Cell Phone Radiation Concerns example essay topic

Hazards of Mobile Cell Phone Radiation In 1994, there were 16 million cell phone users in the U.S. alone. As of July 2002, there were more than 150 million in the U. S, and over 750 million worldwide. The word radiation is often thought of as referring to the emanations from radioactive materials and X-rays. However, when scientists use the word radiation, they are usually referring to the electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving together and can be transmitted from sources such as cell phones, television transmissions, light from the sun, as well as X-ray machines. Two types of electromagnetic radiation are ionizing and non-ionizing.

Ionizing radiation contains enough electromagnetic energy to strip atoms and molecules from the tissue and alters chemical reactions in the body. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation. We know they cause radiation, which is why we wear the lead vest when X-rays are taken of our bodies. Non Ionizing radiation is typically safe; therefore, humans take advantage of its properties. The concern of non ionizing radiation is that it could have long-term effect. It causes some heating effect, but usually not enough to cause any long-term damage to the tissue.

Microwave radiation, infrared light, and visible light are forms of non ionizing radiation. Radio-Frequency (RF) radiation is a component of non ionizing radiation. Cell phones emit RF radiation from the movement of electrical charges in the antenna. Radio-frequency radiation has the ability to heat human tissue, especially when exposed in high levels. Damage to tissue can be caused by exposure to RF radiation because the body is not equipped to dissipate excessive amounts of heat. The eyes are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of blood flow in that area.

Reported diseases and disorders associated with RF radiation are Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Brain Cancer, Brain Tumors, Epilepsy, Asthma, Leukemia, and Diabetes. When it comes to the potential risks of cell phone damage and DNA, "the question is not" If cell phone radiation can cause DNA damage! "The question is" can your body repair DNA damage without mutating genes. Studies show that DNA, single and double strand, breaks at levels below the current FCC exposure standard.

There are also numerous complications attributed to RF radiation such as blood pressure increases, migraines, heart disease, kidney damage, hair loss, disorientation, numbness, insomnia, swelling, and twitching. How do we reduce the potential risks of RF radiation exposure, particularly in cell phones? The number one answer is to use a hands-free head set. Shielding devices are available from certain manufacturers. You may also want to purchase a phone that places the antenna as far away from the user as possible. For some consumers, limiting the usage to a few minutes is an option.

Use the cell phone in open spaces as often as possible, and limit phone calls in enclosed places. It is recommended that children do not use cell phones. Actual photos have been presented that compare radiation entering an adult brain and radiation entering a five-year-old child's brain. The depth of penetration to the brain is more in the child than the adult.

The manufacturers and cell phone industry basically dismisses all current research. The industry is terrified of liability should significant health risks be found. They say the studies are poorly conducted, irrelevant, or use whatever argument not to receive media attention. The Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CITA) discourages additional research. Every cell phone model has to be tested and meet Federal Communication Commission (FCC) standards before it can be sold in the United States. The manufacturers primarily do testing themselves, which creates some uncertainty about the results.

The exposure limit is based on the overall heating effects of radio frequency energy and the specific absorption rate (SAR), which measures the energy absorbed by the human body. Cell phone are allowed to emit a maximum SAR of 1.6 watts per kilogram as measured over one gram of body tissue. In 2000, manufacturers were ordered to place labels on cell phones disclosing radiation levels. Education is the key to determining if cell phone radiation concerns are worth the risk to you as an individual. At this point there is very little work on cell phone safety being conducted in the U.S. Almost all the major research is going on in Europe.

Keep informed of the findings involved in the research. The more you know the better off you are. The computer offers many websites that lists health concerns, statistics, scientific studies, and agencies to contact if you have questions or concerns. Studies show that significant high levels of RF radiation can interfere with electronic devices. This problem is more likely to occur with pulsed energy, which characterizes digital cellular telephones. Studies have shown that hand held cellular phones can effect the operation of heart pacemakers if the phone is placed directly over the device and there have been reports of interference with hearing aid.

Individuals with electronic medical devices should consult with their physician and / or the phone manufacturer to determine what precautions should be taken. This is the reason for the non-use of cellular phones in hospitals today. Laboratory rodent analysis plays a key role in determining potential radiation exposure to humans. In a test consisting of six laboratory rats, three rats were exposed for two hours to a power level of 0.1 watt of power. The other three rats were not exposed. Cell phones typically operate at a peak output of 0.6 watts.

Examination of the animal's brain tissue 50 days later revealed that up to 2 percent of the brain cells of the rats that received cell phone radiation exposures of 0.1 watt were dead or dying. The other group of rats showed no brain cell death. Cautions were noted that humans could face negative consequences from cell phone use in the long run. Some countries use high-tech magnetic wood blocks to line its' building walls to battle against cell phone users on their premises. These wooden blocks absorb the radiation signal and make it impossible to use a mobile phone in any room lined with it. They are illegal in the United States, Britain, and Australia.

Levi's is preparing to launch a pair of "anti radiation" trousers. The trousers will include a mobile phone pocket with "radiation-reducing" lining. Today it is still unclear if cell phones actually cause any significant damage to the human body. Studies continue to contradict one another on the issue. Additional studies may shed some light on the true effects of cell phone radiation, but will likely confuse consumers even further.

In the meantime, million of cell phone users take whatever risks may be involved in using the devices. Some have called the use of cell phones the biggest biological experiment in history.