Director of UPCI announces possible consequence of long-term cell phone use

The director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UPMC Cancer center plans to warn approximately 3,000 faculty and staff about the possible health risks associated with cell phone use.

Dr. Ronald Herberman said long-term cell phone use can potentially cause brain cancer.

"The main thing that we're concerned about are the electromagnetic waves," said Dr. Herberman. "There's indication that if you hold a cell phone to your ear that waves penetrate the skull and go into your brain."

Dr. Herberman said he understood how vital cell phones are to many people today, however he advised to limit time on cell phones or keep cell phones away from the ear by using a speaker phone, a head set, or by using text messaging instead.

Although other domestic research organizations such as the American Cancer Society do not acknowledge the effects because there is no definitive link, Dr. Herberman said some research organizations abroad have recently issued similar advisories.