There's a lot of talk in the news these days about whether or not cell phones emit enough
radiation to cause adverse health effects. The concern is that cell phones are often placed close to
or against the head during use, which puts the radiation in direct contact with the tissue in the
head. There's evidence supporting both sides of the argument.
When talking on a cell phone, a transmitter takes the sound of your voice and encodes it onto a
continuous sine wave.A sine wave is just a type of continuously varying wave that radiates out
from the antenna and fluctuates evenly through space. Sine waves are measured in terms of
frequency. Once the encoded sound has been placed on the sine wave, the transmitter sends the
signal to the antenna, which then sends the signal out.
Cell phones have low-power transmitters in them. A handheld cell phone operates on about 0.75
to 1 watt of power. The position of a transmitter inside a phone varies depending on the
manufacturer, but it is usually in close proximity to the phone's antenna. The radio waves that
send the encoded signal are made up of electromagnetic radiation propagated by the antenna.
The function of an antenna in any radio transmitter is to launch the radio waves into space; in the
case of cell phones, these waves are picked up by a receiver in the cell-phone tower.
When talking on a cell phone, most users place the phone against the head. In this position, there
is a good chance that some of the radiation will be absorbed by human tissue. All cell phones
emit some amount of electromagnetic radiation. Given the close proximity of the phone to the
head, it is possible for the radiation to cause some sort of harm to the user. What is being debated
in the scientific and political arenas is just how much radiation is considered unsafe, and if there
are any potential long-term effects of cell-phone radiation exposure.
There are two types of electromagnetic radiation:
1. Ionizing radiation - This type of radiation contains enough electromagnetic energy to
strip atoms and molecules from the tissue and alter chemical reactions in the body.
Gamma rays and X-rays are two forms of ionizing radiation. We know they cause
damage, which is why we wear a lead vest when X-rays are taken of our bodies.
2. Non-ionizing radiation - Non-ionizing radiation is typically safe. It causes some
heating effect, but usually not enough to cause any type of long-term damage to tissue.
Radio-frequency energy, visible light and microwave radiation are considered
non-ionizing.
On its Web site, the FDA states that "the available scientific evidence does not demonstrate any
adverse health effects associated with the use of mobile phones." However, that doesn't mean
that the potential for harm doesn't exist. Radiation can damage human tissue if it is exposed to
high levels of RF radiation, according to the FCC. RF radiation has the ability to heat human
tissue, much like the way microwave ovens heat food. 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.
The added concern with non-ionizing radiation, the type of radiation associated with cell phones,
is that it could have long-term effects. Although it may not immediately cause damage to tissue,
scientists are still unsure about whether prolonged exposure could create problems. This is an
especially sensitive issue today, because more people are using cell phones than ever before.
Here are a few illnesses and ailments that have potential links to cell-phone radiation:
1. Cancer
2. Brain Tumers
3. Alzheimers
4. Parkinsons
5. Fatigue
6. Headaches
Studies have only muddled the issue. As with most controversial topics, different studies have
different results. Some say that cell phones are linked to higher occurrences of cancer and other
ailments, while other studies report that cell-phone users have no higher rate of cancer than the
population as a whole. No study to date has provided conclusive evidence that cell phones can
cause any of these illnesses. However, there are ongoing studies that are examining the issue
more closely.
If you are worried about the potential hazards of cell-phone radiation, here are few ways to
reduce your risk:
1. Use a hands-free headset
2. Use a phone that places the antenna as far away from you as possible.
radiation to cause adverse health effects. The concern is that cell phones are often placed close to
or against the head during use, which puts the radiation in direct contact with the tissue in the
head. There's evidence supporting both sides of the argument.
When talking on a cell phone, a transmitter takes the sound of your voice and encodes it onto a
continuous sine wave.A sine wave is just a type of continuously varying wave that radiates out
from the antenna and fluctuates evenly through space. Sine waves are measured in terms of
frequency. Once the encoded sound has been placed on the sine wave, the transmitter sends the
signal to the antenna, which then sends the signal out.
Cell phones have low-power transmitters in them. A handheld cell phone operates on about 0.75
to 1 watt of power. The position of a transmitter inside a phone varies depending on the
manufacturer, but it is usually in close proximity to the phone's antenna. The radio waves that
send the encoded signal are made up of electromagnetic radiation propagated by the antenna.
The function of an antenna in any radio transmitter is to launch the radio waves into space; in the
case of cell phones, these waves are picked up by a receiver in the cell-phone tower.
When talking on a cell phone, most users place the phone against the head. In this position, there
is a good chance that some of the radiation will be absorbed by human tissue. All cell phones
emit some amount of electromagnetic radiation. Given the close proximity of the phone to the
head, it is possible for the radiation to cause some sort of harm to the user. What is being debated
in the scientific and political arenas is just how much radiation is considered unsafe, and if there
are any potential long-term effects of cell-phone radiation exposure.
There are two types of electromagnetic radiation:
1. Ionizing radiation - This type of radiation contains enough electromagnetic energy to
strip atoms and molecules from the tissue and alter chemical reactions in the body.
Gamma rays and X-rays are two forms of ionizing radiation. We know they cause
damage, which is why we wear a lead vest when X-rays are taken of our bodies.
2. Non-ionizing radiation - Non-ionizing radiation is typically safe. It causes some
heating effect, but usually not enough to cause any type of long-term damage to tissue.
Radio-frequency energy, visible light and microwave radiation are considered
non-ionizing.
On its Web site, the FDA states that "the available scientific evidence does not demonstrate any
adverse health effects associated with the use of mobile phones." However, that doesn't mean
that the potential for harm doesn't exist. Radiation can damage human tissue if it is exposed to
high levels of RF radiation, according to the FCC. RF radiation has the ability to heat human
tissue, much like the way microwave ovens heat food. 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.
The added concern with non-ionizing radiation, the type of radiation associated with cell phones,
is that it could have long-term effects. Although it may not immediately cause damage to tissue,
scientists are still unsure about whether prolonged exposure could create problems. This is an
especially sensitive issue today, because more people are using cell phones than ever before.
Here are a few illnesses and ailments that have potential links to cell-phone radiation:
1. Cancer
2. Brain Tumers
3. Alzheimers
4. Parkinsons
5. Fatigue
6. Headaches
Studies have only muddled the issue. As with most controversial topics, different studies have
different results. Some say that cell phones are linked to higher occurrences of cancer and other
ailments, while other studies report that cell-phone users have no higher rate of cancer than the
population as a whole. No study to date has provided conclusive evidence that cell phones can
cause any of these illnesses. However, there are ongoing studies that are examining the issue
more closely.
If you are worried about the potential hazards of cell-phone radiation, here are few ways to
reduce your risk:
1. Use a hands-free headset
2. Use a phone that places the antenna as far away from you as possible.
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