An international panel of scientists has warned that despite many published studies saying otherwise, cellphone use could be hazardous.

Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and head of the panel, said that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the phones could cause "possible adverse health effects including cancer".

The panel reviewed unpublished data; studies published so far have produced conflicting results with the largest studies finding no link between cellphone use and cancer.

Herberman says it takes too long to get answers from science and he believes people should take action now ? especially when it comes to children.

"Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," Herberman said.

Herberman's advice? Adults should keep the phone away from the head and use the speakerphone or a wireless headset. He even warns against using cellphones in public places like a bus because it exposes others to the phone's electromagnetic fields.

With regards to children, Herberman said that they should use cellphones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing.