In my opinion it is the old debate, that mobile phones have harmful effects and still it is without conclusion. Mobile phones and cancer is the debate that has been on for over a decade now still it is without any definite conclusion. While studies show an association, albeit weak, with some types of brain tumors, an equal number of studies have failed to substantiate that claim. The latest is the warning given by Dr Ronald Herberman, Director of the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute, USA, about excessive use of mobile phones. Particularly children are very much at risk than young generation.
Mobile phones and personal communications systems are low-power radio devices that transmit and receive signals in the radio frequency (RF) range 900 and/or 1800 megahertz through a network of base stations. Most countries have brought in regulations to limit public exposure to RF radiation.
These are based on the recommendations of International Commission for Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), an independent science organisation. It evaluates the hazards of electromagnetic radiation, of which RF is a part, and develops guidelines. Moreover, the governments of different countries also decided to adopt these guidelines in recent times.
What is RF radiation?
Exposure to RF radiation can occur from the base station, and mobile phones. A base station has a tower mounted on a building at heights between 15 and 30 metres. Tower may be installed on ground but its height is designed to cover the area of coverage as per design and plan.
Normally the towers carry three-directional antennae separated by 120 degrees to cover the phones in a given geographical area (cell) managed by a particular service provider. At the base of the tower, there is the instrument room housing low power radio transmitters and receivers. A base station will have one or more transmitter, depending upon the number of phones in the cell. The outputs from these transmitters are combined and fed to the antennae. Most base stations radiate about 20 to 40 watts of RF power. The intensity of the radiation decreases at a distance of few meters from the antenna. Because normally base stations are located in populated areas, those living in the path of the beam are exposed to radiation and therefore they are at risk of damage to their bodies.
The mobile phone also has a radio transmitter and an antenna. The transmitter generates RF energy of one to two watts. This energy is radiated through the antenna of the mobile. The antenna is built into the every cell phone and it is not apparent in most cases. Because the phone is held close to the head, much of this energy is absorbed by the brain.
What are the possible effects of RF radiation exposure?
The ICNIRP says the only established effect of RF energy absorption by the human body is the rise in tissue temperature. In fact, this is the mechanism of microwave cooking. The RF energy absorbed is expressed in terms of “specific absorption rate” (SAR), measured in units of watts per kg (W/kg) of tissue. If the heat generated is small, the body’s thermoregulatory mechanism can dissipate it without causing adverse effects. If the temperature exceeds this capacity, (about 1 to 2 degree celsius), tissue damage may occur. Penetration of the blood-brain barrier, disturbed neuromuscular functions, lens opacity and reduced sperm production are effects observed in animal experiments and human volunteers exposed to high RF radiation levels, known as 'thermal effects'.
This thermal increase occurs when whole body energy absorption exceeds a SAR of 4 W/kg. Taking this value as threshold for harmful effects, ICNIRP provides a safety factor of 50 to derive safe limits for exposure to general public. If only a part of the body is exposed, a higher value of SAR can be permitted. The ICNIRP has recommended RF exposure levels for general public, in terms of power densities, as 4.5 W/m2 and 9.0 W/m2 respectively for the 900 and 1800 MHZ frequency radiations. Exposures below these levels are not too much harmful. Recent surveys have shown that RF exposure from base stations in areas accessible to public are normally much lower than these guidelines. However, the actual levels depend upon the number of channels, total power radiated, multiplicity of the towers in the neighborhood, etc. No surveys have been conducted in developing countries. The responsibility for demonstrating safety of base stations lies with service providers only. There is no governmental check to control the emission of radiations.
The ICNIRP specify that to keep the exposure below harmful levels, the peak power level should not result in a SAR of over 2 W/kg of the brain tissue. It is necessary that mobile sets being made in the world would be manufactured in compliance with this standard and certify their products before authorization for use and make that data available for the user.
