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Radiation Dangers With Using Mobile Phones

There are many reports about the dangers of cell phone radiation based upon studies that are much debated about. This article will cover some of the potential dangers of radiation linked to mobile cell phone usage, what to be aware of and how to protect oneself from potential harm or damage.

  1. Cell Phone Safety

    • Cell phones do in fact transmit a certain amount of electromagnetic radiation. The primary concerns are how much transmitted radiation from the cell phone to the person's head is considered unsafe and if there are any long-term negative effects of this type of radiation exposure.

    Radiation

    • The two types of electromagnetic radiation are Ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation can take the atoms and molecules from human tissue and change the chemical reactions inside the body. X-rays and Gamma rays are two examples of ionizing radiation. It is known that they both cause damage--for example, lead vests are used by patients during X-ray examinations for protection. Non-ionizing radiation is usually considered safe and does not seem to cause any long-term damage to human tissue. Microwaves, lights, radio-frequency energy, televisions, computers and photocopy machines are some sources of non-ionizing radiation ("How Cell-Phone Radiation Works," electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-radiation2.htm).

    Evidence

    • Despite the fact that the FDA states there is no scientific evidence showing any negative health effects connected to the use of mobile phones, this does not rule out the possibility that there exists the potential of harm from cell phone usage (Lauran Neergaard, "Cell Phone Safety," sarshield.com/news/cellphonesafety.html). Exposure to high levels of radiation can damage human tissue much in the same way a microwave cooks food internally. The human body is not able to sustain and disperse such large amounts of heat.

    Disease and Cell Phones

    • Though it is claimed that cell phones may not cause immediate damage to human tissue, scientists are still debating what long-term effects, if any, of prolonged exposure to the non-ionizing radiation transmitted from cell phones are (Marguerite Reardon, "Are cell phones safe? Researchers still uncertain," news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10351577-266.html). Some potential consequences to mobile phone radiation are Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, headaches, fatigue, brain tumors, leukemia and cancer (William Thomas, "Cell Phone Faqs," willthomasonline.net/willthomasonline/Cell_Phones_FAQ.html, "How Cell-Phone Radiation Works," electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-radiation2.htm).

    Safety Tips

    • If there is even a small chance of harming your health from cell phones, then take steps to ensure your health. To play it safe you can do the following: use the cell phone outdoors where radiation can be dispersed more easily, reduce your usage indoors where radiation is more concentrated, limit the amount of cell phone time children have and use a Bluetooth or earpiece to limit the contact your cell phone has with your head.

    Conclusion

    • Because different studies yield different results, it is difficult to rest on one conclusive answer when dealing with the topic of cell phones and health. To date, there is no concrete evidence of the dangers of radiation in connection with mobile phones. Because of this, studies are ongoing.

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