HARMS OF MOBILE PHONES

HARMS OF USING YOUR MOBILE PHONE

We all have been listening and studying that using mobile phones is harmful for our health. But is it really so? Yes it is, with human lives seeing and undergoing tremendous changes in terms of lifestyle, and with increasing usage of mobile phones by us, we are at the end harming our health. 

Mobile phone as a device is such a great invention as it helps us to stay connected with our near and loved ones who are near or far. But this great invention is also harmful to our body. We cannot escape the usage of mobile as it has become indispensable part in our life, but we can still reduce its harmful effects. The radiation of mobile phones is the major cause of health problems. This can be prevented and reduced by taking certain precautions.

But first the question is How exactly does mobile radiation cause health problems?

Mobile phones emit electromagnetic radiation having health effects which can be divided into thermal and non-thermal. Thermal effects refer to heating effect which you observe if you hold the phone for long near your ear.

Non-thermal effects on the cells, genes and the DNA and are more harmful than thermal effects.

Excessive use of mobiles can lead to headache, sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, memory loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and increased risk of brain cancer.

Are these mobile radiations more harmful for any particular demographic?

Children are more vulnerable due to a developing immune system and thinner skulls which allows radiation to penetrate deeper.  Women run the risk of health problems like hormonal imbalances, miscarriages, breast and ovarian cancer as they tend to spend more time at home and are exposed continuously.

Is there any solid evidence to back the findings that these radiations are harmful to people?

There are several national and international studies where scientists have found a strong correlation between health problems and exposure to microwaves from mobile phones and mobile towers. Prof Girish Kumar from IIT Bombay had sent a report to Department of Telecommunications (DOT), India which has more than 200 references from peer reviewed publications in the end. 

What precautions can you take to reduce your exposure to the radiation from mobile phones?

Some precautions that you can take:

• Limit your use, talk for short durations and switch sides during long conversations. SMS/IM chat whenever possible.
• Use the land-line, whenever possible
• Use speakerphone or wired hands free, but keep the phone at least 1 feet away.
• When not in use, keep the mobile phone away from your body as they still continue to emit some radiation while trying to communicate with the base station by sending at least one pulse per minute. Do not keep it in your pocket, under your pillow etc.
• Keep your phone switched off if possible.
• Use cell phones with lower Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values. One can find the SAR value of a phone by simply searching- <Company Name> <Model No.> SAR. The lower the SAR value, the less dangerous it is. Ideally go for a phone which has SAR value – 0.2 – 0.8 W/Kg

TO CHECK YOUR PHONE SAR LEVEL NOW - PLEASE CLICK HERE.