The director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UPMC Cancer Centers plans to issue an advisory to about 3,000 faculty and staff tomorrow about the possible health risks associated with cellular phone use.

The document suggests certain measures to limit exposure to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the devices, such as limiting the length of conversations or keeping the phones away from the head by using headsets or speaker phone options. It also recommends that children not use cell phones except in emergencies.

A child's developing organs "are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure," according to the document.

In an interview, Dr. Ronald Herberman, the centers' director, said he hoped the suggestions would spread to others within Pitt and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, as well as to the general public.

He noted that other countries have recommended limits on exposure, and that in Canada, officials in Toronto have advised young people to limit cell phone use. In the U.S., he believes he is the first cancer center director to approve the release of such an advisory, and the National Cancr Institute said it knew of no similar advisory issued by a U.S. cancer center director.