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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Mobile Phone Health Issues mobile phone tips




Mobile Phone Health Issues





 





    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..
































 
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.



 
 
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.






 
 
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



 
 
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.



 
 
CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING







    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:







  • 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.




  • 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.

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