California takes new approach on phone concerns

Guidelines warn of risk despite lack of solid research

In December, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released new guidelines which offered suggestions to reduce one’s exposure to radiation from cellphones. The agency notes that the science is still evolving, but there are concerns regarding long-term, high-use exposure to the energy emitted by cellphones, according to a report in the San Diego Union Tribune.

According to the Union Tribune report, “While the CDPH admits the scientific community doesn’t necessarily agree with it on the risks of using a cellphone, it still wanted to issue some guidance based on current research.”

It’s an interesting approach for a public health agency to take a stance on a situation without necessarily having the science to back it up. Is it a preventative measure, a “why risk it” approach, or a bit of fear-mongering?

The press release by the CDPH notes, “Cellphones emit radio frequency energy when they send and receive signals to and from cell towers, and some scientists and public health officials believe this energy may impact human health,” and raised concerns specifically about children who are using the devices more frequently. The tips offered by the CDPH include the following: • Keeping the phone away from the body • Reducing cellphone use when the signal is weak • Reducing the use of cellphones to stream audio or video, or to download or upload large files • Keeping the phone away from the bed at night • Removing headsets when not on a call • Avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy. These products may actually increase your exposure.

Now, one can make an argument to do some of these actions anyway. For example, keeping your phone away from your bed at night will help you have an undisturbed night of sleep. And removing headsets when not on a call is also a good idea because 1) they look silly and 2) we are not cyborgs in need of permanent attachment to our devices.

And using your phone to stream or download large chunks of data can really increase one’s cellphone bill, depending on one’s plan.

So there is some common sense value to the CDPH’s suggestions.

Still, the San Diego Union Tribune report notes that, “The notion that cellphones are a health risk has been mostly dismissed by science journals for years.”

The CDPH has the right and the ability to issue guidelines that it thinks are important to California communities. But it’s interesting that it would write such guidelines on a subject that doesn’t seem to have much scientific backing.

What do you think readers? Do the guidelines make sense, or should there be more scientific proof before issuing such guidelines?

Let us know! Share your thoughts online at www. YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.

We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community of Yuma for your generous support of our Republican Women’s Club to purchase 595 wreaths for our National Day of Wreaths Across America. It was wonderful for so many people to attend our two memorial services at Desert Lawn Memorial Park and Sunset Vista Cemetery in the Foothills. As the wreaths were placed by attendees on the graves of veterans, their names were read and appreciation expressed for having so nobly served our great country.

Kudos to The Sun for excellent coverage both before and after the event, which took place on a beautiful Saturday, Dec. 16.

Also many thanks to those participating organizations including the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Patriot Guard Riders, Vietnam Veterans, Submarine Naval Group, Red White and Blue Support Group, American Legion and bugler, and Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. And to our clergy, Chaplain Major Ronald Beltz from Yuma Proving Ground and Father John Friel from St. John Neuman Catholic Church in the Foothills. Also Deputy Mayor Gary Knight, County Supervisor Russ McCloud, bagpiper Jeremy Tyree and national anthem singer Wendy McKay for their participation.

A special thank you goes out to the staff at Desert Lawn Memorial Park and Sunset Vista Cemetery for the help and assistance.

Just recently I spent seven weeks in our Yuma Regional Medical Center hospital. The care and kindness I received from the nurses and staff on the fifth floor was fantastic. I think I fell in love at least a dozen times.

Thank you all.

The Yuma Camera Club would like to extend our most grateful thanks for all of you who donated those beautiful and colorful socks! At the end of the collection period, the Yuma Camera Club AND many of you out there who heard our plea, had collected over 652 pairs of socks which were donated to the Palm View Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and to the Crossroads Mission. At both entities are people who really need care and love, most who haven’t a family member to care for them or even just someone to CARE! So this little bit of cheer, small as it is, maybe just enough to lift the spirits of those who really need it. Our most grateful thanks also goes to Kristina Ochoa, Manager of Round Table Pizza at 16th and B, for her wonderful help in collecting these socks; to the Yuma Sun for advertising; and to Jennifer Blackwell at Z93 Radio for her help in getting the message out there. So, thanks Yuma! We will do it again next year so start collecting now (especially since the sales are going to be wonderful…)!

For the parade of lights, at 2 and 4 p.m., people started filling the sidewalk with chairs. The crowd was well-behaved. The night was nice, the music was good, and the parade was the best I’d ever seen in Yuma. The lights were great. Gadsden Band was at the end, they’re the best, we’re proud of each as well as the managers. It was a wonderful evening — thanks to all who were in the parade.