Samina shaheen

Semester
5th

Mobile Hazards
Mobile phones are used by almost everybody today. Kids, adults, old
people, all are using mobile phones. But are we aware about the dangers
these mobile phones cause to our health? Scientists have proved that
mobile phones affect the organs of the body. Are we carrying a hazard with
us everyday?

• The electro-magnetic radiations that radiate from a mobile phone are

known to affect the pacemaker, S.A node of the heart and affect the
rhythmic heartbeat.
• They interfere with the impulses which the S.A node produce.
• These radiations also are known to affect the neurones in the brain.
The radiations interfere with the electrical impulses that two neurones
connect each other with.
• So when you are talking on the phone, with the phone placed around
the ear, the neurones around the ear get affected. This can lead to
deafness and migraines.
• The phones placed in the front pockets can affect the heart leading to
arhythmic heartbeats.
• These radiations have been known to affect the feotus in pregnancy.

Measures to prevent or reduce these hazards!

• Always make sure the phones are kept in not your front pockets but in
the pockets of your trousers or pants, away from the heart. specially
when using pace-makers
• Avoid using vibration mode of the mobile phone.
• If possible use handsfree or loudspeakers on your phone.
• Avoid overuse of mobile phones.
• Use landlines more than mobile phones if possible.
• Buy mobile phones from reputated companies.
• Faulty mobile phones should be repaired soon.

Department of Islamic history

University of Karachi
 Samina shaheen
Semester
5th
Despite repeated horror stories about mobile phones in the media, nearly
half of the British public now owns one. Some 500 million people worldwide
use mobile phones. Clearly, they have decided that the benefits outweigh
any risks to their health. The benefits to the Exchequer in the United
Kingdom are also substantial £22bn ($13.75bn) from the recent round of
bids for new licences. In this context, the publication of the Report of the
Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, a group organised by the
Department of Health, could have political implications.
Mobile phones are low power radio devices that transmit and receive radio
frequency radiation (at frequencies in the microwave range of 900-1800 MHz)
through an antenna used close to the user's head. Digital systems have recently
replaced analogue. There is concern that microwaves might induce or promote
cancer, and the symptoms associated with their use include sleep disturbance, Hand
held cellular telephones, using
pulse modulated signals of frequency 870-995 MHz, are being used
increasingly. Most reports of health symptoms related to use of these
phones are anecdotal. We undertook across sectional study of a community
in Singapore to study the prevalence of specific central nervous system
symptoms among users of hand held cellular phones compared with non-
users and to determine any association of risk factors and central nervous
system symptoms among users of the phones.
From a sampling frame of all flats in a large town we conducted a one stage
random cluster sampling of 808 individuals, who were interviewed by trained
medical students using a structured questionnaire. Central nervous system
symptoms of those who did and did not use hand held cellular telephones
were compared and any possible association studied. A two tiered approach
was used to try to mask the true purpose of the questionnaire in which
headaches and health symptoms were dealt with in the earlier sections
before respondents were asked about their use of cellular phones. These
steps should help to reduce recall bias among the respondents.

Department of Islamic history

University of Karachi
 Samina shaheen
Semester
5th
The prevalence of users of hand held cellular phones in Singapore was
44.8%.1 Headache (according to the International Headache Society's
criteria2) was the most prevalent symptom among users compared with non-
users, with an adjusted prevalence rate ratio of 1.31 (95% confidence
interval 1.00 to 1.70). There was a significant increase in the prevalence of
headache with increasing duration of use (min/day) (P=0.038). The
prevalence of headache was considerably reduced among those who used
hands-free equipment compared with those who never used such equipment
(42% v 65%).
Use of hand held cellular phones is not associated with a significant
increase in central nervous system symptoms other than headache. We
would suggest that more community studies should be conducted before
one can make a statement such as “the only established risk is of using one
while driving

Mobile (or cellular) phones use electric power to receive and transmit signals
through a base station tower that is linked with other transmission towers.
These signals are usually around 900 MHz which is within the microwave
range.

