A PROJECT REPORT ON ILL EFFECTS OF MOBILE PHONE ON HUMAN BODY

SUBMITTED BY

Anuj Nirban Minu Anthony Antony Paulson Steffi Arem Sachin Bangera Akshay Bhagat

01 02 03 04 05 06

FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MRS. SUCHITRA PILLAIS INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND RESEARCHNEW PANVEL

ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-12

DECLARATION
We, students studying in the First Year of Masters in Management Studies course in the academic year 2011-12 at Pillais Institute Of Management Studies and Research, hereby declare that we have completed the project titled, Ill Effects of Mobile Phones on Human Body as a part of the course requirements of Masters in Management Studies of University of Mumbai. We further declare that the information presented in this project is true and original to the best of my knowledge. Date: Place: New Mumbai

CERTIFICATE
I Mrs. Suchitra hereby certify that these students studying in the First Year of Masters in Management Studies course at the Pillais Institute Of Management Studies & Research, New Panvel have completed a project on Ill Effects Of Mobile Phones On Human Body, under my guidance in the academic year 2011-12. I further declare that the information presented in this project is true and original to the best of my knowledge. Date: Place: New Panvel Mrs. Suchitra

College Seal

PRINCIPAL

ACKNOWLEDEGEMENT

We would like to express our gratitude and sincere thanks to our Project Guide Mrs. Suchitra, Pillais Institute Of Management Studies & Research for instilling confidence in us to carry out this study and extending valuable guidance and encouragement from time to time, without which it would not have been possible to undertake and complete this project. We also wish to extend our appreciation, specially to our Director Dr.Vijay Raghvan, for his kind co-ordination and

support. Last but not the least our colleagues for their valuable comments and suggestions for making this a cherishable experience for us.

Group 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SR. NO. 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3.i 3.3.ii 3.3.iii 3.3.iv 4 5

TITLE

PAGE NO.

Introduction Objectives of the study Limitations Literature review Summary Industry profile Research methodology Research design Data Collection Sample Sample Unit Sample Size Sample Procedure Sample Profile Data analysis Suggestion/ Findings

INTRODUCTION
Most media reports would have you believe that research studies on the negative health effects of cell phones use are few and far between. This article will provide several studies on the different health effects to illustrate that the information is out there, and has been out there for years. In fact, many reports on the health risks of cell phones have been published over the last few decades.

Researchers have found some of the researched health consequences of the microwave radiation we are exposed to though cell phone use: Electromagnetic waves alter [electric activity of the brain] and cause disturbance in sleep ; cause difficulty in concentration, fatigue, and headache ; and increase reaction time in a time-dependent manner .They increase the resting blood pressure and reduce the production of melatonin .They are also implicated in DNA strand breaks. In addition, the use of cell phones has also been related to Alzheimers Disease and Cancer.

A study by Swedish researchers suggests the link between cell phone use and Alzheimers Disease: [Cell] phones damage key brain cells and could trigger the early onset of Alzheimers disease. Researchers have found that radiation from cell phone handsets damages areas of the brain associated with learning, memory and movement.

Researchers have found that people who used cell phones are two and a half times more likely to have a temporal brain tumor on the side of the head where they held their phone. In the case of tumors of the auditory nerve, which connects the ear to the brain, the risk increased to more than three times for cell phone users.

The relationship between cell phone use and diseases like Alzheimers and cancer are controversial, but discussed more as different research continues to conclude that the link between cell phone use and Alzheimers/cancer exists. On most news broadcasts we are told to not worry since more research is needed because the results are not conclusive. In my opinion, more research is always needed, and scientific results are never conclusive to everybody due to the very nature of science.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Every coin has two sides similarly invention of mobile phones too has gained lot of importance in todays 21st century. But at the same time it has been affecting the health of many users. Today mobile has become our best companion. It has made our life much simpler and easier to access anything and anywhere.

