Interpreting the research on cell phone hazards can be a formidable task. Unless you have a background in research methods and medicine, you are likely to find the findings hard to evaluate. Moreover, when it comes to research on the link between cell phone radiation and poor health outcomes, the competing claims can make the matter even more difficult to decipher.

Understanding What You Read

In many ways, the scientific landscape should be familiar to the average person. Much like the drug company battles that crowd the newspaper headlines each day, the cellular phone industry has become a hotbed for controversy and debate. For every study demonstrating a link between cell phone radiation and serious illness, there are two more indicating just the opposite.

What's a well-meaning consumer to do? Well, to begin with, you must be a discerning research reviewer. Many of the studies with the biggest tag lines are the very ones with flawed designs. A poorly constructed study can limit the validity and meaning of the findings it produces. Read with a critical eye, and look for biases or flaws that might sway study findings. Also consider whether the research was published in a peer-reviewed journal or whether it was conducted in-house by a cell phone company and then published on the Internet.

Finally, bear in mind that the real pattern of findings is unlikely to be clear for many years to come. Good, reliable studies take years to design and execute. They require patience, but they are worth the wait. As you educate yourself about potential health risks associated with your phone, be sure to learn about the growing number of devices that can be used to combat these risks (real or perceived). Such phone accessories are easy to use and can remove all of the worry associated with using your phone.