At a time when more and more teenagers cannot live without a cell phone, which they acquire at a young age, scientists are sounding the alarm about its use, emphasizing that it is extremely harmful to health.
“In 2011, the World Health Organization presented the assessment of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, according to which the radiation from mobile phones is “probably carcinogenic to humans. It specifically referred to the increase in the use of mobile phones among children and adolescents,” says Mr. Christos Georgiou, professor of Biochemistry at the University of Patras, to “Kathimerini”.
Mr. Georgiou emphasizes that the use of mobile phones in children can be particularly harmful. “Children’s immune systems are still developing and have not been sufficiently developed. Also, most of the radiation is absorbed by the brain. However, the bones of a child’s skull are much thinner. Also, the size of a child’s head is smaller, so radiation penetrates it. For all these reasons, on December 2, 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended reducing the emission limits of mobile phone devices and antennas,” explains Mr. Georgiou.
“There are studies that record an increase in leukemia cases in children, following increased radiation exposure,” emphasizes Mr. Georgiou. In addition, French researchers from the University of Bordeaux published a study in the British journal “Occupational and Environmental Medicine,” according to which heavy mobile phone use (more than half an hour a day) increases the risk of brain cancer three times.
Professor Lowry Challis, former head of the British government-funded research program on the health effects of telecommunications, emphasizes that “under no circumstances should there be any use of mobile phones by children under 12. Children's immune systems are not developed. For example, we have seen that children are much more affected than adults by ultraviolet radiation.”.
Of course, there are studies with reassuring results, but as concern about the effects on sensitive childhood and adolescence is great, scientific research is escalating. Since September this year, a large three-year study began in 160 London schools, with the participation of 2,500 children aged 11-12.
Most scientists recommend avoiding cell phone use before the age of 12 and very limited use until the age of 16-17. The use of hands-free and other precautionary measures is considered absolutely essential.
Source: newsit.gr
