Radiation

• Cell phones, including flip phones, function by transmitting and receiving radio-frequency (RF) energy. As a result, they produce low levels of electromagnetic radiation. Early studies on the effects of cell phone radiation on the human body were inconclusive, mainly because the cell phone users studied had only been using them for a relatively short period of time. More recent studies done on people who have been using cell phones for 10 or more years have found that they have an increased chance of developing serious health problems, including cancer, neurological issues, immune system and nervous system problems and complications with fetal development.
  
  

Distracted Driving

• Driving while using a cell phone, flip phones included, can lead to serious accidents. One in four car accidents happen as a result of the driver using a cell phone. Having a cell phone conversation while driving is very dangerous, and your reaction time while doing so is the same as if your blood alcohol level was at the legal limit of .08 percent. Sending or reading a text message is even more dangerous because your eyes are off the road for extended periods of time. Studies have found that texting while driving is six times more likely to result in an accident than drunk driving.
  
  

Electronic Interference on Airplanes

• Flip phones, as well as any other type of cell phone, have the potential to interfere with other electronic devices. For this reason, use of cell phones has been prohibited on airplanes due to concerns over interference with navigation and communications systems. While cell phones have never directly caused a plane to crash, there have been numerous reports from airlines of disruptions in various on-board systems.
  
  

Electronic Interference in Hospitals

• Studies have shown that electromagnetic interference from flip phones and other types of cell phone can adversely affect various electronic equipment in hospitals, such as pacemakers, ventilators and dialysis machines. All hospitals enforce restrictions on cell phone use within the hospital building, primarily in any area containing patients. Researchers from the University of Amsterdam's Academic Medical Center recommend that cell phones be used at least 3 feet away from any medical equipment.