Study: Keeping an active phone in pocket affects sperm quality

According to new research conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, having an active cellphone in the pocket could possible decrease a man’s sperm quality.

The research was led by Ashok Agarwal, Director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine. He says, “We believe that these devices are used because we consider them very safe, but it could cause harmful effects due to the proximity of the phones and the exposure that they are causing to the gonads.”

Though previous studies concluded that the use of wireless phones had nothing to do with sterility, or reduced sperm quality, for that matter, and CTIA spokesman Joe Farren himself says “there is no link between wireless usage and adverse health effects,” Agarwal’s research yielded some very intruiging results.

A cellphone in talk mode at 850 MHz was placed 2.5 centimeters from sperm samples for an hour, and it is said that researchers found an increase in oxidative stress such as a significant increase in free radicals and oxidants and a decrease in antioxidants. And you know free radicals, those substances are linked to several diseases including cancer. Not the kind of thing anyone would want to get into.

All things considered, this is very disturbing news, but Agalwar says it is not yet time to change one’s cellphone carrying habits. He says, “Our study has not provided proof that you should stop putting cell phones in your pocket. There are many things that need to be proven before we get to that stage.”

Oh, we’re not there yet? But eventually, we will? Thanks, that’s very reassuring.

Via CNN

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Posted on 19 Sep 08 - Filed in Wireless - Comments - Written by David Gonzales

  • "A cellphone in talk mode at 850 MHz was placed 2.5 centimeters from sperm samples for an hour.... "

    Well, thank god I don't use the phone in "talk mode" in my pants. I usually hold it in my hand when I talk :)

    Though people with the headsets might have something to think about.....
  • Exactly. As long as we keep talking on our phones like most people do, through the earpiece, we're more likely to have brain cancer than low-quality sperm. And that's... a good thing? :)
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