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Can your cell phone take you closer to cancer? Some experts feel cell phones haven't been around long enough for any conclusive evidence. Others don't think they're worth the risk. While opinion may be divided on the impact of cell phone radiation, doctors believe the heat generated during frequent and long duration usage could be a bigger culprit. The radio frequencies that mobile phones use are in the non-ionising radiation category. Also, they emit about 0.2-0.5 watts of radiation - a very low amount. The only probable harmful effect they have is that the radiation causes the area surrounding the cell phone to heat up slightly. A cellular phone emits radiation at 900MHz of Radio Frequency or RF. Exposure to these RF signals can heat up the tissue around the ear lobe. Complaints investigated by researchers have included headaches, loss of concentration, short-term memory loss, skin irritation, fatigue and even tumours. With cell phone usage rising dramatically, developed countries have set down standards that handset manufacturers have to comply with. Radiation is measured by a unit called Specific Absorption Rate or S-A-R and the widely accepted safe limit for SAR is 1.6 watts per kilogram. Most handsets being sold today emit radiation well below this limit. But in India, where over 7 million people use cell phones, there are still no mandatory standards. The phones sold in India are not made specially to suit India. They're all made for the world markets. International markets have already imposed some standards for cell phone manufacturers - and they all conform to those standards. Cell phones can also interfere with the performance of electronic equipment like pacemakers and hearing aids and should be held away from them. There is also a proposal to ban cell phone usage at petrol pumps. Most manuals provide guidelines about proper use of handsets and should be read carefully. Another precaution, now available commonly, is to use a hands-free kit. Cell phone damage can be divided into two groups. One is malignant forms like brain tumours, leukaemia or enlargement of salivary glands - all these involve some sort of malignant formation being triggered around body tissue. Second - are benign effects like road traffic accidents, memory loss, restless sleeping and psychological disturbances.
Many cell phone manufacturers now contribute to research on safety issues in the West. But in India, awareness is still low. Due to a large grey market, many users don't even get manuals along with their handsets. But here are some tips on safe usage of cell phones:
Alternate the side on which you hold your handset while talking.
Try and keep conversations brief.
Avoid cell phones if you use a pacemaker.
Don't keep your handset in the chest pocket.
Never use the cell phone while driving - this is in fact a traffic offence.
While a lot of research is still needed to reach any conclusions about cell phone hazards, doctors advise that it's better to just be safe than sorry. |
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