The use of cell phones has increased dramatically in recent years, including among children and young adults. These phones put out radio frequency (RF) energy. Some scientists and public health officials believe RF energy may affect human health.

And now Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control of the California Department of Public Health has published a guidance document that lists some of the potential health concerns, and provides guidance on how people can reduce their exposure.  And certainly this may be an issue in future workers’ compensation claims based upon the effects of cell phone use.

The scientific community has not reached a consensus on the risks of cell phone use, but the California health department said research suggests long-term, extensive use may affect health. Although the science is still evolving, some laboratory experiments and human health studies have suggested the possibility that long-term, high use of cell phones may be linked to certain types of cancer and other health effects, including:

– brain cancer and tumors of the acoustic nerve (needed for hearing and maintaining balance) and salivary glands
– lower sperm counts and inactive or less mobile sperm
– headaches and effects on learning and memory, hearing, behavior, and sleep

The Guidance Document concludes that “These studies do not establish the link definitely, however, and scientists disagree about whether cell phones cause these health problems and how great the risks might be. This document is intended to provide guidance for those people who want to reduce their own and their families’ exposures to RF energy from cell phones, despite this uncertainty.”

“We know that simple steps, such as not keeping your phone in your pocket and moving it away from your bed at night, can help reduce exposure for both children and adults,” said Dr. Karen Smith, state public health officer. Smart phones emit radio frequency energy when they send signals to and receive them from cell towers.

About 95 percent of Americans own a cell phone, and 12 percent rely on their smart phones for everyday Internet access, the health department said. In addition, the average age when children get their first phone is now just 10, and a majority of young people keep their phones on or near them most of the day and while they sleep. “Children’s brains develop through the teenage years and may be more affected by cell phone use,” Smith said. “Parents should consider reducing the time their children use cell phones and encourage them to turn the devices off at night.”

Other tips for reducing exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phones: Keeping the phone away from the body, reducing cell phone use when the signal is weak, reducing the use of cell phones 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, and avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy because they may actually increase your exposure.