Section A · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
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Wednesday, February 7, 2001
Cell phone use raises health questions
By Livi Regenbaum
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Jessica Hanson talks on her cell phone every day.
The St. Louis, Mo., junior said she did not worry about the potential health hazards of cell phones.
"If I am going to get cancer, it won't be from a cell phone," Hanson said.
George Carlo, public health scientist and founder of the Health Risk Management Group, said there were 100 million cell phone users in the United States and 500 million worldwide.
The health hazards of cell phones has caused national debate amongst scientists and the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.
Travis Larson, representative for the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet association, said that researchers affirmed that there were no health hazards from the use of cell phones.
Derek Osborn, co-owner of Simply Wireless, 4651 W. Sixth St., said that there was an increase in the number of students purchasing cell phones, and he did not think cell phones were a health hazard.
"Research has shown at this time that there is no health threat from cell phone use," he said.
The National Cancer Institute reported Thursday that there was no association found between cellular phone use and risk of brain tumors at this time.
However, the institute also reported that the study from 1994 to 1988 covering 800 adult brain tumor cases did not include long-
Carlo said he was concerned about the health risks of cell phones. He has been the chairman of the Wireless Technology Research Lab in Washington, D.C. which has conducted 50 different studies on the health risks of cell phones from 1994 to 1999. The studies were conducted on animals as well as on humans.
"We have found through research that there is genetic damage from radiation from the antenna of cell phones," he said. "This shows that there are clear indications of health risks due to cell phones according to studies of people who use cell phones."
Carlo said the CTIA has been unethical in its denial of the health risks of cell phones.
eye due to cell phones."
"CTIA is lying." he said. "We have found very strong evidence in studies showing the increase of brain tumors and melanoma in the
Larson said that CTIA was dedicated to its customers concerning safety of cell phones.
"CTIA and the wireless industry are dedicated to the safety of our customers," he said. "We are also open to independent research. We will continue to affirm that there is no public health threat from cell phones."
Gina Wilson, Parsons junior, said she did not worry about the health hazards of cell phones, and she talked for an hour every day on it.
On the other hand, Baran Ersoy,
Istamul, Turkey, senior, said he
had some concern about using his
cell phone.
Carlo said he hoped to educate consumers about the health hazards of cell phones.
"The government has not done
CELL PHONE TIPS
Use phone headsets
Keep antenna away from body
- No one cell phone is safer than in other
Radiation levels depend on the strength of signals where you are talking, not on how long you are talking.
Source: George Carlo, public health scientist
what they should be doing to protect consumers in the United States from cell phone hazards," he said. "We hope to educate consumers on how they can protect themselves from cell phone risks."
By Amanda Begin
writer@kanson.com
Kansas staff writer
— Edited by Amanda Hay
Jessica Gegg was lucky.
Although the Philadelphia senior's purse and $140 worth of gift certificates were stolen, all of her items were recovered within two days.
Because gift certificates look like anonymous credit cards instead of paper certificates with a person's name on them, using a stolen gift card is easier than ever.
During the past two weeks, the KU Public Safety Office reported several gift certificates stolen from KU students' purses. However, the purse was usually the goal — the certificates just an added bonus.
So what happens to gift certificates when they are stolen from their rightful owners?
Danny Thurman, a Gap customer service employee, said gift certificates were no different than cash.
"It states on the card that it's no replaceable if it's lost of stolen. Thurman said. "If you lose it, it' like dropping a $10 bill on the ground."
Asking customers for identification at the cashier's desk would not be ethical, he said.
"We can't just assume everyone has a stolen card," Thurman said. "We'd lose customers that way."
However, if a victim of gift certificate theft contacts any Gap store, a new certificate could be issued and the stolen one voided.
he said
"If you have the original receipt, we can trace the number," Thurman said. "We won't be able to find your original, but at least we can cancel it."
Gegg, who lost Old Navy and Best Buy gift certificates, said she didn't know she could cancel the certificates.
"I thought if you lost them, someone else was just $100 richer," she said.
Erin Easum, a Kohl's customer service employee, said the store echoed The Gap's process.
"We don't have an ID policy, but if we know the numbers on the card, we can cancel it and issue a new one," she said.
Easum said the gift cards don't work until they have been activated, making stolen gift cards worthless.
The Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and SuperTarget gift cards also need cashier activation, making a gift card purchase similar to a phone card purchase.
Representatives from Abercrombie & Fitch would not comment on the store's gift certificate identification policy.
Mark Ryan, SuperTarget senior soft lines manager, said a gift certificate thief would not be able to use or add money to a stolen gift certificate.
"If someone has your card, and you cancel it," Ryan said. "When they try to use it, it won't go through."
Edited by Matt Daugherty
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Linda Mullens - Student Affairs Marshall Jackson-Student Development Center Dr. Ken Stoner-Student Housing Mary Chappell-Recreation Services Dr.Randy Rock-Student Health Services
The C.L.A.S.S. Award 2001 Finalists
In 1987, the Senior Class established the C.L.A.S.S. Award to honor a staff member in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Kansas.
A Recognition of Excellence
Today, the award remains the only honor given to a staff member by the Senior Class.
The Class of 2001 continues this tradition by recognizing a staff member for distinguished achievements in student services, commitment to the needs of KU students, and contributions to the welfare of students at the University of Kansas.
The Board of Class Officers (BOCO) Presents
The 2001 C.L.A.S.S. Award will be presented at Allen Fieldhouse at the KU vs. OSU basketball game on February 10, 2001.
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