Mobile phones and bone strength

Using a mobile phone may cause weakening of the bones, according to research from Argentina.

Dr Fernando Saravi tested the bone mineralization of 48 healthy men: 24 who wore a mobile phone close to their hips and 24 who did not use mobiles. The tests assessed both bone mineral content and bone mineral density.

Saravi found that men who used mobile phones had lower bone mineral content in two parts of the hip: the right femoral neck and right trochanter. They also had lower bone mineral density at the right trochanter and the reduction in bone mineral density was related to the amount of time they spent with a mobile phone close to their hip.

If mobile phone radiation weakens bones, as the study suggests, might it contribute to osteoporosis, the author wonders, particularly in women and children exposed throughout life.

(Saravi, FD, J Craniofac Surg 22(2):706-10, 2011.)

from 'EMR and Health' Jun 2011, vol 7 no 2