"Holding a mobile phone 2 centimeters from the ear lowers the level of radiation to zero," Ministry of Environmental Protection radiation division head Dr. Gelberg told the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee today. "We are updated by the World Health Organization (WHO) about its position on radiation and the best way to reduce radiation is with absorbent stickers, which distance the phone from the ear."
The Labor, Welfare and Health Committee is discussing mobile phone radiation following several reports, including by the WHO, warning about a possible link between extensive use of mobile phones and increased risk of cancer.
Prof. Sigal Sadetzky, head of the Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research at the Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer) told the committee that the Israeli government has never financed a study on radiation emissions from mobile phones. The Gertner Institute is investigating the issue. "It is completely absurd that the government does not allocate resources and budgets to research on the risk of radiation from mobile phones. Every study that I have conducted was financed by outside parties."
MK Rachel Adatto (Kadima), a doctor, said that given the uncertainty about the effects of radiation from mobile phones, preventative measures should be taken, including a ban on bringing mobile phones to schools. Her proposal was partly based on a study presented to the committee, which found that half of Israeli children and teenagers have mobile phones.
Sadetzky rejected the suggestion, saying, "Mobile phones should not be banned from educational institutions because the public won't stand for it. However, positive messages should be given on the issue, and pupils trained in the proper use of mobile phones."
The Knesset Research and Information Center presented figures to the committee on the extensive mobile phone use in Israel compared with other countries. Israel has 126 mobile phone subscribers per 100 people. There are 5.3 billion mobile phone subscribers worldwide, a seven-fold increase in ten years.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 21, 2011
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