When the head of a respected cancer research institute warns his faculty and staff to limit their time on cell phones, I take notice.
Please note: I do not jump to the conclusion that cell phones cause brain cancer. But as Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, puts it: "We shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later." [For those who suspect that the cell phone manufacturers and telecoms would like to suppress damning research about cell phones, you may not be on crack. Click here.]
The risk of brain cancer from cell phone use is low, Dr. Herberman says. But there might be a connection between cell phone use and tumors that strike a salivary gland near the ear and the intersection of the ear and the brain. For that reason, Dr. Herberman believes that children should use cell phones only for emergencies --- and that it's best for adults not to press their cell phones against their heads.
To be as safe as you can be: Use a head set.
If you drive in any number of states and use a cell phone, you have no choice --- the law requires that drivers use "hands-free" cell phones.
But really, in the interest of your health a decade or two down the line, everyone who uses a cell should be using a head set.
Which one?
Broadly speaking, there are two flavors: wired and Bluetooth. Wired makes you look as if you're a receptionist --- remember Bobby Brown in that ancient video for My Prerogative? Bluetooth is wireless and makes you look as if you're talking to an invisible friend.
The hot seller is Bluetooth --- if, that is, your phone is Bluetooth-enabled. This technology sends short-range radio signals from your phone to the ear piece. (Yes, that means radiation, but less than you'd get from a cell phone pressed to your ear.) For your purposes, what matters most is comfort (how the thing feels on your ear). Then battery life (you want at least five hours, ideally nine). And then how easily you can master the controls in the head set that allow you to adjust the volume and begin/end calls without touching the phone itself.
My research suggests that you consider one of these Bluetooth devices:
Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Head Set
It's light and comfortable. It folds. Its battery is good for six hours of active use and as much asa hundred on standby. The controls aren't complicated. Sound quality is loud and clear. Amazon sells it for $42.99.
Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Head Set
For style, this is The One. Designed by Yves Behar and developed for use by government agents in unfavorable environments, it combines James Bond sleekness with admirable sound clarity. The controls are hidden, but not beyond the user's ability to find and manipulate. The USB cable that charges it is not standard; if you're the forgetful type, this is not for you. Amazon sells it for $69.99.
Or, if you prefer simpler technology, vote for the head set that connects to your phone. Best of breed:
Plantronics MX203S-X1S Stereo Mobile Head Set
Clear sound, simple controls. Also good for listening to music if your phone is MP3-enabled. Amazon.com sells it for $25.18.
Now you just have to convince your kids --- who will surely say, "But I only use my cell phone to text" --- that head sets aren't just for the aged and neurotic.
[cross-posted from HeadButler.com]