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Last Updated: Apr 20, 2011 - 9:38:09 AM |
In response to last week's email, many readers wrote back with concerns and questions similar to the following:
Email from reader:
"I know that most people use cell phones, and I appreciate the OCA
looking for the best companies to purchase such a service, but I have a
couple concerns. First of all, I have read that cell phones can cause
brain tumors. Secondly, I hear there are environmental and child labor
issues related to coltan mining for cell phones.
Response from the OCA:
Thanks for sharing your concerns. You are correct, the electromagnetic
fields emitted by cell phones are likely problematic if the phone is
used inappropriately. In Organic Bytes #141,
we discuss this issue in detail and provide tips for reducing exposure.
The most important health precaution is to keep cell phones away from
children and for adults to get in the habit of using an ear piece or
speaker phone and not putting the phone directly to your head. As for
the coltan mining issue, the OCA has deep concerns about what is
happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where more than 60%
of coltan is mined. Because of its ability to hold high electric
charges, coltan is used in cellular phones, computers, jet engines,
missiles, ships, and weapons systems. Without coltan the digital age
would not exist. Having said that, the electronic industry (and
consumers) have done a horrible job recycling this precious substance.
You can recycle your old phones here.
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