If you've read the recent news from the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding cell phones, and have been feeling a little jittery over it, this angry little man I know had this to say...

 (If you didn't hear about it, read this first - Stuff: Cellphones a possible carcinogen, like coffee)

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Following the (annual, continuing, slow news week) regarding cell phones being “possibly carcinogenic”…

For those inevitable (I'd say BBQ, but the season is long past) conversations with family and friends who bring up the "Your phones are making a third arm grow out of my childrens right ear - You irradiating %&$@ers!”... Please follow these simple steps:

1) Stop slapping them for being so stupid
2) Ask if they own a DECT phone
3) Ask where the base station sits

For most people the responses will be as follows:

1) Ow!.. oh, thanks for stopping - that was starting to REALLY sting
2) Yes, of course
3) Erm... on my bedside table (some may claim the kitchen or other central point of the house - feel free to believe them, or return to your initial approach prior to invoking #1)

DECT emits the same kind of pulsed radiation as many cell phones, however, the base station is emitting radiation 24hrs a day regardless of if the handset is in use. A cell phone will tune its power up or down dependant on proximity to a cell site. DECT phones/base stations emit at a fixed level.

Ask them if they are more or less concerned at sleeping (or living) next to a permanently emitting 'cell site'

Return to pre-#1 interaction as necessary.

For the visual types (and anti-hypes) they may like to check out the following link as well: http://xkcd.com/radiation/

Ask questions. Check answers…
teach your friends and family to do the same

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