The main objectives of this project is to study the ill effects of mobile phones on human body. Health risks from the use of mobile phones To explore the controversial aspects of a new social phenomenon Cell phones: Modern mans nemesis Effecting male infertility Effects on children Over dependent on mobile phones. To check the awareness about the ill effects among the mobile users

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The sample size of the survey was very large and tedious to be survey The time taken to survey each mobile user was more since they had to be first explained everything and had to be dealt with patience. The mobile phone users opinion at times was very biased due to lack of interest in filling the questionnaire. The time frame given to us was not enough to cover a larger of sample size.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Bettener M et al,(2000) has conducted a research on increasing public interest in health risks of mobile phone use. Although there is a vast body of material on the biological effects of the radiofrequency fields, current risk assessment is still limited. Experimental investigation suggest that radiofrequency field are not tumor initiators and that they are related to carcinogenicity, this would be by tumor initiators and that if they are related to carcinogenicity, this would be by tumor promotion or by increasing the uptake of carcinogens in cells. Few epidemiological studies are available on the use of mobile phones on the radiofrequency exposure and the development of cancer. Most of these studies have no or little quantitative exposure data and they are limited by the same number of observation.

Repacholi MH (2001) had studied the rapid growth of mobile telecommunication that there were about one billion mobile phone users before 2005, thus if there is any impact on health from mobile telephones, it will affect everyone in the world. The world health organization (WHO) established the international EMF project in 1996 to evaluate the signs recommend research to fill any gaps in knowledge and to conduct formal health risk assessments of RF exposure once recommended research had been completed. Cancer has been suggested as an outcome of exposure to mobile telephones by some scientific reports

Roorli M et al (2003), has conducted a recent literature on the health effects of exposure to mobile phone base stationed (MPBS) radiation. They performed a systematic review of randomized human trials conducted in laboratory settings and of epidemiological studies that investigated the health effects of MPBS radiation in every day environment. They included in the analyses 17 articles that they met their basic quality criteria, 5 randomized human laboratories trails and 12 epidemiological studies. The evidence for a missing relationship between MPBS exposure up to 10m volts per

meter and acute symptom development can be considered strong because it was based on randomized, blinded human laboratory trials.

Khalil S et al (2006), have conducted research on the mobile phone which have a detrimental impact on auditory function. The widespread use of mobile telephone has given rice to concern about the penitential influence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. The effects of EMFs on human beings are as under investigation. Anatomically, the ear is in close proximity to the mobile phone telephone during use. The effects of mobile phone on auditory functions have already been studied. The aim of this review is to determine if there is evidence that mobile phone have a detrimental effect on the auditory function.

Wood AW (2006) has conducted a research on how dangerous are mobile phones, transmission and electricity pylons. Electrical power and mobile communication deliver enormous benefits to the society, but there are concerns whether the electricity and the magnetic field (EMF) emissions associated with the delivery of the benefits are linked to cancer and other health hazards this article reviews the strength of the available epidemiological and laboratory evidence and notes that this falls short what s normally required to establish a causal link. However because of scientific uncertainty a caution approach is often advocated, but there may be a tendency to judge. These risks more harshly than those in other areas with similar strength of evidence.

Derias EM et al (2006), has studied the growing concern about the possible hazards of electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones on human health. One of the biggest concern is there possible association with increased risk of cancer and there possible effect on cellular DNA. Electromagnetic waves can inflict their results through thermal and non- thermal effects. There are many animal studies that show that.

Electromagnetic waves have a wide range of damaging effects on the male reproductive system and sperm parameters. However similar studies are quite limited in humans, and the studies should be interpreted with caution when considering their application to humans.

Makker K et al (2009), the use of mobile phone has increased significantly, however with every technological development comes some elements of health concern, and cell phone are no exception. This is a comprehensive, up to the minute overview of the effects of cell phone exposure on human health. The type of cell phone and cell phone technologies currently used in the world are still in an attempt to improve the understanding of the technical aspects, including the effects of cell phone exposure on the cardiovascular. System, sleep, and cognitive function, as well as localized and general adverse effects, genotoxicity potential, neurohormonal secretion and tumor indication. A novel study is described, which is looking at changes in semen parameter, oxidative stress makers and sperm DNA damage in the samples exposed in vitro to cell phone radiation.

