The link between cell phone use and cancer was again in the spotlight, this time in a memo addressed by the head of a leading US cancer research institute to his colleagues on Wednesday.

Although no scientific work has showed clear evidence between cell phone use and the risk of developing cancer, Dr. Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute warned more than 3,000 faculty and staff at the institute about the risks they expose while using mobile phones.

He strongly recommended them limit exposure to the electromagnetic fields of mobiles, especially in children’s case whose brains are still developing. He went even further and urged his colleagues to use whenever is possible the speakerphone mode or a wireless Bluetooth headset in order to keep he mobile phone away from the head and in general away from the body. Keeping the mobile phone away from our body should be done at night as well and not under the pillow or on a bedside table.

Waiting for a definite study to show a clear connection between cell phones and cancer is not the solution Dr. Herberman is giving to his colleagues. He urged them to take precautions until that moment comes and until problems related to using the mobile phone is starting to show consequences on their health.

“We shouldn’t wait for a definite study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later,” he said.

In supporting his idea, Dr. Herberman added that France and Germany issued the same recommendation in order to protect people against cell phone risks. Also, Toronto’s Department of Public Health is urging teenagers and young children to limit their use of cell phones.