Cell Phone Radiation
Is Cell Phone Radiation Really Harmful?
With sixty percent of the world’s population using cell phones, recent concern has risen from the medical front concerning the harmful effects of cell phone use. All scientific research has concluded that mobile phones do produce RF energy and emit electromagnetic radiation. Studies have also concluded that high levels of RF energy can be harmful to human health. However, all scientific studies have not agreed if the levels of RF energy emitted from modern cell phones is harmful. The biggest concern with prolonged use of cell phones is the human body's absorption of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving through space at the speed of light (FCC pg34). RF (radiofrequency) energy is a form of electromagnetic energy. High levels of RF energy are used in the cooking process of common household microwave ovens. The RF energy of the microwave heats the water molecules of food creating a “thermal effect”. This same “thermal effect” is created by the cellular phone but at a much lower level than a microwave oven. This leads to the question, what level of RF energy is safe? (Radio Frequency Safety, 2010). A cell phone emits RF energy through its antenna. When a cell phone user makes a call a signal is sent to a cell phone tower. The phone adjusts the level of RF energy needed to reach the tower, requiring the cell phone RF levels to increase as distance and obstacles increase. Most newer cell phones have an antenna built into the handset, therefore, if a user has it held to their head, the energy can heat the tissue in proximity. Concern of cancerous tumors is especially present in the membrane surrounding the brain, the nerves in the ear and can even cause risk to the salivary glands (Cell Phones and Cancer Risk, 2010).
The most significant study of prolonged cell phone use was conducted by the IARC, the International Agency for Research
With sixty percent of the world’s population using cell phones, recent concern has risen from the medical front concerning the harmful effects of cell phone use. All scientific research has concluded that mobile phones do produce RF energy and emit electromagnetic radiation. Studies have also concluded that high levels of RF energy can be harmful to human health. However, all scientific studies have not agreed if the levels of RF energy emitted from modern cell phones is harmful. The biggest concern with prolonged use of cell phones is the human body's absorption of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving through space at the speed of light (FCC pg34). RF (radiofrequency) energy is a form of electromagnetic energy. High levels of RF energy are used in the cooking process of common household microwave ovens. The RF energy of the microwave heats the water molecules of food creating a “thermal effect”. This same “thermal effect” is created by the cellular phone but at a much lower level than a microwave oven. This leads to the question, what level of RF energy is safe? (Radio Frequency Safety, 2010). A cell phone emits RF energy through its antenna. When a cell phone user makes a call a signal is sent to a cell phone tower. The phone adjusts the level of RF energy needed to reach the tower, requiring the cell phone RF levels to increase as distance and obstacles increase. Most newer cell phones have an antenna built into the handset, therefore, if a user has it held to their head, the energy can heat the tissue in proximity. Concern of cancerous tumors is especially present in the membrane surrounding the brain, the nerves in the ear and can even cause risk to the salivary glands (Cell Phones and Cancer Risk, 2010).
The most significant study of prolonged cell phone use was conducted by the IARC, the International Agency for Research