PHONE USE AND YOUR HEALTH: HOW PHONE RADIATION AFFECTS YOU

 

There are myths and speculations surrounding the use of mobile phones and the effects they have on our health. Many of them are far from the truth, many hinge on fear and arise from ‘common sense’.

 

What then is true?

 

Phones give off radiofrequency(RF) waves, which is a form of non-ionising radiation.

Radiation is classified into ionizing and non-ionising based on the ability of their photons to effect change in the state of atoms and molecules. Other examples of non-ionising radiation include visible light, infrared, microwaves and FM radio waves.

 

They are not as strong as their counterparts which are capable of damaging DNA in cells, thereby causing cancer. Examples of which are x-rays, UV-rays and gamma rays.

 

 

The amount of RF waves given off by a phone depends on a range of factors from the phone’s make/manufacturer to others like distance from cell towers, closeness to the body(e.g when making calls) and amount of time spent on the phone(calls in particular).

 

Though exposure to RF waves has been shown to be capable of heating up body tissues, it is important to know that phones emit them at a much lower level than is able to do same. Also that the biological effects of a phenomenon do not necessarily correspond to health effects.

 

 

Conclusions from lab studies with rats that showed risks of tumours and other conditions attributed to RF exposure, could not be drawn because the amount of exposure used in the rat studies were somewhat proportional to microwaving a human being-something outside the range of what any phone is capable of.

 

 

A lot of studies have been conducted on RF exposure, most of which had different limitations. Check these articles for more detailed information:

American Cancer Society on cellphones

 Mobile phones and your health-Better Health Channel

The truth about cell phone radiation-Forbes

All however, border on cell phone use as ‘possibly’ carcinogenic and have no statements substantiating it as studies are still ongoing.

 

As for 5G networks, they operate on higher energy than the older generations(4G,3G,2G) but still use RF waves(non-ionizing).

 

 

If you’re still wary of RF exposure

 

·         Keep calls short or text when possible

·         Use Bluetooth devices or corded earpieces

·         Use speaker modes or video chat features

 

 

 

The distancing involved in the above practices and the properties of Bluetooth devices and earpieces are very good precautionary measures.

 

 

 

 

What phone use has actually done

 

1.      Road accidents: There is a direct link between phone usage while driving and increased accident rates. Much so that hand-use of phones while driving is banned in pretty much all parts of the world.

2.      Other accidents: RF radiations are far from best of friends with flammables and are a major cause of fire accidents in homes and places like gas stations. These accidents more often than not result in death or severe burns. It is advised to turn off phones or put them in airplane mode in certain places: home kitchens, gas stations et cetera.

 

 

How much of this did you know before now? How much do you use your phones?

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