Kapdi M et al (2008), the mobile phone industry has been one of the fastest growing industry in the modern history, today India has one million mobile phone users and mobile phone account for 88% of all telecommunication users. The rural sector accounts for more than 25% of wireless phone users and this proportion is bound to grow as affordability of mobile phone continues to increase. In 2008 the telecom commission adopted the emission guidelines prescribed by the international commission on non protection. Studies have demonstrated that usage behaviors, such as duration of usage and predominant, one side use of mobile phones are some of the chief risk that the increased likelihood of hazards resulting from mobile use. This article attempts present the basic biophysics of this device and explain the hazard of electromagnetic radiation exposure in terms of thermal and non thermal effects. They also present some preventive measures that can reduce the risk of these hazards.John

Jinks (2009) has conducted a research on the excessive cell phone usage among the teenagers who are the majority of the worlds cell phone users. While 75% of north American teen own a cell phone, about 96% of 16-17 years old students in Japan also own their own cell phone.most teen are willing to fork out extra money to ensure that their phone has full keypad functionality for text messaging, a built in camera, gaming option, media play back and internet access. Parents have seen their children become paranoid whenever they would miss a call or text message. Many teenagers counter additional problems at their school, at their work or at home because of their cell phone usage. Not everyone is ready to refer to this problem as a diseases, just yet. However the number of clinics who are willing to treating this problem as they would to alcoholism or drug addiction has increased.

S Murray (2010) has conducted a research on the dependency of human o the mobile phone. Initially the mobile phone were bulky and expensive items that were available to the rich and more often business. As the technology has advanced and handsets and calling plans have become cheaper and more accessible to mass market, then the problem of dependency has grown and now ranges from teenagers through to adults. Tow good examples of mobile phone dependency can help to explain the problem further. The first issue is addiction to texting, something that is more common in the young users, also extends to adult users. Secondly is the curse of email where email enabled phones such as those from markers blackberry, can dominate a users life. It has been observed that it adds to another way to become more dependent on their mobile is a real risk for the health of human bodies.

SUMMARY
During recent years, the use of mobile phones has increased substantially and has been paralleled by a growing concern about the effects on health attributed to exposure to the electromagnetic fields produced by them and their base stations. Demonstrating that radiation causes adverse effects on health would signal a widespread public health problem.

Today, mobile phones have become popular to everybody since they are convenient. The most advantage of having a mobile phone is you can communicate to your family, your friends, and your business no matter what where you are. In summary, mobiles are a great invention but they still have many issues. You have to protect yourself from the bad effects of mobiles if you choose to have one.

INDUSTRY PROFILE The cell phone industry is one of the fastest growths besides the Internet. Cell phones have gone through a huge change and its market has expanded globally. Since 1994, the cell phone industry has increased from 24 million to about 182 million in wireless phone and related devices operating in the United States with some 162-million mobilephone users in the United States alone. The cell phone market is increasing very fast with todays ever-emerging technology and innovation in improving cell phones. Today, society is living with advance technology and everyone wants to keep pace with the new technologies. Cell phone industry is growing larger because it has become a necessity. Parents are getting mobile phones for their teens because they want to communicate in case of an emergency and the wireless carriers have made it easy to add users to their existing plans. And carriers are becoming successful in getting parents to expand their plans to include their teens. This increases buyers and increases market size worldwide.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research design used:

Research Design

Exploratory Research

Conclusive Research

Descriptive

Causal

Define a hypothesis

Exploratory Research:
The research work was Exploratory in nature and was meant to provide the basic information required by research objectives. A preliminary study and findings can be further consolidated after detailed conclusion study has been carried out.

Data Collection Sources:

data collection

primary data

secondary data

survey

observation

internet

news papers

research magzines

Research Approach: Survey

A survey is a research technique used to gather information from a sample of respondents by employing a questionnaire. Normally surveys are carried out to obtain primary data.

Data Collection Instrument: Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a set of structured questions to be asked from respondents in a particular order with appropriate instructions. A questionnaire serves four functions enables data collection from respondents, lends a structure to interviews, provides standard means for writing down answers and help in processing the data collected.

Type of questionnaire used: Structured Non-disguised

Structured-The questions used were not open- ended and respondents had to answer from the given options given. Non-disguised-The questions asked did not mean to offence any person. The questions openly discusses the ill effects of mobile phones in the questionnaire.

Sampling Unit:

Geographical Harbour Line Region Areas New Panvel and Cotton Green

Central line

Western line

Thane

Vasai

Sample Size: - 100 mobile users

Sampling Procedure:

Probabilistic Sampling
Simple Random
Systematic Random Stratified Sampling Cluster Sampling

Non probabilistic Sampling

Convenience
Judgemental Snowball Quota

The sampling procedure used in the survey we conducted was Simple random sampling as the sample for conducting the survey was picked up at random.

