COSA 2015* Sponsored by:
COSA Breakfast session
Speaker: Leeka Kheifets
Mobile phones were first marketed for commercial use some thirty years ago, and while initially, cell phone use was uncommon, in the decades that followed mobile phones evolved into an everyday necessity for much of the world’s population. They are no longer simple devices for voice calls, but rather, they affect nearly every aspect of human life and culture. They have become a pervasive part of our society, and between 2000 and 2014, the number of active mobile phone subscriptions increased from 700 million to nearly 7 billion globally. Advances in mobile phone technology and availability have brought with them many advantages, including greater access to communication, information, and economic development and an astonishing array of resources to address almost any need or interest.
While there are many benefits of this technology, there remain questions about its safety. Despite limited scientific evidence, the rapid growth of this exposure over a relatively short time in combination with a large public concern and the potential for major consequences presents a policy challenge. Come and learn about exposures from mobile phones and wifi technologies, what we know about potential health effects, including brain cancer, and what we can do about it. A broad range of scientific viewpoints and industry pressure give the debate a sharp edge, particularly when it comes to mobile phone use by children.