The question of some non-thermal effects, including cancer, occurring at much lower levels remains unresolved
You have observed in case of microwave ovens that the radiations are creating heat to cook the food. Similarly radiation from cell phones is dangerous, perhaps causing brain tumors or other cancers, maybe even cooking your brain like an egg or like popcorn. As I have watched a video where four mobile phones were placed on the table like flower petals with top side towards each other. Corn was placed in the center and mobile were lying around that corn. Another mobile was used to make a call and then hold and make the call on other again holding the call and calling the third & similarly call was made on the fourth one. When all mobiles were ringing ( in other words receiving signals) corn was converted into pop corn due to radiation and heat resulting from radiation. I have also doubt that mobile phone companies are paying to scientist to convey that mobiles are not harmful but it is entirely beyond reality. Most people have no knowledge of science other than what they hear on the news, so we have a whole population growing up with this understanding. Is the fear justified? Do cell phones have the potential to cause physical harm, or are they completely safe? Or, like so many other questions, is the truth somewhere in the middle?
Let's take a closer look at exactly what kind of threat is being reported in the media. In a recent article on CNN.com it is quoted by Dr. Debra Davis, Director of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Environmental Oncology, that "You're just roasting your bone marrow" and asking "Do you really want to play Russian roulette with your head?" The article goes on to give five recommendations for limiting your exposure to cell phone radiation: Using a headset, using the speakerphone, getting a land line phone, and so on. CNN followed up with another article with more extracts from research of Dr. Davis, this time saying that children are especially at risk because their brains are still developing, so they should be allowed to use cell phones in emergencies only. It is very important as we are neglecting the increasing use of cell phones by our teenagers. Even children of age 12 or lower are using mobiles. In Asian countries mobile companies/operators are offering hours of mobile usage for pennies on daily or monthly basis for increasing their revenues. There are no awareness campaigns in our society and most of our people are not aware of these facts. As the director of an oncology center, she has all kinds of experience treating cancer patients, and since she's going on CNN to talk about cell phone risks she must have a lot of experience dealing with cancer caused by cell phones. Right? Well, you'd think, but apparently CNN is not quite that particular about their guests. Dr. Davis' Ph.D. is in "science studies", whatever that is, and she is neither a medical doctor nor does she have any specialization in physical sciences like radiation. Now, I'm not trying to disrespect Dr. Davis — she has a fine background loaded with experience and all sorts of publications and accolades in her field — but I do want to draw attention to the fact that when CNN brings a doctor onto television to talk about a health problem, you shouldn't take anything for granted. You're the one who assumed that she treats cancer patients and has seen harmful effects from cell phone radiation. The fact is that the only danger Dr. Davis actually cited was that "since cell phones have only been in widespread use for 10 years or so, the long-term effects of their radiation waves on the brain has yet to be determined." Neither she, nor CNN, cited a single case of harm being caused by a cell phone, nor did they present any theoretical arguments indicating any reasonable danger.
Dr. Davis is also dramatically wrong on one very significant point: That there has not yet been time for long-term studies to have been conducted or that the question of cell phones and cancer is otherwise insufficiently studied. In fact, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of a immense study in Denmark that followed the cancer histories of 420,000 cell phone users over 13 years. You'd think that someone in Dr. Davis' position would know about that, or at least take the slightest trouble to search for studies before going on CNN to proclaim that no such studies exist. The study's main interest was to research about increased incidences of brain & nervous system cancers, salivary gland cancer, and leukemia.
In today's scenario mobile plays a very important role in our daily life. It is very beneficial for us to deliver messages with in a seconds. But no one thinks of it's disadvantage. How harmful it is for our health? According to a brain surgeon, mobile phones poses a bigger health risk than smoking cigarettes.
Dr Vini Khurana announced his findings after reviewing some of the health reports into mobile phones, but without carrying out new research.
He claimed that the risk of brain tumours doubles for mobile phone users, but that such tumours take 10 years to develop.
