One of
the most common
sights we see these
days, is that of
people with their
mobile phones next to
their ears. A boon
for better
communication, cell
phone usage
nonetheless has many
health hazards.
Various studies
indicate that the
emissions from a cell
phone can be
extremely harmful,
causing genetic
damage, tumors,
memory loss, and
increased blood
pressure and
weakening of the
immune system. This
is alarming
information, and one
has to take into
account all these
factors..
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CELL PHONES AND
HEALTH |
Though there
is no evidence of
cell phones causing
cancer or any such
illness, but the
suspicion, or fear of
the same is not
baseless either. The
electromagnetic
radiation from cell
phones does have a
potential link to
cancer. The fact that
this radiation is
invisible,
intangible, and
enters and leaves our
bodies without our
knowledge makes it
even more
intimidating.
Possible
hazards:
-
Two
minutes
of
exposure
to
emissions
from
mobile
phones
can
disable
a
safety
barrier
in
blood
causing
proteins
and
toxins
to leak
into
the
brain,
could
increase
chances
of
developing
Alzheimer's
multiple
sclerosis
and
Parkinson's.
(Scientists
at
Sweden's
Lund
University)
-
Scientists
say
exposure
to the
phones'
low-level
radiation
causes
red
blood
cells
to leak
hemoglobin
and can
lead to
heart
disease
and
kidney
stones.
-
Recent
studies
suggesting
a link
between
cell-phone
use and
brain
tumors,
and the
possibility
that
the
microwaves
could
ignite
petroleum
fumes
at gas
stations.
-
A cell
phone
unit,
or
communications
tower,
has so
many of
thee
radiation
emanating
gadgets.
This
can be
a
problem
for its
immediate
environment.
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SPECIFIC HEALTH
CONCERNS |
Cancer /
Tumors
Studies have been conducted
suggesting that rats that
have been exposed to
microwaves similar to the
sort generated by mobile
phones but more powerful,
showed breaks in their DNA
which could indicate an
adverse effect. Also, mice
exposed to radiation for 18
months developed brain
tumors. Though of course,
these studies are not
concrete proof.
Blood
Pressure
It was observed that people
using cell phones were
prone to high blood
pressure. Again, there
isn't any concrete evidence
of the same.
Pregnancy
A study at the University
of Montpellier in France
was carried out on 6000
chick embryos and suggested
that the heavily exposed
chick eggs were five times
less likely to survive than
the control group.
This study raised questions
about possible effects on
pregnant women but it has
not yet appeared in
peer-reviewed scientific
literature or been
reproduced, so its findings
are difficult to
assess.
Headaches,
Heating Effects,
Fatigue
A study brought out that
longer the people used
mobile phones, the more
likely they were to report
symptoms such as hot ears,
burning skin, headaches and
fatigue.
The study did not include a
control group (that is
people who do not use
mobile phones, to make a
comparison); therefore the
symptoms reported could
have been caused by any
number of other factors in
the mobile phones users'
environment, such as
working with computers,
stress, driving or
reading.
Memory
There have been various
studies into the connection
between mobile phones and
memory loss. A study looked
into the effect of
radiofrequency (RF) on the
section of rats' brains
that is linked with the
memory. The results showed
that RF could modify
signals in the cells in a
part of the brain that is
responsible for learning
and short term memory.
Posture (holding
phone between raised
shoulder and
ear)
Some researchers claim that
holding a mobile phone
between the raised shoulder
and the ear could have a
damaging effect on muscles,
bones, tendons and discs.
These problems would apply
equally to a cordless phone
or a landline phone as to a
mobile phone and are the
effect of bad posture.
Mobile Phones and
Children
Because of their smaller
heads, thinner skulls and
higher tissue conductivity,
children may absorb more
energy from a given phone
than adults.
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PREVENTION
TIPS |
-
Cell
phones
should
be used
for
emergencies,
and not
for
long
conversations.
-
A small
chip-like
cell
phone
microwave
radiation
protection
device
is
available,
which
has the
ability
to
absorb
electromagnetic
energy
waves
from
your
mobile
phone.
It
helps
in
reducing
the
potential
harmful
effects
of
these
emissions
to the
human
body.
-
Using a
mobile
headset
is a
good
idea,
you
don't
have to
hold
phones
next to
your
ears
all the
time
-
Use a
hands
free
mobile
car kit
while
driving,
without
taking
your
hands
off the
steering
wheel
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THE WHO (World
Health Organisation)
RULES |
-
Mobile
phone
users
should
limit
their
exposure
to
harmful
radio
frequencies
by
cutting
the
length
of
calls.
-
Hands-free
devices
cut
exposure
by
keeping
the
instrument
away
from
the
head
and
body.
-
Driving
cum
mobile
phone
talking
should
be
banned.
-
Mobile
phones
should
not be
used in
Intensive
Care
Units
of
hospitals
as they
can
pose a
danger
to
patients
by
interfering
with
the
working
of
pacemakers
and
defibrillators.
-
People
with
hearing
aids
should
not use
mobile
phones.
-
Base
stations,
which
have
low
powered
antennae
on
their
terrace
to
communicate
with
cell
phones,
should
not be
located
near
children's
schools
and
playgrounds.
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CELL PHONES WHILE
DRIVING |
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Studies
indicate
that
a lot
of
car
accidents
have
happened,
while
the
driver
was
on
the
phone.
This
is
because
while
driving,
one
obviously
needs
to
concentrate,
and
talking
on a
phone
doesn't
help.
Some
countries
like
Portugal
have
banned
the
use
of
cell
phones,
which
may
not
be
very
practical,
as
their
main
use
is to
be
reachable
while
you
are
on
the
move.
Thus,
it is
important
to
take
certain
precautions
while
driving:
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-
Position
your
phone
within
easy
reach
so that
you
don't
have to
take
your
eyes
off the
road.
-
Get to
know
the
features
of your
cell
phone -
speed
dial,
redial,
voice
mail,
they
can be
your
lifesaver.
But
don't
dial
and
drive
at the
same
time.
Use a
hands
free
kit.
-
Avoid
using a
phone
when
road
conditions
are
hazardous
or
traffic
is
heavy.
You can
let
your
voice
mail
take
messages
and
then
call
back
later.
-
Don't
engage
in
stressful
conversations
that
may
distract
your
attention
from
the
road.
-
Don't
take
notes
or look
up
phone
numbers
whilst
driving,
wait
till
you can
pull
over.
-
User
abbreviated
speed
dialing.
In
fact,
voice
activated
dialing
is even
better.
It
leaves
both
hands
free.
Frequently
called
numbers
can be
programmed.
-
Have an
answering
machine
installed
that
could
take
messages
until
you can
return
the
calls.
Let
your
co-passenger
handle
the
calls
if you
are not
travelling
alone.
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Globalisation is the new
mantra. In this age, it is
very difficult not to have
technology. But with
technology, come certain
hazards. The only way to
beat these is again, better
technology. Electromagnetic
radiation is everywhere.
More and more wireless
communication services
(cellular phones, paging,
wireless Internet) are
expected so is the
artificial electromagnetic
radiation. It seems that
there is no way to reverse
this trend. Scientists and
engineers are developing
better and safer wireless
systems and devices.
Smaller cell size, better
base station antennas and
other more advanced
technologies will allow
future cell phones to
radiate much lower power.
So one can only hope that
cell phone hazards will be
reduced.
Curtsy
www compareindia
com
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