Cell Phones: The Health Risks - Term Paper Example

Cell Phones: The Health Risks The use of mobile phones over a few past decades has increased tremendously which can be attributed to significant advancements in the wireless technology. In the year 2010 in the United States of America the number of people that are using cell phones have increased tremendously and is presently estimated to be at 303 million people according to the statistics from International Telecommunication Union. Cell phones have been speculated to cause various health implication like the cause of cancer although the extent of damage of these cellular phones on human body as well as the duration that it takes for the health effects to be seen is not yet established (Burgess 5). Cell phone technology have improved over the years and research have shown that cell phones emit a form of energy which is known as the radiofrequency energy that takes the form of the non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation which is absorbed by the body by the various body tissues located closest to where the phone is held by the user. The cell phone user is exposed to different amounts of radiation depending on the level of technology of the phone, the extent to which the phone user uses the device, the distance between the user and the tower of the cell phone and the distance that exists between the user and the phone’s antenna. Radio frequency radiations are usually categorized into two main types which include the ionizing radiation like the x-ray, radon and cosmic rays as well as the non-ionizing radiation like the radiofrequency and the Gamma rays. The ionizing radiation has been proven to cause cancer but the non-ionizing radiation still holds some controversies whether it does really cause cancer or not. A major study known as the Interphone study that was carried out in five European countries have discovered a possible increase in the risk of contracting Acoustic Neuroma after exposure to the electromagnetic radiation from cellular phones for a period not less than ten years of cellular phone usage. There is a possible association between brain cancer and transmitters since this study revealed that those people who lived in close proximity to a transmitter were found to have both child and adult leukemia in children and adults respectively (Tamar, Page and Laster 45). There have been many controversies concerning the danger of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the cellular phones. The World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that there was an absence of proven risks concerning the health risks that occurs from the exposure of an individual to the non-ionizing radiation from the cellular phones. It argued that the public was well protected from such harmful radiations despite the increased concerns from the public that there were cases of negative effects from the radiations. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) published an international standard which was based on the known adverse effects of the non-ionizing radiation which were short term and included the stimulation of the secondary nerves as well as the muscles, various shocks and burns, and the increase in the tissue temperatures above the optimal temperatures that allow the normal functioning of the body system. According to the research carried out by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation, a small increase in temperature that result from the absorption of the electromagnetic radiations causes damage of the modification of the neuromuscular role as well as the alteration of the reproductive and the immune system (Carlo and Martin 24). Many research that have been carried out indicate that the radiofrequency have a negative impact on the cognitive function of human beings. It was observed that volunteers in the research had a longer response time in the various cognitive functions that were identified and that the researchers identified effects of radiofrequency such as headaches, fatigue and dizziness. The electromagnetic radiations have a significant impact on sleep in that the people who use cell phones more frequently have little sleep. Electromagnetic radiations from the cellular phones have also been known to have various reproductive implications in that the men who are known to use cell phones more frequently have been found to have reduced density of the sperm and the negative effects in the characteristics of the sperm motility which can be attributed to the heating effect of the electromagnetic radiation from the cellular phones. In women the recorded effects included the occurrence of spontaneous abortions and pre mature birth (Callahan 16). Researchers continue to offer contradictory research concerning the effects of the electromagnetic radiations from cellular phones on the users. Bodies like the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) demands a consistent and more convincing effects of the effects of electromagnetic radiations on the health of phone users while the World Health Organization have insisted that there were no known effects of these radiations on health. With the advancement in the technology more non-ionizing radiations are likely to be emitted which will have negative impacts on the general population since the number of people who are using cellular phones is on the increase. The risk is even more serious on young children whose brains are still developing thus making them more susceptible to the effects of these electromagnetic radiations. In the light of the above, it is therefore important to practice the precautionary principle which states that when there is no scientific prove on the negative effects of the electromagnetic radiation it is important to practice caution in order to reduce the possible effects of the radiations (Tamar, Page and Laster 45). In conclusion, the use of cellular phones will continually increase as the technology in the phone manufacture continues to improve. The frequency with which the general population will be exposed to these radiations will increase over time due to various factors like the increase in the access of cellular phones, and the frequency to which people use their phones. It is important for people to practice precautionary principle in order to mitigate for the possible negative effects that arise from the use of cellular phones. Works cited Burgess, Adam. Cellular Phones, Public Fears, and a Culture of Precaution. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2004. Print. Callahan, Joan R. 50 Health Scares That Fizzled. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2011. Print. Carlo, George L and Martin Schram. Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age : an Insider's Alarming Discoveries About Cancer and Genetic Damage ; with a New Preface by the Authors. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2002. Print. Tamar Berman, Page Tom and Laster Richard. Cellular Antennas: Applying Democratic Principles with Precaution. Environmental Policy and Law, 37/1 (2007) 45-75. Ios Press Read More