DANGERS IN OUR POCKETS- CELLPHONES/WI-FI RADIATIONS

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Radiation is a scary word but is true that mobile phones, smartphones have some level of radiations that varies depending on the advancement in technology of the device you possess. Another fact is that radiation includes any form of electromagnetic wave i.e. microwaves, radio waves, X-rays, Ultraviolet light, gamma rays etc. all fall under the electromagnetic spectrum.

Unknowingly to some individuals and knowingly to some, getting the latest gadgets is a priority for them, especially the latest sophisticated cell phones, the devices you could charge without having to plug it into a power source, the gadgets you could share power from another when your battery is empty.

All these come with heavy prices, which are some level of radiations, cell phones emit radio-frequency (RF) energy which is a form of radiation (both harmful or not). A research institute in California, The National Cancer Institute released results of their studies which indicated that Radio Frequency does not cause damage to the DNA like Sun radiations, X-rays and some high-level microwaves signals.

"Mobile phones emit and receive radio and microwave radiation in the range of 800 to 2600 MHz depending on your country and network... Excessive exposure to ionizing radiation can damage our cells and DNA, potentially causing burns, sickness or cancer".- Physics.org

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It is not magic when you connect to other devices remotely, or to be able to call another country from a small device without the use of cables and cords, the process involved when you connect your Bluetooth device, charge your device hands free (without connecting to a port or power outlet), or to be able to tap power from a nearby device, these are forms of energy transmissions that radiates some radio frequency beyond the ordinary human eyes (observations).

Furthermore, there are radiations from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth devices as well; they all fall in the same category, too long exposure of the body or the torso to these devices can have devastating effects on the human health.

"Mobile phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues close to the phone. The amount of radiofrequency energy a mobile phone user is exposed depend on many factors as the technology of the phone, the distance between the phone and the user, the extent and type of mobile phone use and the user’s distance from cell phone towers"- Zahid Naeem

“Pulse Radiation is a wireless technology used by Bluetooth devices which are carried by microwaves signal, it is dangerous to health because their very short wavelength allows transmission of pulses with extremely rapid rise and fall time and this rate of field of change does have biological impacts on the human body”- Dr. Andrew Goldsworthy.

HAS SCIENTIFIC GUIDELINES WITH GOVERNMENT POLICIES HELPED SO FAR?

Approximately, two in every three homes owns a cell phone, but most device users might not know the risk involved in using the devices they have, except for the involvement of scientific guideline and government policy developments schemes regarding the health risk of certain duration of exposure to electromagnetic radiations that is emitted from cell phones, Wi-Fi devices, cell towers etc.

Therefore, the implementation of SAR level in cell phones was mandated, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) was stipulated by the Federal Communication Commissions (FCC) in the United States as well as other European countries.

SAR is the metric measurement of the maximum amount of microwave radiation absorbed by the body or the head. It is measured in W/Kg (Watts per kilogram), translated as the highest amount of energy absorbed by any one gram of tissue in a body or test subject. This test was adopted in the year 1996 but later criticized by the GAO (Government Accountability Office) sixteen years later (in 2012) because it did not meet some conditions.

Most smartphones/cell phones should not exceed the legal SAR limit of 1.60 W/kg (in the US), these smartphones have several transmitters that could be turned on at the same time and emit microwave radiation synchronously, Wi-Fi, Cellular, Bluetooth, airdrop features all fall in these categories and when all are switched on, could spike the SAR Value up as high as 1.59 (known case iPhone 6plus).

It became more critical as children now use cell phones, the chances of absorption of radiation in kids is twice higher than adults and most cell phones users do not adhere to safety and smart distance as stated in most user manuals for these smart devices, hence the reason for the 1996 SAR test adoption was considered redundant to an extent in the year 2012, because people violate the usage of cell phones like putting these smartphones on their bare skin, in their pockets, hence the rate of exposure to radiation increased.

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Moreover, several advanced structures, buildings, hotels, and houses are furnished with Wi-Fi antennas, this puts children/toddlers and even none-cell phone users at risk of being exposed to radiations when these devices sends and receives signals from signal towers to cell phones and smart other devices, the chances of exposures to radiation increases, therefore, affecting the health of individuals using and not using cell phones.

The science is still out on whether these advanced and sophisticated devices (cell phones) does more harm than good to its users, technology comes with a price. Regardless of all the highlighted dangers, can we really do away with technology absolutely in this era?

SOME DANGERS ASSOCIATED TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE THAT YOU KNOW AND MIGHT NOT KNOW OF

• One of the mildest consequences of heavy radiation from cell phone and other smart devices is a sleep disorder, most people do not know this, but your sleep will be out of place or maybe scanty to no-sleep at all, which could lead to acute insomnia.
• Cancer is one of the real scares of exposure to electromagnetic radiations, prolonged exposure damages the DNA which in turn leads to cancer.
• These radiations could hamper the Brain functionalities.
• It also affects both male and female reproduction system, it could render the sperm useless and that could cause infertility in men.
• In 2009, an Austrian Research center published some of their studies on radiation and how it affects children, long period of exposure to cell phone and other smart device radiation damages fetal development in children, this is caused by a huge disruption of protein synthesis caused by prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

In conclusion, limiting exposure to radiation from cell phones is possible and its advisable in order to stay cancer-free and healthy. Little or zero skin contact with these devices will go a long way to avoid the radiation from these gadgets; children could be restricted to excessive cell phone usage by their parents.

Some drugs and diets could help those already suffering from mild impacts of these radiations e.g. (sleep disorder, low sperm count etc.). But the best way to stay healthy and radiation-free is by keeping to the rules and safety measures written by manufacturers of these cell phones and other smart devices.

References

• California Has Issued a Warning About The Dangers of Cell Phone Radiation

• Cell Phone Radiation May Be Dangerous, California Health Officials Warn

• Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

• The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation

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