There is a common belief that cell phones pose no serious health risks. After all, the FDA looked into the matter and found nothing untoward, and every shiny new phone comes with a comment in the handbook that states with confidence that there is no evidence that prolonged use of a cell phone causes any damage, proudly citing the World Health Organization as their source.

But that belief is changing as more data comes in. Even the FDA admits that most of the studies it has examined of cell phone use was only for a period of about three years, not long enough to provide definitive answers.

A Swedish analysis of 16 studies has found a doubling of risk for acoustic neuroma, a tumor which occurs where the ear meets the brain, but after ten years of cell phone use. And last year the American Journal of Epidemiology published data from Israel which found a 50 percent increase in cancer of the parotid, a gland near the ear, among regular cell phone users.

Research which analyze risks and also take into account a longer period appear to show that there are indeed risks for regular cell phone users. The problem is that the cell phone emits radiation from a small, localized electromagnetic field. This field is about the size of a basketball, so putting the phone to your ear over and over can create problems over time.

The good news is that you can continue to enjoy your cell phone, but make a few changes to prevent that electromagnetic field from coming in contact with your head.


  1. 1

    Use your speakerphone
    Using your speakerphone will go a long way in removing the problems associated with placing a cell phone close to your ear.

  2. 2

    Use a Bluetooth device:
    While a Bluetooth device also emits a tiny electromagnetic field, it is nowhere the strength of the one from the cell phone, so this is another way to go.

  3. 3

    Use a wired headset with a ferrite bead
    The ferrite bead is a clip you put on the wire of the headset which absorbs the radiation of the wire.

  4. 4

    Texting continues to grow in popularity and it keeps the phone a safe distance from your head.

  5. 5

    Limit your calls
    Many of us make unnecessary calls simply because we can. Reducing unnecessary calls will further reduce your expose to the aforementioned electromagnetic field.


Clearly, all of these tips effectively remove the cell phone from the proximity of your ear. Fortunately, that has been a trend for some time now anyway, what with the concerns of talking while driving and the general desire to keeps one’s hands.

Until further, definitive research says otherwise, perhaps it’s best to err on the side of caution and find ways to keep the cell phone away from the ear. Hopefully these simple tips will help.