Teenagers talking on cell phones are a common sight on the streets of Vancouver
Statistics show that up to two-thirds of Canadian youth between the age of 12 and 19 own a cell phone, and use it regularly.
Now, an international group of scientists is calling on Canada and other countries to toughen up safety standards for cell phone use and their radio frequency emissions.
They point to the work of Swedish researchers who found kids who use cell phones before the age of 20 have a five times greater risk of developing brain cancer later in life.
"Because the skull is so thin and the head is relatively small, the radiation penetrates almost through the head,'' said Dr. David Carpenter of the University of Albany.
"In the adult, it only penetrates a smaller distance so the exposure for children is greater than that of an adult,'' he said.
Still, scientists remain sharply divided on the issue.
Other studies have shown little or no evidence that cell phone emissions cause cancer.
And Health Canada issued a statement last summer stating the agency sees no scientific reason to consider the use of cell phones unsafe.
"If there is a true risk, it's a pretty small one,'' said Dr. Ray Copes, Director of Environmental Health at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.
Dr. Copes says the findings need to be put into context.
And for everyone there are greater risks that come with cell phone use.
The number one risk in using cell phones is when users are behind the wheel - and that's something that no one should be doing.
Evidence is inconclusive that cell phone usage can cause brain cancer. Overall it suggests a very small increased risk but its magnitude can't be assessed at present.
It will take at least five to 10 more years before we'll know
Meanwhile, try to use your cell phone less often and text message. Another is to minimize your exposure to emissions is to use the speaker phone option, or a wired or Bluetooth headset.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low
