Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, one of the most prominent cancer research institutes of the nation, has warned that there is a possible link between cancer and mobile phone use, and people should refrain from using their gadgets too much.

Herberman based his warning on early data which is unpublished, and underlined that it is much better to err on the side of caution. He thus proceeded with a memo which warns about 3,000 faculty and staff that children should use cell phones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing, and the microwaves might interfere with the proper development.

Most people, including the industry associations, have pointed out that studies so far have found no increased risk of brain cancer or other cancers in mobile phone users. However, it is very important to remember that these studies looked at adults. Herberman's concern was especially focused on children, who lately have started to use mobile phones at an ever increasing rate, probably surpassing adults.

As young children's brains are still developing, and no reliable studies appear to exist on the issue, Dr. Ronald B. Herberman probably thought that it's best to be safe and protect them from an unknown danger. Earlier this year, three prominent brain surgeons raised similar concerns while talking on “The Larry King Show.”

The data shows that electromagnetic fields from cell phones are estimated to penetrate the brain especially in children, and microwaves are known to cause an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and an increased synthesis of stress proteins, even at the "safe" levels imposed by current mobile phone standards.

Eighty-four percent of the population, or some 255 million Americans, use cell phones, while 15 percent have renounced land lines altogether.

The ten advices by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute are as follows:

1. Do not allow children to use a cell phone except for emergencies
2. While communicating using your cell phone, try to keep the cell phone away from the body
3. Avoid using your cell phone in places where you can passively expose others to your phone’s electromagnetic field
4. Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times
5. If you must carry your cell phone on you, make sure that the keypad is positioned toward your body
6. Only use your cell phone to establish contact or for conversations lasting a few minutes
7. Switch sides regularly while communicating on your cell phone
8. Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or when moving at high speed
9. When possible, communicate via text messaging rather than making a call
10. Choose a device with the lowest SAR possible (SAR = Specific Absorption Rate)