Are Cell Phones Dangerous - Research Paper Example

Are Cell Phones Dangerous? Cell phones, commonly known as mobile phones, are radio devices. Just like other electrical devices such as televisions, alarm systems, computers, cordless phone sets, radios and laptops they use Radiofrequency (RF) energy to emit electromagnetic radiation. Cell phones operate at low power, usually below 1 Watt, by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation that lies in the Radiofrequency (RF) range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Scientific Research proves that Radiation which in scientific terms is called “ionization” can be moderately absorbed by the brain tissue, which then breaks molecules apart and causes cancer. Examples of these radiations include gamma rays and x-rays that lie on the high end of the electromagnetic spectrum. The major concern that raises lots of questions is that both the cell phone and its in-built antenna, which is the primary source of radiation, are held relatively close against the head causing it to damage cell tissue thereby leading to certain types of brain tumors. According to statistics, mobile phones in the United States function within a frequency range of 850 to 1900 Megahertz (MHz). In this particular range, only non-ionizing form of radiation is produced that is not harmful like x-rays at high level doses. Energy from ionizing gamma rays and x-rays gets absorbed by the tissue where it breaks down the chemical bonds resulting in damaged DNA. This leads to cancer or brain tumors. On the other hand, RF energy only produces heating of tissue. Several organizations such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) working on this issue have set limits that tell the safe level of human exposure to RF fields. Nonetheless people argue that even at low levels continuous repeated exposure may result in brain cancer. A lot of experimental studies have been conducted to find out the effects of RF energy on tissue. Although studies show that when high levels of RF energy is used on rats and other animals, it can impact the DNA, but then again it cannot be generalized to humans. Moreover, the amount of RF experienced by humans is way less than that used on rats in the experiments. Even compared to a microwave that uses RF energy to cook food, cell phones emit very less amounts of RF energy. It is common sense to know that a person is in greater risk of exposure to RF energy when his head is closer to the antenna. The amount of RF an individual is exposed to depend on several factors such as: the age of the cell phone (where an older analogue model would create higher levels of exposure), the duration and frequency of using the cell phone and most importantly the distance from the base station pushing out the signals. On May 17, 2010 National Cancer Institute issued a statement for its international study claiming that cell phone use poses no increased risk of brain tumors. The study indicated that individuals using cell phones have no increased risk of two of the most common forms of brain cancer: glioma and meningioma. In addition to this, no substantial proof was found relating to higher risk with gradually increasing number of calls, time since the start of the use of cell phones or longer call durations.[The10] After a thorough research in the four Scandinavian countries researchers there concluded that there is no increase in brain tumor diagnoses during the period from 1998 to 2003. This study was published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Although researchers from the four countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, acknowledge that their study has limitations since they only monitored a population sample of 16 million, which is less if only a small change has to be detected that occurs in specific subgroups. Moreover, it’s also possible that such brain tumors take more than five to ten years to develop which is clearly not the time duration of the study. Since the time horizon of the study is limited compared to the disease at hand, it is highly likely that minimal changes were observed by the researchers.[Liz09] Studies have mixed conclusions, one of the few latest by WHO admits that mobile phones may be a cause for increase risk of brain tumors in humans. WHO was able to change its stance after conclusive evidence was found on their part. 31 scientists from 14 countries met at WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and after reviewing all the available scientific evidence suggested that cell phone use should be classified as “possibly carcinogenic”. They are likely to be as harmful as DDT pesticide and exhaust fumes from motor vehicles. This sudden change in WHO’s stance has prompted United Nations health body to re-check its guidelines on mobile phones, but nothing definite can be proved about the link between cell phones and brain tumors. This is only a call for more research into the matter that will help clarify the misconceptions about the cell phone radiation.[Kat11] In some cases, precautionary measures have been taken to avoid any unforeseen circumstances in the future. In one of these instances, the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco voted 9-1 to make San Francisco the first city in United States that will require its retailers to post cell phone radiation levels notably inside their stores.[Gan10] In another report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was revealed in 2009 that using hands free or Bluetooth devices does not lower the effects on “cognitive distraction” or make cell phone use any safer while driving. This shows that although cell phone manufacturers repeatedly promote that using hands free devices will result in safer driving, but scientific research proves that these claims are merely to provide self satisfaction to the customers so that they do not reduce the usage of cell phones while driving. Another perspective is that there are other factors in distracting drivers that are much more dangerous than just talking on the phone. Research has proven that cell phone related accidents account for less than 1% of the total accidents, whereas more accidents occur because of adjusting the radio or CD player, talking with passengers, or eating and drinking while driving.