"It is anticipated that this danger has far broader public health ramifications than asbestos and smoking, and directly concerns all of us, particularly the younger generation, including very young children," said Dr Khurana.
"There is a significant and increasing body of evidence for a link between mobile phone usage and certain brain tumours." However, the findings have been disputed by the Mobile Operators Association (MOA).
tudies have shown mobile phone radiation does produce biological changes in humans - such as changes in brain temperature and activity as well as blood pressure changes. Others have shown they cause an increased incidence of illness in laboratory animals - for example cancer in mice.
Harmful Vibrations
I was not cognizant of harmful effects of radiation, when I took my first cell phone in 1998. It was a proud moment. I was one of the first users in India and I loved to show it off on my belt. One day I wanted to check that mobile for emissions of radiations which could affect my health. That time, I was doing research on energy measurements using Lecher Antenna. To my dismay, I found harmful vibrations coming out from my own cell phone. If some one else held it, these vibes affected him too. I began my research on the harmful effects of radiation from cell phone. By then I had mastered use of an energy machine called Acmograph. With this you can measure all kinds of positive and negative vibrations. When I measured the vibes from my cell phone, I found that it blocked my resource energy and management energies. Resource energy is the inflowing new energy to vitalize your body cells and other vital organs. I also found it blocked my out flowing healing energy. This results in accumulation of toxins and prevention of natural cures. Your body uses this energy for cellular regeneration and evacuation of dead cells. I found that one of the harmful effects of radiation from cell phones is that it also blocked my life energy. I then checked the equilibrium of my cosmo-telluric energy at 15.3 Lambda by the Lecher Antenna. I found that my mobile phone blocked this energy too. To get a good energy reading on the Acmograph, you should get a value higher than 35. This you measure by scanning only with the Acmos Lecher Antenna. As a result of the harmful effects of radiation, my energy readings were far below 15. When I removed the cell phone and again measured the energies, I found that all three of these energies measured above 35. Then I tested the effects on other persons using mobiles. When I measured them with cell phones, their energy readings were 5, 10, and never above 15. This confirmed that cell phone cuts energy channels. This proved that cell phone harms by its harmful effects of mobile radiation. I consulted other scientists and sought their opinion. None used cell phones. They said that it slowly kills any one's life energies. They too had tested with Lecher Antenna the harmful effects of cell phone radiation. I met more energy scientists who also confirmed this. Their unanimous finding is that cell phone causes many diseases.
Cell phones emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation and several past studies have proved this can be a known carcinogen and can cause tumors.
Cell phones emit two types of electro-magnetic fields (EMF); microwaves from the antenna and extremely-low fields (ELF) from the body of the phone, which is the radiofrequency type of radiation.
Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a component of the World Health Organization, has classified radiofrequency fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Several international studies show that there is a link between brain and salivary gland cancer with increased cell phone use. But according to the World Health Organization more long-term health studies need to be conducted. “Our body reacts to EMF as potentially harmful,” Blank told The Christian Post. “The accepted safe level for RF range is 0.4W/kg and most public exposure levels of cell towers and antennas are at 0.8W/kg based on a SAR (specific absorption rate) of 4W/kg as the level at which adverse effects are said to be determined.”
Scientist Dr. Martin Blank, associate professor of physiology and cellular biophysics at Columbia University in Manhattan has been researching electro-magnetic fields (EMF) for over 25 years.
Yet, there are other opinions within the cellular industry depicting that RF radiation levels are below the dangers levels. Dan Collins, chief technical officer from the Pinnacle Telecom Group, a New Jersey based independent firm providing technical services nationwide to the telecommunications industry said that all cell towers and cell phones comply with FCC regulations.
