Tip of the week: How to reduce cell-phone radiation
Give your phone some space; Get wired; Pick your spots
Give your phone some space. It shouldn’t have been a big shock last week when the World Health Organization categorized cell phones as a possible “carcinogenic hazard.” User manuals typically advise against direct contact. Holding a cell phone 2 inches from your ear reduces the radiation “by a factor of four.”
Get wired. Using a wired earpiece can cut radiation even more. If you’re worried about low-level radiation emitted by the wire itself, minimize it by spending a few bucks on a ferrite choke. Avoid Bluetooth wireless earpieces, which emit radiation right at the ear.
Pick your spots. Few people can foreswear cell chats altogether. But do note that a phone emits more radiation when in motion or receiving a weak signal. Safest, in fact, are calls that you receive outside near a cell tower while standing perfectly still.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Source: CNN.com
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Doom: The Dark Ages – an 'exhilarating' prequel
The Week Recommends Legendary shooter adds new combat options from timed parries to melee attacks and a 'particularly satisfying' shield charge
-
7 US cities to explore on a microtrip
The Week Recommends Not enough vacation days? No problem.
-
Crossword: May 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword