Widespread
use and importance of wireless telecommunications has made us fully dependent
on mobile phones. No doubt mobile phones provide unmatchable utility and 24x7
connectivity across the globe, but have we ever thought about the dangerous
health risks offered by excessive use of mobile phones?
Since the advent of
wireless technology, mobile phone industry has grown leaps and bounds. The
mobile phone users are expected to cross over 5 billion numbers by end of 2019.
This means that approx. 70% of the world population owns the mobile phone. This
clearly means that practically every house-hold across the world owns a mobile
phone.
The connectivity and
other benefits offered by mobile phones have made us use them mindlessly. In
fact, not having our mobile phones with us just for few minutes can make us really
anxious.
The excessive use of
mobile phones offers health risks which have been identified by the modern
medical science. Though many of these potential risks like cancer, blood brain barrier, male fertility, electromagnetic hypersensitivity etc are still to be scientifically
proven yet doctors across the world agree not to ignore these risks till they
are fully proved or disapproved.
Mobile phones use radio
waves for transmitting communication signals from one place to another. These
waves are of varying frequencies and energies and have potential to penetrate
in biological tissues thus causing heating of tissues and other potential effects
which are being studied currently.
Given the high risks, it
is prudent to take certain precautions to protect our health. The below tips
will come handy for everyone –
1. Talking on mobile – This poses a great risk given that
we keep our phone very close to our ear and forehead while talking on it.
Apart from any potential harmful hazards that we really don’t know, the visible
effects include heating of skin, head-ache, pain in ears etc.
Tip – To avoid any potential and visible risks, it’s
always better to use hands-free or ear-phones to stay away from the radio-waves
emitted by mobile phones. Alternatively, use speak-phone as far as possible.
2. Keeping mobile phone in pockets – This could be really
risky given that your mobile phone periodically emits radio signals even when
it is not being used. Keeping phone in pocket get the vital organs our body
exposed to these radiations.
Tip – Keep your mobile on
table while at office or home. Place it in the bag if you are travelling
3. Using mobile in car or any enclosed areas – Using mobile phone in
car or any enclosed areas generally amplify its signal which increases the
strength of radiations many-fold.
Tip – Avoid use of mobile
phones at such places. Tell people that you will revert back shortly in case
you are travelling in car.
4. Giving mobile phone to kids – This is really serious. Children
should never be giving regular access of mobile phones. Given that the children’s
bones are thin, there is high chances of radiations to penetrate in tissues and
cause potential damage.
Tip – Don’t allow Children to make
use of your mobile phones at all unless absolutely necessary. Make them to
develop habits to spend their time somewhere else including outdoor sports,
reading etc
5. Using mobile when signal is low – The weaker the signal
indicated on the cell phone, the stronger your cell phone will try to reach to
that weak signal. In this process, your body will be exposed to highest level
of radiations which may be extremely dangerous.
Tip – Simply try avoid using
your mobile phone if you are in a place where signals are weak
6. Keeping mobile near while sleeping – Most of us keep our
mobile near our bed while sleeping. This could be risky given mobile
periodically receives and emits radiations even if it is not in use. It is also
placed nearby for purpose of giving morning alarm.
Tip – Keep the mobile in some
corner and away from your bed. If you want to use it for morning alarm purpose,
keep it in the flight mode to avoid radiation effects.
Apart from using the
above tips, it may be a great idea to identify certain times/tasks during the
day when you don’t carry your mobile with you. Depending on your convenience,
you may decide not to carry it with you during walk/jogging, going to gym, doing
shopping etc.
The idea is to stay away
from the radiations in order to avoid any health risks associated with it.
It would be great to hear
your ideas to minimize the exposure of mobile phones. Post your feedback in the
comments section.
Happy Reading!!
