When was the last time you checked Whatsapp, Twitter or Facebook on your phone? The invariable answer will be a few minutes or even a few seconds for some. Imagining your life without a cell phone today is impossible. Depriving someone of his/her cell phone in current scenario is equivalent to a crime.
Within a decade, the number of cell phone users has shot up like crazy, with approximately 5 billion subscribers all over the world today. During the recent years, the cell phone technology has gone under some vital changes and the network providers compete by offering cheaper call rates. This, ultimately, is giving rise to the number of hours a person spends on cell phones.
Cell phone radiation and its effect
While we are engaged in a call, wave energy is emitted from our cell phones, called radio frequency wave. It is a form of an electromagnetic radiation in which exposure to it can lead to cancer and many other health issues.
Much research has been done till date; some of them supported this ugly fact of harmful cell phone radiation, while the others contradicted it. But in a recent study, it has been confirmed that prolonged exposure to cell phones can lead to brain and neck cancer. Let us look into the facts of cell phone radiations that can severely damage our brain cells.
How Does Cell Phone Work?
When a cell phone is in action, it sends a signal to the nearby cell towers in the form of RF (radiofrequency) waves. RF wave is a form of an electromagnetic wave that is lying in between the FM radio waves and microwaves.
RF waves are similar to other ionizing waves such as FM radio waves, visible light, microwaves, and heat. It does not have the capacity to directly penetrate the chemical bonds in DNA. However, if you stay exposed to it for a long time, then it may cause an issue. The main concern is that whenever we use a phone, it presses against the head that brings this cell phone radiation in direct contact with the tissues in the head. And any person can decipher that it means a huge damage to the brain cells.
Potential Cancer Risk
By now, you are aware that whenever a person uses a cell phone, the dangerous radiofrequency waves are emitted from it. These waves are generated from the antenna that is incorporated in the cell phone.
According to its mechanism, the waves near the antenna are strongest but lose strength as they move further. So, it is simple to notice that the closer the phone is to the head, the greater risk you are at.
Moreover, the tissues that are closest to the antenna are at a higher risk. However, the effect may vary with the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) of a cell phone.
What Studies Show
In 2009, some respected experts testified the link between the cell phone, rather, cell phone radiation and the deadly cancer. Dr. John Bucher said that with a prolonged exposure to RF waves, there are increasing chances of brain cancer.
According to him, children are at a greater risk than adults, as their skull configuration allows the penetration easily.
Another testimonial came from Dr. Siegal Sadetzki. According to him, he confronted many cases in which tumor appeared on the same side the cell phones were used. In 2011, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) released a statement depicting cell phones as “possible human carcinogen.”
How to Lower the RISK?
There are very simple ways to lower the exposure to radio frequency waves and prevent the harmful effect of cell phone radiation on you. With a slight shift in the pattern, you can save yourself from being the prey of cancer.
First off, the next time you plan to buy a phone, research well and go for a low SAR value. Remember, looks and features are not as important as your life.
Secondly, rather than using the headset, switch to speaker or hands-free mode. The farther you are from the cell phone, the lesser chances of you to be in direct contact with the harmful radiation.
Thirdly, if possible, opt for texting rather than calling. With so many options of staying connected available today, utilize the texting apps and diminish your calls.
Some of the countries like France, Canada, Israel, and Turkey have set guidelines for the proper use of cell phones along with limiting the age groups. It is time for the rest of the world to bind the making and usage of cell phones under proper guidelines.
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