Sample Profile : Questionnaire

Name: City: Telephone No : Sex Age. Q.1) Male 18-22 Female 23-27 28-35 More than 35 Date

Do you have a mobile phone? b) No

a) Yes

Q.2)

How long do you use your mobile phone? b) 3 hr -5 hr c) 6 hr- 8hr d) more than 8hr

a) 1hr-2hr

Q.3)

Do you consider using mobile phone while driving is risky? b) Probably C) Yes D ) Dont Know

a) No

Q.4)

Are you loosing command over your language? Due to S.M.S. language? a) Yes b) No c) May Be

Q.5)

Are you facing any health problems since you bought your phone?

a) Headache b) Sleep deprivation c) Vague memory d) Chest pain e) Other f) None

Q.6)

Do you easily get distracted when your mobile phone rings? b) No c) Sometime d) Never

a) Yes

Q.7)

Are you over dependent on your phone b) No

a) Yes

Q.8)

Do you think the usage of phone is affecting your social life? b) No

a) Yes

Q.9)

Have you experienced any effect on your auditory function? b) No

a) Yes

Q.10) Do you panic or get hyper tensed when your mobile is missing? a) Yes b) No

Q.11) Do you feel psychological comfortable to communicate over the phone to a person rather face to face? a) Phone b) Face to face

Q.12) Have you become aggressive since you are started using your mobile? a) Yes b) No

Q.13) Are you aware of male infertility? Because of excess usage of mobile phone ? a) Yes b ) No

Q.14) Do you feel usage of mobile phone has effected the grasping power of human mind? a) Yes b) No

Q.15) You use your mobile phone frequently for:a) Calling d) Playing games b) Texting c) Internet browsing

e) Listening to music

Q.16) Do you get nervous when your mobile doesnt ring when it is expected? a) Yes b) No

Q.17) There is any prestige issue which has lead to psychological effects. a) Yes b) No

Q.18) Do you think you can improve your health by reducing the usage of mobile phone? a) Yes b) No

Q.19) While sleeping do you keep your mobile phone near or below the pillow a) Yes b) No

Q.20) Are you aware of the fact that you shouldnt put your mobile close to your ears until the reception answers? a) Yes b) No

DATA ANALYSIS: Ho: Mobile phone has no effect on the human body. H1: Mobile phone has an effect on the human body. Q1.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid no Total

98 2 100

98.0 2.0 100.0

98.0 2.0 100.0

98.0 100.0

Interpretation: Every person uses a mobile phone.

Q2.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

1hr-2hr 3hr-5hr Valid 6hr-8hr more thane8 hr Total

31 30 20 19 100

31.0 30.0 20.0 19.0 100.0

31.0 30.0 20.0 19.0 100.0

31.0 61.0 81.0 100.0

Interpretation: Among 100 people surveyed , most of them use mobile for phones for 1hr to 2hrs followed by 3 to 5hrs.

Q3.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

NO probably Valid Yes Don"t know Total

8 10 81 1 100

8.0 10.0 81.0 1.0 100.0

8.0 10.0 81.0 1.0 100.0

8.0 18.0 99.0 100.0

Interpretation: Majority of the users feel using mobile phone is risky while driving.

Q4.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes NO Valid May Be Total

19 56 25 100

19.0 56.0 25.0 100.0

19.0 56.0 25.0 100.0

19.0 75.0 100.0

Interpretation: Most of them do not agree of losing the command due to S.M.S language.

Q5.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Headache sleep deprivation Vague memory Valid Chest pain other None Total

29 19 10 1 22 19 100

29.0 19.0 10.0 1.0 22.0 19.0 100.0

29.0 19.0 10.0 1.0 22.0 19.0 100.0

29.0 48.0 58.0 59.0 81.0 100.0

Interpretation: Majority of people have headache followed by other(eye irritation n etc) due to excess usage of mobile phone.

Q6.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes No Valid Sometimes Never Total

29 25 41 5 100

29.0 25.0 41.0 5.0 100.0

29.0 25.0 41.0 5.0 100.0

29.0 54.0 95.0 100.0

Interpretation: Most of the get distracted sometimes when mobile phone rings.

Q7.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

43 57 100

43.0 57.0 100.0

43.0 57.0 100.0

43.0 100.0

Interpretation: Most of them do not agree when asked whether they are over dependent on their phone.

Q8.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

26 74 100

26.0 74.0 100.0

26.0 74.0 100.0

26.0 100.0

Interpretation: Of 100 samples 74% do not feel that, their life is being affected by excess usage of mobile phone.

