Health call

Having warning labels about the possible risks of cancer won’t stop people from using cellphones, some residents said on Sunday.

A report published last month by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to people based on an increased risk of glioma, a type of brain cancer.

The report concluded that there could be some health risks and further studies were needed in order to find a definitive link between cellphones and cancer.

NDP Health Promotion Critic France Gélinas said on Wednesday that it was time for the Ontario government to place warning labels on cellphone packages.

"Now that the WHO has stated there might be possible links of cellphone usage to cancer, the Minister of Health Promotion should support the pragmatic measure of putting warning labels on cellphones and eduacte Ontarians about the potential health risks," Gélinas said in a release.

But people who spoke with Tbnewswatch.com on Sunday said even if there were warning labels it wouldn’t stop them from using their cellphones.

John Pylpchuk and his wife, Sandy both use cellphones and both agreed that having a warning would be a good idea but wouldn’t stop them from using their phones.

"People would still use their cellphones anyway," Pylpchuk said. "People still smoke and they still drink."

Sandy added that the labels could motivate people to do their own research on the health risks so they have a more informed opinion on the topic.

Christian Persaud, 17, has had a cellphone for more than five years and uses it all the time. He said if there were warning labels such as on cigarette packages, then he would just them.

"It doesn’t make any sense to me," Persaud said. "I smoke myself and I see the warning label but I don’t care."

Andy Lundstrom, 25, said if you own a cellphone it isn’t anyone’s business what you do with it or how it affects you.

John Harstone doesn’t own a cellphone but knows plenty of people who do. He read an article on Gélinas’ suggestion and said it wasn’t a bad idea.

"It’s just a warning," Harstone said.

Tbnewswatch.com attempted to contact Gélinas for this story but was unsuccessful.