Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. tumor (n.) [too-mer, tyoo-] – an abnormal growth of cells in a part of the body
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. tumor (n.) [too-mer, tyoo-] – an abnormal growth of cells in a part of the body
Example: The patient had an
operation to remove the tumor in his
brain.
2. infertility (n.) [in-fur-tl] – the condition of being unable to produce children
Example: The couple went to the
doctor to be checked for signs of infertility.
3. exposure
(adj.) [ik-spoh-zher] – (in health) the state of being open to receive the effects of
something (usually harmful)
Example: Exposure to the sun for a long period damages the skin.
4. stand by (idiom) [stand-bahy] – to show support for something; to insist on a decision
Example: The government will stand by its promise to improve
healthcare.
5. wary (adj.) [wair-ee] –cautious of something because of distrust or lack of confidence
Example: The patient was wary with
the young doctor’s advice.
Article
Read the text below.
A study about the
safety of communication gadgets in the UK asserts that using mobile phones is
not dangerous to people’s health.
The safety review, made
for the Health Protection Agency (HPA), looked at data from hundreds of
researches and found no connection between mobile phones and cancer, brain tumors or infertility.
The review is the largest
study so far concerning the possible health risks of mobile phones. .
The researchers say
exposure to radiation cannot be
avoided because technology is now very much a part of daily life. There are more than 80 million mobile users
in the UK alone. Technological advances in television, radio, and wi-fi also further
increase people’s contact with low-level radio frequency.
However, Anthony
Swerdlow, the leader of the review team, says that even though the review
found no evidence that proves mobile phones are dangerous, more studies need
to be done in the future. Mobile phones became popular only around 15 years ago;
therefore their long-term effects on people are still unknown.
In spite of such
positive findings, HPA stands by
its previous advice for children to lessen use of mobile phones. Dr. John
Cooper, the head of HPA’s center for radiation, chemical and environmental
hazards, says mobile phones may still be considered new technologies, and users
should continue to be wary of
these devices.
In the meantime,
the HPA is also requesting for additional research on the health risks of
other new technologies, such as airport security scanners.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you think people will stop using mobile
phones if they learn phones can really cause health problems? Why or why not?
·
Aside from possible effects on health, how else
can mobile phones affect people?
Discussion B
·
Do you think children should be allowed to use
mobile phones? Why or why not?
·
What are the advantages and disadvantages of younger
generations growing up with so much technology?