Q9.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

11 89 100

11.0 89.0 100.0

11.0 89.0 100.0

11.0 100.0

Interpretation: It is found that very few peoples auditory function has been effected by using mobile phones.

Q10.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

57 43 100

57.0 43.0 100.0

57.0 43.0 100.0

57.0 100.0

Interpretation: Most of them agree of being panic or hyper tensed when their mobile phone goes missing.

Q11.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

30 70 100

30.0 70.0 100.0

30.0 70.0 100.0

30.0 100.0

Interpretation: Most of them feel psychologically comfortable to communicate face to face rather on phone.

Q12.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

21 79 100

21.0 79.0 100.0

21.0 79.0 100.0

21.0 100.0

Interpretation: Majority do not agree of being aggressive while using mobile phone.

Q13.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

39 61 100

39.0 61.0 100.0

39.0 61.0 100.0

39.0 100.0

Infertility: Majority of people are not aware of male infertility due to excess usage of mobile phone.

Q14.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

51 49 100

51.0 49.0 100.0

51.0 49.0 100.0

51.0 100.0

Interpretation: 51% of the people agree that the grasping power of human mind decreases due to being addicted to mobile phone.

Q15.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Calling Texting Internet browsing Valid playing games listening to music Total

49 31 7 5 8 100

49.0 31.0 7.0 5.0 8.0 100.0

49.0 31.0 7.0 5.0 8.0 100.0

49.0 80.0 87.0 92.0 100.0

Interpretation: Most of them use mobile phone for calling and texting.

Q16. pho

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

46 54 100

46.0 54.0 100.0

46.0 54.0 100.0

46.0 100.0

Interpretation: Majority people have answered that they do not get nervous when their mobile phone doesnt ring .

Q17.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

33 67 100

33.0 67.0 100.0

33.0 67.0 100.0

33.0 100.0

Interpretation: Many of them do not agree of having any prestige issue related to the model which others or they are using.

Q18.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

49 51 100

49.0 51.0 100.0

49.0 51.0 100.0

49.0 100.0

Interpretation: 51% of people do not think that they can improve their health by reducing the usage of mobile phone.

Q19.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

63 37 100

63.0 37.0 100.0

63.0 37.0 100.0

63.0 100.0

Interpretation: 63% of the population keep their mobile phone near or under their pillow while sleeping.

Q20.

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Yes Valid No Total

58 42 100

58.0 42.0 100.0

58.0 42.0 100.0

58.0 100.0

Interpretation: Majority of people are aware of the fact, that one shouldnt keep the mobile phone close to their unless the receipent receives the call.

FINDINGS
Mobile phones have been in extensive use for a relatively short period of time, and their technology has progressively changed, from analogue to digital systems. Mobile phones and base stations emit radio frequency or microwave radiation. Exposure to such a radiation could affect health directly. The use of mobile phones also results in indirect effects, such as car accidents and interference with health equipment.

Experimental research on the effects of radio-frequency radiation is very broad and heterogeneous. It includes both studies of cell cultures and tissues (in vitro) and of laboratory animals (in vivo), as well as of people (volunteers). On one hand, these studies focus on functional changes in the brain and the resulting effects on cognition, and (to some extent) well-being that is, the influence of exposure to radiation on the head. On the other hand, these studies focus on the possibility of a relationship between mobile phone use and carcinogenic processes, reproduction and development, the cardiovascular system and longevity that is, exposure of the whole body. These studies found very small and reversible biological and physiological effects that do not necessary lead to diseases or injuries. Also, the research findings on the changes at the molecular level associated with the development of cancer are inconsistent and contradictory.

Epidemiological studies in general populations, such as communities, concentrate on a possible causal relationship between mobile phone use and the occurrence of brain tumours, acoustic neuromas, tumours of the salivary glands, and leukaemia and lymphomas. Although weak and inconclusive, most of the evidence available does not suggest that there are adverse effects on health attributable to longterm exposure to radio-frequency and microwave radiation from mobile phones. However, recent studies have reported an increased risk of acoustic neuroma and some brain tumours in people who use an analogue mobile phone for more than 10 years. Also, no data is available on the reproduction of these effects when digital mobile phones are used. Finally, there is

good evidence that the use of mobile phones while driving translates into a substantially increased risk of an accidental collision.