Tech Analyst Jeff Kagan on CNBC: Cellphones Cause Brain Cancer Says WHO

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World Health Organization Issues Dire Warning

Atlanta, GA, June 1, 2011 — Tech analyst Jeff Kagan comments on the World Health Organization claims that wireless devices can cause brain cancer on “The Kudlow Report” on CNBC May 31, 2011.

Here is a link to the story on CBNC http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000025043

This is an important story, but it is just another in a long line of similar stories. It seems these type reports come out on a regular basis. The cell phone industry counters, as expected. Of course, this is their business. They don’t want to slow down their growth.

Is this a real problem or not? Should we be concerned or not? The truth is we just don’t know yet. And we may not know for another ten or twenty years. At that point if there is nothing to worry about we will all be happy. However if there is something to be concerned with, will it be too late?

Two examples. Remember the Marlboro cigarette cowboy from years ago. Years later we saw that same cowboy dying of cancer and pleading with us not to smoke. We paid little attention to cigarettes causing cancer until stories like that.

On the other hand remember the saccharin cancer scare from years ago. It hurt workers, investors and the companies that were in that field. Years later I remember reading there was no real problem. However the entire sector was flattened.

So what is the truth with wireless and cancer? The truth is no one really knows.

Will this have an impact on the wireless industry? I don’t think so. We have had many similar stories over the last decade and none of them have hurt the industry. I see the wireless handset makers and networks continuing their rapid growth. It will take real illness with a proven link to impact growth.

What should we do to protect ourselves just in case? Use common sense. Use the speakerphone portion instead of putting the device up to your head. Or use an earpiece with a cord. Cordless earpieces may have the same potential problem. Check the signal strength. When the signal is strong the phone works less. When the signal is weak the phone must kick itself into high gear and that may be more dangerous to our health.

Remember there have been many similar stories over the last decade and according to the CNBC interview there has not been an increase in brain cancer. On the other hand we just don’t yet know.