Study claims cell phones can impact sperm quality

[tjw61]

Study claims cell phones can impact sperm quality

Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:12AM EDT


More news suggesting that cell phones can be harmful in ways we haven't really thought about: A Cleveland doctor at the Center for Reproductive Medicine took sperm samples and exposed them to "talk mode" level cell phone radiation at a distance of 2.5 centimeters for an hour. After analyzing the samples, the researchers found "an increase in oxidative stress such as a significant increase in free radicals and oxidants and a decrease in antioxidants" which "equals a decrease in sperm's quality, including motility and viability."

The study is very small and limited (and sperm in a test tube may behave far differently than sperm in the body), but it's still troubling that only an hour of exposure can lead to such radical results. That 85 percent increase in free radicals sounds a little scary, and the study's head, Dr. Ashok Agarwal, says that free radicals have been linked to cancer and decreased sperm quality. An earlier study, which we wrote about almost two years ago, suggested that extended cell phone use can contribute to infertility in men, also.

Lest you think that your phone is never 2.5cm away from your gonads, consider that Bluetooth headset you have wedged in your ear... and where your phone is all that time. The irony is that many people have turned to headsets in order to avoid any potential risk for brain cancer, but may be increasing that risk in another part of the body. All that radiation has to end up somewhere.

Still, even the doctor involved in the study admits that it's too early to start panicking over the issue yet, but of course he calls for more research into the subject.

[ken]

when is it too soon to protect my nuts?

[hellou023]

that's it, i'm buying a lead cup.