Recently, and interesting story published by the Wall Street Journal came to our attention, which discussed the prospect of adding safety warnings to mobile phones. For the vast majority of us, these devices are an essential item that we use and carry with us every day, which makes it rather worrying to think that we may be unknowingly putting ourselves at risk without being provided with proper instructions.
Just recently, MP's voted for a law which states that all cigarettes in England should be sold in standardised packaging with health warnings; a proposal that easily won an overwhelming majority. This of course, seems like common sense to most of us, as we are well aware of the serious health risks posed by smoking. It would, however, be careless to forget that this was once a normal practice amongst former generations, who were not as well-educated on the risks of smoking as we are today. In past eras, it would have been as normal to see someone holding a cigarette in a public place, as it now is to see someone scrolling through their smart phone, which could be an unsettling thought if the possible risks attached to phones are proven.
With possible links to cancer and infertility, it's more than fair to say that these devices are not completely without risk, so why is action not being taken? The issue with subject of mobile phone safety, comes from the fact that there is simply not enough information available to properly evaluate the risks, and therefore provide accurate warnings. With so many health scares and warnings dominating the news, it's easy to see why health professionals would be hesitant to make bold statements about the health risks of mobile phones, but this doesn't distract from the fact that we should have a right to make an informed decision about our chosen lifestyle.
We know the health risk of consuming certain foods or being exposed to certain substances, so doesn't it also stand to reason that we should be properly advised on a device that many of use on a frequent basis? While the risks themselves may not be clear, it is clear that there are risks involved with exposure to radio-frequency; a possible side-effect that shouldn't be ignored by technology companies, or consumers. Whatever your opinion about the severity of these risks may be, it's clear that action must be taken by all involved to ensure that an entire generation is not living in ignorance.
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