The Man Who Was Allergic to Radio Waves

CELLPHONE HABITS OF THE EXPERTS

Rony Seger
Weizmann Institute of Science

"I try not to exceed a half hour or an hour a day," Seger says of his cellphone use. "Everything is a matter of dosage." He suggests keeping cellphones at least 12 inches from the body and using the speakerphone.

Christopher Woollams
Founder and CEO of CANCERactive

Woollams uses his cell sparingly and puts it on speakerphone. His older kids -- aged 14, 23 and 26 -- "are encouraged to only text at most. I don't want them to carry the phone on their bodies when they are on."

Michael Repacholi
Former coordinator of the WHO's Radiation and Environmental Health Unit

Repacholi owns two cellphones and says he has no concerns about using them. For those who do, he recommends using a hands-free kit, which can reduce exposure levels by a factor of between 10 and 100.

John Boice
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the International Epidemiology Institute

Boice makes approximately five cellphone calls a day. He uses a wired earpiece -- not for fear of EMFs but because "I'm getting older and don't hear so well anymore," he says.

Ulrika Aberg
Electro-hypersensitivity specialist

Aberg removes her phone's battery when she visits patients. She advises against wireless phones and wireless computer connections at home because, she says, "you are exposed to EMFs all day and all night."

Elisabeth Cardis
Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology and head of Interphone

Cardis is not a heavy talker ("I have little time!") but says, "If consumers are worried about a possible risk, the use of hands-free kits or earpieces is a very good way to reduce exposure."

Michael Kundi
Institute of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna

Kundi dials on a landline whenever available and suggests not using cellphones where reception is weak, because they boost their signal to maintain connectivity, thus increasing EMF exposure.