Caution calling - goodnews - cell phone usage and neuron damage - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, May, 2003

Yet another report in a series of worrisome, but inconclusive, studies suggests that cell phone use may cause neuron damage. Just two hours of exposure to radio signals from cell phones caused cells in three areas of rats' brains to die.

The three affected areas were the cortex, which plays a role in high-level mental function; the hippocampus, which is important in learning; and the basal ganglia, which plays a role in the experience of sensation.

Researchers say that the study doesn't conclusively demonstrate that cell phone use is harmful to humans, but they do recommend that people use hands-free devices to keep their cell phones as far from their brains as possible.

The scientists added in their report that the rise in the use of cell phones is a "huge biological experiment."

The report was published in the January 29, 2003 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives.