancer we're talking about.
|
And even the good doctor seemed to agree on
this point, saying that until more evidence became
available, a 'precautionary' approach was best,
particularly when it comes to children's use of
mobile phones.
Bravo!
Luckily for me, my kids aren't yet old enough to be
clamouring for the latest mobile phone... but there
are thousands of children out there who seem to
talk on their mobiles for hours...
And hours... and hours...
And it really could be doing them harm. I mean, will
we see an epidemic of salivory gland cancer in
five or ten years time?
I hope not, but I wouldn't bet my house against it.
After all, when mobile phones are a multi-billion
pound industry, do you really think the companies
making all the money are going to tell the world
that their phones could be dangerous, and that it
might be better if you rationed your calls?
But if I had children who had mobiles, I'd do my
best to explain the possible health risks, and try
and curtail their use somehow.
Maybe I'd insist on pay-as-you-go, and only allow
a certain amount of credit a month. Or maybe I'd
stage a house break in and pretend thieves took it
- then go through the same rigmarole every three
days when the replacement phone was delivered.
Or maybe I'd just snatch the phone away and tell
them to get out in the fresh air and go and do
something.
To tell you the truth, I don't know what I'd do. And I
guess I won't know till I'm faced with the problem.
But I'd do SOMETHING.
Right. That's enough bleakness for one day I think
(and sorry if it's worrying, but I think these things
need to be aired, not buried away).
Have a great week, and I'll be back on Friday
with more news, views and tips to help keep you
healthy and happy!
|
|
|
|
