Can Mobile Phones cause cancer?

 With such an enormous number of mobile phone users around the world, any potential side effects of long term use could become major public health concerns
 Although there is currently no conclusive evidence to suggest a direct link between mobile phone usage and cancer, there are gaps in our knowledge of the potential long term health effects
 We do however know that mobile phones emit radiofrequency radiation, which is a form of non-ionising radiation
 Non-ionising radiation is not considered to cause cancer, however it can cause molecules to vibrate and heat up, which over long periods of time may cause adverse health effects such as changes in brain nerve cells
 Read our tips for reducing your exposure at the end of this email

Environmental Impacts

 On average, mobile phones are replaced once every 12 months, contributing to the 50 million tonnes of e-Waste produced annually
 Some of the potentially harmful substances found in mobiles include chromium, brominated flame retardants, lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel and lithium, some of which are carcinogenic
 With the increasing volume of e-Waste being produced, developed nations are exporting their waste to third world countries like Africa, where there are few facilities to safely dispose of it
 Read our tips for reducing your phone’s eco impact at the end of this email

COME CLEAN

Minimise Your Exposure to mobile phone radiation

 Mobile phone usage, especially in children and teenagers, should be limited as much as possible, as more heat can penetrate their developing brain due to reduced skull thickness
 Always try and use a landline if possible, and keep mobile phone calls short
 Having your mobile at least 20cm from your body by using speakerphone or hands-free kits reduces the amount of radiation absorbed by the body by up to 98%
 Choose a mobile phone that has a low radiation level (see http://www.ewg.org/project/2009cellphone/cellphoneradiation.php for more information)
 Don’t carry your mobile phone close to your body when it is switched on

Reduce your phones environmental footprint

 Ask yourself..do I really need a new phone? Look after the one you have, it is not a fashion accessory!

 Recycle your phone; Over 90% of the materials found in mobile phones can be recycled and used to make things like new batteries, jewellery, plastics, fence posts and various metal products (see http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/how_recycling_works for more details)COME CLEAN