Shield Yourself from a Cellphone Radiation Scams

8/17/2011

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Is exposure to cellphone emissions harmful? One study says it is, another says it is not. While research continues, consumers are left to determine for themselves if they should be concerned. Add to the mix scammers looking to make a quick buck by promoting shields that purportedly protect cellphone users from cancer-causing waves.

Scammers have a huge audience to target. As of 2010, there were more than 303 million subscribers to cellphone service in the U.S., according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. This is an increase from 110 million users in 2000. Globally, cellphone users are estimated to be 5 billion.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there is no scientific proof that the so-called shields significantly reduce exposure from cellphone emissions. In fact, it states that products that block only part of the phone, such as the earpiece, are totally ineffective because the entire phone emits electromagnetic waves. By interfering with the phone’s signal, phony shields may cause it to draw even more power and possibly emit more radiation. Furthermore, the shields may interfere with your cell phone’s reception.
 
Your BBB and the FTC advise consumers to consider these free options for limiting cellphone electromagnetic emissions:

Go hands free. Consider using a hands-free device or the speakerphone. For short conversations, text the message, which allows for a quick response and keeps the phone away from your head. 

Wait for a good signal. When you have a weak signal, your phone works harder, emitting more radiation. Phones also give off more radiation when transmitting than when receiving, so tilt the phone away from your head when talking, and bring it back to your ear when listening.

Shop around. Before buying a phone, research its specific absorption rate, which tells how much radiation the body absorbs while using the phone. Different phones emit different amounts of radiation. In the U.S., a phone’s SAR cannot exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram.

For more information on cell phone use and health issues, see the National Cancer Institute’s fact sheet at cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones

Start With Trust. For reliable consumer tips and information, visit the BBB or call 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.
 
About the BBB The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 123 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 4 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world. The BBB serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming topped 1.1 million instances of service to consumers in the past 12 months. These services include reliability reports on local companies and charities, access to companies that can be trusted by industry, help with dispute resolution, and trustworthy information on consumer and business topics. T Luanne Kadlub, BBB media relations manager, 970-488-2044 lkadlub@wynco.bbb.org
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