[CTI09] The previous study could be directly challenged by this next study performed by the researchers at the University of Utah. They concluded that driving while talking on a cell phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. According to their research people who are talking on phone are as impaired as drunk drivers having a blood alcohol level of 0.08%.[Str06] The situation is taken seriously when one article claims that “mobile phones are more dangerous than smoking”. The study conducted by Dr. Vini Khurana recommends that people should avoid using cell phones wherever and whenever possible and that governments and the mobile phone manufacturers should take “immediate steps” to reduce exposure to the radiation produced by cell phones’ use. Countries like France and Germany are advising its population to lower the use of cell phones as it might be linked to serious health hazards especially for children. The study by Dr Khurana emphasized on the fact that currently 3 billion people in the world use cell phones, which is three times as many as those that smoke. Statistics show that smoking kills some five million people worldwide each year, keeping this in mind the potential threat cell phone radiation can cause is enormous.[Geo08] In a study, conducted to analyze the effects of cell phone radiation on children, it was revealed that children under the age of eight absorb twice the amount of radiation into their brain tissue as compared to adults owing to their lower skull thickness. This poses serious threats to the young generation who have been handed cell phones from their birth. The easy accessibility and use of cell phones by children under the age of ten only make them more vulnerable to brain tumors development and increasing the risk of tumors in the future because of their prolonged use.[JWi08] Therefore, it is up to parents to make sure that young children are kept away from cell phones as much as possible and instead of handing them cell phones as a means of amusement they should avoid risking the health of their own children. The best way to look at it is that cell phones are one of the best innovations of the 21st century. Their increased usage only goes on to show the fact that it has changed the lives of millions of people and only continues to affect it in a positive way. People depend on cell phone use for daily basis, be it making emergency calls, setting appointments or getting to know the weather, cell phones have become a necessity in life. It is always better to avoid risking your health from the potential harm it may cause because of its excessive and extended use. Therefore certain precautions should be taken in order to minimize the effects of these RF signals on our tissue. There are several ways to beat the odds and keep oneself safe from cell phone radiation than others. 1. Minimize usage: cell phones emit radiation as long as they are switched on and stronger signals are emitted when being used for messaging or talking; 2.Keep it out of your pocket: since cell phones are constantly emitting radiation even when not in use its best to keep them away from the body to reduce the effects of the RF signals. Cell phones also emit more radiation when you are farther away from the base station, so it’s best to call when you have strong reception; 3.Always use a headset: a headset might affect the inner ear mechanics since it emits electromagnetic waves, but it will certainly move the cell phone away from the ear; 4.Send a text instead: When sending texts, cell phone is away from the ear as compared to when making calls, so it is best to text instead of making unnecessary calls; 5.Switch to Bluetooth: A Bluetooth device emits only a minimal amount of electromagnetic energy which is a lot safer than holding the cell phone near to the ear. Although the most recent studies may support the generally held belief that radiation from cell phone is not a substantial hazard, researchers will never be able to conclusively prove that cell phones are safe. It is quite illogical to prove a negative aspect that cell phones can not cause cancer. As researchers keep on digging deeper into the matter and as new and new technology allows for more in-depth analysis, it is only a matter of time when researchers will be able to explicitly say whether cell phones cause brain tumors or not. After going through several reports, studies and researches there is still no authentic and reliable evidence to date that cell phones can cause any form of cancer or brain tumors. The thought that brain tumors caused by cell phone radiation is covered up because hundreds of millions of people use it worldwide is totally irrational. It is very important that only credible researches and authentic sources should be used when making such a decision, since many unreliable and unauthentic sources exist on the internet that cannot be validated. Opinions have to be carefully weighed against facts, since in science there is no place for opinions and only proper weight and significance should be given to research data. Such hype only creates panic on a massive scale and fulfills the interests of those spreading rumors. The true essence of this link between cell phone use and cancer could be seen from the fact that the American Cancer Society has listed it on its “Top 10 List for Cancer Myths”. Cell phones may not cause cancer at this point in time, but they certainly do other types of damages. So the lesser it is used the better it is for everyone in the society. Works Cited The10: , (Group, 2010), Liz09: , (Szabo, 2009), Kat11: , (Kelland, 2011), Gan10: , (Ganga, 2010), CTI09: , (CTIA, 2009), Str06: , (Strayer, 2006), Geo08: , (Lean, 2008), JWi08: , (Wiart, 2008), Read More