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  • True or False: Dispelling Myths

True or False: Cell Phone Myths

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True or false: You can get electrocuted while using your cell phone while it is being recharged (plugged in).
False, although there was one article in an Indian newspaper in 2004 reporting that a man was electrocuted when answering a phone that was recharging. It is true that phone batteries can explode, or cause fires, but it is very rare.

True or false: Cells phones have touched off explosions at gas stations.
False. While there are multiple stories about men in Australia and Thailand being killed when their cell phones rang while pumping gas, they cannot be verified.

True or false: Cell phones cause male infertility.
Maybe. We did find news suggesting there is research to support claims that men who use a cell phone more than four hours a day had lower sperm counts and lower quality sperm. There is some speculation that it is the electromagnetic waves or the heat generated by the phone that causes the issue.

True or false: Does using a cell phone cause cancer?
Maybe. There is evidence to support claims that it is does, and given how fast cell phone use is increasing, science has not really had enough time to come to a conclusion.

Remember that Snopes.com: Rumor has it is a great place to check things out that just sound bizarre.

Gossiping Teens
Author: PAMF Senior Research Associate Nancy Brown, Ph.D., M.A., Ed.S

For more information on Nancy Brown, please go to her profile page.
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