“The latest reports from the World Health Organization are inclusive and a lot more research has to be done about any carcinogenic effects from cell phones or antennas,” Collins explained to The Christian Post. “SAR rates are higher in smart phones, but we do not know if that is harmful. There are 4-5 billion cell phone users worldwide and smart phones just came out in the market, so we do not have all the data yet on these devices. We would need over 10 years to really look into any harmful effects from this technology.”
Dr. George Carlo, a public health scientist and founder of the Science and Public Policy Institute in Washington D.C. says children are particularly susceptible to the radiation generated by cell phones because their brains are still growing.
“Cell phones can disrupt cardiac pacemakers, it compromises the blood-brain barrier and most startling it inflicts genetic damage and that is a known diagnostic marker for cancer,” said Carlo.
According to a nationwide study, the Global System for Mobile Communication may be connected with an increase in brain tumors, seizures and headaches (The Lancet 2000; 356:1833-1836).
The FDA and the FCC recently suggested ways to reduce radiofrequency exposure by using a hands-free device or cut down on phone usage.
“It is utterly irresponsible for the wireless industry to continue their misrepresentation of the science to facilitate misleading claims about safety,”
With practically everyone owning a mobile phone and spending a considerable amount of time on them each day, it is wise to ask the question: Are mobile phones dangerous to one’s health? While there are no decisive answers at the moment, there are conflicting studies. Some show that mobile phones are safe and others show that mobile phones may pose a health risk. Mobile phones may be considered potentially unsafe in a few ways. First, they send and receive high frequency radio waves. Second, these devices have batteries in them that may be unstable in extreme heat or in certain circumstances where a battery or other part is defective. However, It should be noted that such occurrences are extremely rare. The jury is still out on whether or not mobile phones are actually dangerous to people’s health. While the short term risks are extremely low or non existent, the fact that millions have used mobile phones in the last decade have caused moderate length and long term risks to remain unproven. Here are some persuade for and against mobile phone safety according to facts that the BBC printed in November 2004.
Arguments Supporting the Belief that Mobile Phones are Dangerous.
There are a few arguments that support the theory that mobile phones are dangerous to the user’s health:
1. While the evidence is still not clear, it is possible that using a mobile phone on a regular basis can increase the susceptibility to brain tumors or brain cancer by 2.5 times.
2. Mobile phones use magnetic fields to operate. Studies based on research in the past have shown that in certain circumstances, magnetic fields can affect living cells.
3. Those that spend long periods of time talking on a mobile phone have mentioned fatigue, a loss of concentration, and sometimes headaches.
4. It is possible that radio waves that mobile phones give off can heat up and damage tissue.
Arguments Supporting the Belief that Mobile Phones are Safe
1. Radio waves emitted when a mobile phone is used are not hot enough to affect or damage near by tissue.
2. Regarding brain tumor incidence, researchers admit that the evidence still is not clear as to whether tumors or cancer are directly related to mobile phone use.
3. Factors regarding loss of concentration, fatigue, or headaches are likely false since they cannot be replicated in the laboratory.
4. Magnetic fields that a mobile phone emits are extremely small and not likely to affect living cells in harmful ways.
Some Tips on Mobile Phone Safety
How To Protect Yourself from harms of mobile phones:
Obviously, the jury is still out on whether or not mobile phones are dangerous to health. If someone feels threatened by the potential health aspects of using a mobile phone, the easiest way to avoid this threat is to simply not use these phones. While extremely convenient, our society lived comfortably without mobiles in the past. If someone would like to have the convenience of a mobile phone, but also wants to lessen their risk, there are a few simple things he/she can do.
Use a headset to keep the mobile phone away from the head
Only talk for short periods of time on a mobile phone. Use a land line for longer conversations
- Avoid speaking for long periods on mobile phones.
- Use Text Messages.
- Don't carry the mobile phone in the belt around the waist. It is needless to expose the deposits of bone marrow in the hips, and the testicles to the microwaves.
- The best place to carry the phone is in a military trousers leg pocket.
- Use left ear to attend mobile calls.
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