Radiation
Shields: Do They ‘Cell’ Consumers Short?
These days, it seems like everyone
has a cell phone. It’s no wonder that promoters
have begun to pitch shields as protection against the
radiation the phones emit. But the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency,
says current claims for the shields are "all talk."
According to the FTC, there is no
scientific proof that the so-called shields significantly
reduce exposure from electromagnetic emissions. In fact,
says the agency, products that block only the earpiece
— or another small portion of the phone —
are totally ineffective because the entire phone emits
electromagnetic waves. What’s more, these shields
may interfere with the phone’s signal, cause it
to draw even more power to communicate with the base
station, and possibly emit more radiation.
Studies are ongoing about any relationship
between the emissions from cell phones and health problems.
Nevertheless, for cell phone users
who want to limit their exposure to the electromagnetic
emissions from their phones, the FTC suggests limiting
your cell phone use to short conversations; increasing
the distance between your antenna and your head by using
a hands free set or a car phone with the antenna outside
the car; or avoiding using cell phones where the signal
is poor.
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