Can Cell Phones Cause Autism?

Can Cell Phones Cause Autism?

August 19, 2011

Causes of autism, Infants/Toddlers, Parenting Autism, Symptoms

Autism has increased sixty-fold since the late 1970s. But autism rates really took off during the past 10 years. The scientific community is not really sure what causes autism. Is it genetic? Environmental? Do vaccines which contain mercury contribute? No one seems to know for sure.
So what is the implication of this? Well with no real understanding of what causes autism, scientists and doctors are at a loss for how to prevent it…and how to cure it. Now there is evidence that wireless devices…cell phones, WI-FI devices, cellular towers…all may be having an adverse effect.
Research conducted in Australia studied children with autism over a five year period. The study looked at the effect EMR or electromagnetic radiation has on kids. The study, published in the Journal of the Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine found a correlation to heavy metal concentrations, exposure to EMR and autism.

More kids are being exposed to EMR

The study noted the increase in the rate of growth of autism diagnoses parallel the growth in the use of cell phones and the increase in the amount of EMR that children are exposed to. And so many children have been exposed to increasing amounts of electromechanical radiation (EMR) in the past decade. After all, who doesn't have a wireless network for your computers in your house along with several cell phones? And even if you don’t use a cell phone, there are cell towers everywhere which allow those with a phone to connect wirelessly.
The researchers believe that the dramatic increase in the rate of autism must have an environmental component. And their research points to a possible cause. Researchers believe that the increase in exposure to EMR from all of these wireless devices in combination with environmental and genetic factors is creating the perfect storm.

Heavy Metals Concentrations were Studied

The researchers studied the concentration of heavy metals in the children. Tests were done to assess this level of heavy metals through the three distinct excretion pathways of urine, skin and feces. The researchers believe that the expose to cell phones and other wireless devices cause cells to trap heavy metals which accelerate the onset of autistic symptoms. Do radio waves from cell phones and other wireless devices make children's expose to heavy metals and vaccines more dangerous than they would typically be? Well these researchers believe that this may be the case.

As a parent what can you do?

We really can't know for sure the extent that exposure to EMR from cell phones or other wireless devices contribute to the onset of autism. But parents may want to think twice before exposing their newborns or toddlers to cell phones. Don't put your cell phone up to your baby's mouth so that grandma can hear your toddler babbling. Perhaps you want to avoid using your cell phone around small children.
It may be tempting to hold your baby while chatting with a friend. But use your wire-line phone in the house rather than your cell phone. It may be a little inconvenient, but perhaps an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
While some may see this as extreme, until we know what truly causes autism, these researchers advice caution.
For more information on how you can help and protect your child read Can Autism Be Prevented? Research Suggests Parents Can Play a Pivotal Role