According to Pew Research Center, 92% of American adults owned a cellphone in 2015, a significant jump from 65% in 2004. This increasing reliance on technology has made our lives easier and more convenient in many ways, but its also lead to some unfortunate consequences. Perhaps most significantly, excessive cellphone use can hinder the development of social skills in all Americans but particularly in young adults. Now, its believed that cellphones can cause physical harm as well, prompting a Superior Court Judge to order the state of California to release crucial information on the matter.

Documents from California’s Environmental Health Investigations branch are believed to contain information regarding cellphone radiation risks and other potentially harmful effects. California has now been ordered to release those documents to the public. (RELATED: The natural extract from this plant could prevent brain tumors.)

Initially, the state refused to release the information after a request was made by a director at University of California Berkeley School of Public Health. This prompted Joel Moskowitz, PH.D., to sue under the California Public Records Act.

“I would like this document to see the light of day because it will inform the public that there is concern within the California Department of Public Health that cellphone radiation is a risk, and it will provide them with some information about how to reduce those risks,” explained Moskowitz, who is the Director at the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health.

Moskowitz also offered his opinion as to why the state of California would be trying to hide the information from the public. “They claim that this would lead to chaos and confusion among the public, I suspect that they were afraid of the reaction from the telecommunications industry should they publish this document. In fact, they even argued that in their brief,” he explained.

In the lawsuit, Moskowitz cites research that found a correlation between years of cellphone usage and an increased risk of brain tumors. (RELATED: Read about the top seven causes of cancer and learn what you can do to prevent it.)

The Superior Court judge ruled on Friday that the Department of Public Health’s investigation into the harmful effects of cellphone usage is in the interest of the public.

Although the FCC says that there is no definitive link “between wireless devices and cancer or other illnesses,” Moskowitz believes very strongly that there are serious health risks associated with cellphone usage. He encourages the public to do their best to limit the amount of time spent talking on the phone, and hopes that the judge’s ruling will make people more aware of the health risks and potential consequences.

Sources:

SanFrancisco.CBSlocal.com

PewInternet.org