Yesterday, I walked to the World Trade Center to meet Doug for lunch. In the less then ten block walk from my office to his, I noticed that at least half of the people I passed were talking on their cell phones. Seeing dozens of people walking down the street on the phone in only a ten minute period got me thinking – is there anyone left in this world that does not have a cell phone?

It was 1984 when the world was introduced to something called the “cellular telephone”. This technical marvel enabled people to reach into their pockets and make a telephone call to someone anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world. Back then, cellular phones were very expensive – and were looked at the way people would look at a Jaguar or Ferrari – a toy for the rich.

As the eighties came to a close and the nineties began – a wave of technological advancements were introduced that revolutionized our society. From CD players, to Windows to the Internet – so it was only a matter of time before cell phones became commonplace as well.

By 1994 – just ten years after the introduction of cell phones in the marketplace – sixteen million Americans subscribed to cellular phone services. By the end of 1999 – almost one hundred and four million people in the United States, and more than five hundred million people worldwide owned a mobile phone. Today, more than one hundred and ten million Americans – which includes twenty percent of all American teenagers are subscribers – some who have even removed their physical phone line from their home – opting to use their cellular number for all calls. Experts who have monitored the cell phone explosion predict that by 2005 – worldwide cell phone subscribership will reach one point two billion people.

But while the cell phone has become one of the most convenient and most popular of our most recent inventions – it also comes with many risks.

There is a growing debate among scientists about a link to cancer from the radiation emitted from cell phones. Some researchers believe that the constant use of a cell phone can do more harm then good. Scientists from Colorado University have shown that frequent mobile phone users had significantly depleted their melatonin, which is a vital cancer-preventing hormone. An Australian study has linked cell phones to a higher rate of brain cancer – while a Swedish survey suggested that using a mobile phone for more than fifteen minutes could lead to headaches and fatigue.

In addition to the cancer risk – cell phones have also become a contributing factor in automobile accidents. A recent study released by the American Automobile Association found that cellular phones have been the cause of more than thirty two thousand automobile accidents. And now, many states including New York are making the use of a cell phone while driving a punishable offense.

But despite the risks to mind and body – cellular phone companies are spending millions of dollars on advertising campaigns to attract new customers, offering packages that include free night and weekend minutes as well as free long distance – and even creating phones that come with everything from video games to MP3 players built into the phone itself.

As we continue to move farther into the twenty first century, technology will continue to move along with us – and if the cell phone trend continues – it’s only a matter of time before we’re all connected.