MOBILE PHONES AND HEALTH

ARTICLE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
MOBILE PHONES - HEALTH CONCERNS
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Mobile telephones, are now an
integral part of modern telecommunications.
Mobile phones are
very popular because they allow
people to maintain continuous
communication without hampering
freedom of movement.
Several important considerations
must be kept in mind when
evaluating possible health effects of
RF [Radio Frequency] fields. One is
the frequency of operation. Current
mobile phone systems operate at
frequencies between 800 and 1800
MHz. It is important not to confuse
such RF fields with ionizing
radiation, such as X-rays or gamma
rays. Unlike ionizing radiation, RF
fields cannot cause ionization or
radioactivity in the body. Because of
this, RF fields are called nonionizing.
RF fields penetrate exposed
tissues to depths that depend on
the frequency - up to a centimetre
at the frequencies used by mobile
phones. RF energy is absorbed in
the body and produces heat, but the
body’s normal thermoregulatory
processes carry this heat away. All
established health effects of RF
exposure are clearly related to
heating. While RF energy can
interact with body tissues at levels
too low to cause any significant
heating, no study has shown
adverse health effects at exposure
levels below international guideline
limits.
Most studies have examined
the results of short-term, whole
body exposure to RF fields at levels
far higher than those normally
associated with wireless communications.
There has been a lot of
speculation about the possible “ill”
effects of using mobile phones in the
following areas but latest information
available proves otherwise:
_ Cancer: Current scientific
evidence indicates that exposure to
RF fields, such as those emitted by
mobile phones and their base
stations, is unlikely to induce or
promote cancers. Several studies
of animals exposed to RF fields
similar to those emitted by mobile
phones found no evidence that RF
causes or promotes brain cancer.
Three recent epidemiological
studies found no convincing
evidence of increase in risk of cancer
or any other disease with use of
mobile phones.
_ Other health risks: Scientists
have reported other effects of using
mobile phones including changes in
brain activity, reaction times, and
sleep patterns. These effects are
small and have no apparent health
significance. More studies are in
progress to try to confirm these
findings.
_ Driving: Research has clearly
shown an increased risk of traffic
accidents when mobile phones
(either handheld or with a “handsfree”
kit) are used while driving.
Yet, there IS a concern. A social
concern. Mobiles phones are being
grossly misused these days and the
society should wake up to address
this looming threat. After all this
invention was made to serve
humans in a more useful manner.
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