Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Cellphones and Radiation Hazard
A small sleek and sophisticated little instrument, easy to use and convenient to carry, something that keeps you in touch with everybody, no matter where you are. Whether you need to contact a doctor in an emergency or want to instruct your secretary while travelling, the cell phones or mobile phones come in handy. They are so convenient that today they are almost a part and parcel of our lives. But are they absolutely safe? Is there any chance that these cell phones may be hazardous to health?
Playing with the living cells?
Till very recently, no one ever thought that cell phones could in any way be risky. But some of the facts that are coming up through different studies are absolute eye-openers. Just the other day a 28-year-old manager of a corporate firm, came to the hospital with a terrible headache and body tremors. On investigation he was found to be suffering from a large tumour over his right ear inside his brain. The tumour was confirmed as malignant. The cause was traced to the continuous use of cell phones over a period of time. This revelation has left both the manufacturers as well as the users totally helpless.
What are the causes?
Mobile phones are low power radio devices that transmit and receive radio frequency radiation (at frequencies in the microwave range of 900-1800 MHz) through an antenna used close to the user's head. Studies show that 60% of the emitted dangerous microwaves from these cell phones directly penetrate our brains and necks. Their effect on the body is due to the penetration of the radio-frequency (RF) fields via the exposed tissues, which are absorbed in the body producing heat and breaking the cell DNA by disturbing them.
What are the consequences?
This gives rise to different diseases and symptoms such as changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, electroencephalographic activity, high blood pressure, memory lapses, tiredness and debility, leukaemia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. This of course excludes the number of road accidents that occur every day because of the distraction it causes due to its use while driving.
Researchers at the Colorado University have proved that continuous use of the cell phones cause a decrease in the melatonin in our bodies. And melatonin is an important factor in the prevention of cancer. In fact they have said that use of cell phones should be totally avoided in pregnancy, because of its possible adverse effects on the foetus. This has been concluded with studies done on chicken eggs.
Another similar study has conclusively proven that 35 minutes of continuous use of cell phones increase blood pressure by 5 to 10 mm. Some Swedish Cancer experts have also said that it makes one particularly prone to brain cancers.
According to cardiologists, the radio frequency waves interfere in medical devices such as defibrillators and pacemakers.
Neurologists fear that excessive use of cell phones give rise to symptoms such as Tinnitus (ringing in the ear), concentration and memory lapse, changes in brain activity, reaction times and sleep patterns.
Though the body's normal thermo-regulatory processes carry away the heat generated by the cell phones, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the health effects of RF are clearly related to such exposure. It has also requested the scientists to carry out extensive studies on all the possible consequences on the human body.
What should one do?
Although the validity of all the studies are yet to be established and considering how convenient these little instruments are, it will definitely need a lot of persuasion to ask someone to give up using cell phones. However one can take a few precautions that may go a long way in the prevention of these ailments.
Limit your use of the cell phone
In case you have to use them, don't use them continuously for more than 10 minutes
Those who have to use them for more than 20 minutes at a time should get a brain scan done from time-to-time
Use a hands-free set by way of earphones
Keep handset away from the breast pocket, especially if you have a pacemaker inside you
If the signal is weak, do not use the phone. In order to pick the signal, the handset heats up more, thereby emitting more radiation
Refrain from using the phone while driving
A small sleek and sophisticated little instrument, easy to use and convenient to carry, something that keeps you in touch with everybody, no matter where you are. Whether you need to contact a doctor in an emergency or want to instruct your secretary while travelling, the cell phones or mobile phones come in handy. They are so convenient that today they are almost a part and parcel of our lives. But are they absolutely safe? Is there any chance that these cell phones may be hazardous to health?
Playing with the living cells?
Till very recently, no one ever thought that cell phones could in any way be risky. But some of the facts that are coming up through different studies are absolute eye-openers. Just the other day a 28-year-old manager of a corporate firm, came to the hospital with a terrible headache and body tremors. On investigation he was found to be suffering from a large tumour over his right ear inside his brain. The tumour was confirmed as malignant. The cause was traced to the continuous use of cell phones over a period of time. This revelation has left both the manufacturers as well as the users totally helpless.
What are the causes?
Mobile phones are low power radio devices that transmit and receive radio frequency radiation (at frequencies in the microwave range of 900-1800 MHz) through an antenna used close to the user's head. Studies show that 60% of the emitted dangerous microwaves from these cell phones directly penetrate our brains and necks. Their effect on the body is due to the penetration of the radio-frequency (RF) fields via the exposed tissues, which are absorbed in the body producing heat and breaking the cell DNA by disturbing them.
What are the consequences?
This gives rise to different diseases and symptoms such as changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, electroencephalographic activity, high blood pressure, memory lapses, tiredness and debility, leukaemia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. This of course excludes the number of road accidents that occur every day because of the distraction it causes due to its use while driving.
Researchers at the Colorado University have proved that continuous use of the cell phones cause a decrease in the melatonin in our bodies. And melatonin is an important factor in the prevention of cancer. In fact they have said that use of cell phones should be totally avoided in pregnancy, because of its possible adverse effects on the foetus. This has been concluded with studies done on chicken eggs.
Another similar study has conclusively proven that 35 minutes of continuous use of cell phones increase blood pressure by 5 to 10 mm. Some Swedish Cancer experts have also said that it makes one particularly prone to brain cancers.
According to cardiologists, the radio frequency waves interfere in medical devices such as defibrillators and pacemakers.
Neurologists fear that excessive use of cell phones give rise to symptoms such as Tinnitus (ringing in the ear), concentration and memory lapse, changes in brain activity, reaction times and sleep patterns.
Though the body's normal thermo-regulatory processes carry away the heat generated by the cell phones, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the health effects of RF are clearly related to such exposure. It has also requested the scientists to carry out extensive studies on all the possible consequences on the human body.
What should one do?
Although the validity of all the studies are yet to be established and considering how convenient these little instruments are, it will definitely need a lot of persuasion to ask someone to give up using cell phones. However one can take a few precautions that may go a long way in the prevention of these ailments.
Limit your use of the cell phone
In case you have to use them, don't use them continuously for more than 10 minutes
Those who have to use them for more than 20 minutes at a time should get a brain scan done from time-to-time
Use a hands-free set by way of earphones
Keep handset away from the breast pocket, especially if you have a pacemaker inside you
If the signal is weak, do not use the phone. In order to pick the signal, the handset heats up more, thereby emitting more radiation
Refrain from using the phone while driving
posted by JEI @ JEIZONE at 18:30 | 
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