Mobile phones are a unique source of RFR exposure because the power
transmitter itself is held against the head of the user. The concern in this
case is whether RFR generated around the antenna of the phone during use
can cause health effects from absorption into the head (or the body, if the
phone is used while clipped to the belt, or in a pocket).

Workers who use mobile phones can minimise exposure to RFR in a

number of ways:

• Make shorter calls.

• Choose a phone with the lowest RFR level.
• Hold the phone further away from the head when in use.
• Use of a "hands-free" kit (with earphones) has recently become
controversial following results of a study suggesting that some
headsets may transmit some of the microwave signal into the

Department of Islamic history

University of Karachi
 Samina shaheen
Semester
5th
earphone. However, other studies have shown a drop in the rate of
absorption of RFR when headsets are used.
• Carry a phonecard and avoid using a mobile phone, if possible!

International organizations such as the WHO recognise that scientific

research is unable to keep pace with the rapid advances in
telecommunications and its global spread. There is particular concern about
biological effects from exposures in the RF range that may affect health. As
such, it is necessary to develop guidelines and standards that also take into
account the non-thermal biological effects of RFR.

According to the report, mobile phones and radio terminals radiate

RF energy that heat up the tissues. During use, mobile phones are
usually kept close to the ear, which is very near to the brain. It is
suspected that continuous use of mobile phone for longer duration
may damage some brain tissues.

The report says the tissues of children are tender, and therefore
they are likely to be more affected by use of mobile phones.
Children below 16 years should be discouraged from using mobile
phones.

Similarly, the use of mobile phones or radio terminals by persons,

using medical aids such as pace makers, defibrillators, hearing
aids cochlear implants and other implants should be minimised,
while the use of mobile phones or radio terminals in vulnerable
areas of hospitals such as intensive care units, should be
prohibited or
restricted as decided by the hospital authorities.
Educating the consumer :

educate a consumer aboutradiation from a mobile handset,the

specificabsorption rate valuefor each hand set should beprovided
by the manufacturers To

on the website as well as in the user’s manual, as per the

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
guidelines. This is as per international approach taken in the year
2000 and agreed upon by manufacturers. If possible, SAR
information as option on screen of mobile phone or radio terminal
may be made available, says the report.

Department of Islamic history

University of Karachi
 Samina shaheen
Semester
5th
The radio frequency electromagnetic field generated around the
base station antenna may be harmful to general public and
operator or maintenance personnel. The practice of installing
antennas needs to be regulated in order to protect the general
public from undesired effects caused by electromagnetic fields
around the antenna, it says.

As a precautionary measure, the mobile phone service providers or

manufacturers should avoid promotional advertisements showing
vulnerable segments such as children or pregnant women using
mobile phones.

Calling for raising the level of understanding about mobile phone

technology and reduce mistrust and fears both real and perceived,
the report suggests developing an effective system of health
information and communication as per the WHO guidelines.

“The Government of India, especially the Ministry of Health, may

initiate public awareness programme in line with WHO
recommendations,

Do you know how dangerous it is to use a cell phone while driving? I think
we allguess how dangerous it is, but we don´t really know. A study has
shown that " both the participants and the scientists got sloshed has shown
that motorists who talk on cell phones while driving are as

impaired as drunk drivers." The study can be read in Live Science,29 June
2006 in health relatedsubjects. I read the article and was amazed to see that
hands free cell phones are very dangerous too.
Everyone of us think it´s a shame to drink and drive. When I go to a party
where I´ll be drinking, I take a nightgown and my toothbrush to stay
overnight. But I see noone ashamed of using a cell phone and driving at the
same time. In fact, I never can reach some of my family or friends if it´s not
calling there. And many of them even make phone "visits" while driving.
Are you aware of how dangerous it is? Would you be willing to change your
habits so as to stop being a "drunkard driver"?
Recently i read a mail which said that a young boy died because he was
using a flash camera at a railway station. I dont know how true it is, but
technology can be dangerous. That is why we should avoid using cell
phones at petrol pumps and other public places whereever there is a
warning. But we have that carefree

Department of Islamic history

University of Karachi