TXTpower warns of cellphone health risks

THE cellphone you’re using may be hazardous to your health.

So warned consumer group TXTpower, whose members have raised the alarm after reports and studies showing the health risks pose by the frequent use of cellphones.

In an interview, TXTpower spokesperson Anthony Ian Cruz cited several studies here and abroad of the detrimental effects of the electromagnetic field and electromagnetic radiation emitted by cellphones.

Based on studies, Cruz said, prolonged exposure to these dangerous microwave radiations might result in brain cancer and other bodily tumors.

In some cases, experts claimed overexposure to cellular phone radiation resulted to poor sperm reproduction and even sterility, he said.

“Most of these studies remain inconclusive but there is absolutely no harm in making the public aware about these dangers. One may not know it but the gadgets we keep closely to our selves may cause problems in the future,” he added.

Children, students and young adults are likewise warned to give themselves some kind of protection from these harmful radiation.

Since these radiowaves affect some sectors of the brain, they might cause nausea and other illnesses related to memory and other brain functions, Cruz pointed out.

TXTPower is an organization of cellphone users that aims to empower Filipinos both as consumers and as citizens.

Cruz further explained that ensuring the safety of these radioactive gadgets is the primary concern of the government, particularly the National Telecommunications Commission.

“TXTpower considers safety from cellphone use as one of its primary concerns but because the government and not us consumers are duty bound to protect the public, the NTC must not be remiss in its job and it must work double time in ensuring that the cellular units being sold around have passed the required safety standards,” Cruz said.

He disclosed that the NTC has a unit that tests the radiation ratings of each handset sold in the market. By: Melnie Ragasa-Jimena Journal online