Do mobile phones really have a harmful effect on our health?

Are mobile phones really harmful? Do they have a harmful effect on our body? These are few of the questions which we have been asking and have been asked since their invention. And till today researches are being conducted to specify whether they really affect our health or not?

As we all know mobile phones convert radio waves into electrical signals in order to send and receive our communications. And to let you know, the power use range is at its peaks when it is turned on i.e. between 0.1 and 2 watts. The radio waves that mobile devices rely on are at the non-ionizing end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Now, while we use a mobile phone close to our body a very small amount of energy from the radio waves is absorbed and is converted into heat.

Research into mobile phones and their radiations

Many scientific researchers have concluded that a temperature rise of approx one degree Celsius is a safe level for the human body. Our normal biological processes cool us down and also prevent any significant temperature rise in our bodies. Also, a vast majority of experts including the World Health Organization (WHO), agrees that mobile phones and cell phones operated in line with international guidelines, do not produce enough energy or heat to cause the long-term change in the human body.

mobile radiations and its effects

 There have been several studies and researches throughout the world on mobile radiations and its effects on human body. So, before we head forward it is very important to understand that there is a big difference between a biological effect and a health effect.

For instance, radio frequency or the commonly known RF radiation from a cell phone has the biological effect of raising the temperature of the human brain by a fraction of a degree. And this biological effect doesn’t automatically carry any health risks as our body is well-equipped to deal with very wide variations in temperature without experiencing any harm from them.

Mobile phone uses, cancer and other possible health effects

Now as the RF radiations are a form of non-ionizing radiation, they cannot cause cancer. There is no other known biological way which could suggest that RF radiation could be carcinogenic. While there are several other researches being carried on whether mobile phone use causes cancer or other health problems, no negative health implications have yet been found till date.

Precautions to reduce mobile phone radiation exposure

Although evidences so far suggest that mobile phone uses aren’t harmful, but long-term risks and consequences are yet to be clarified. So if you feel concerned then you can reduce your exposure to mobile phone RF radiations by- 

·         Selecting a mobile phone which has a low specific absorption rate (SAR), which refers to the amount of RF radiation absorbed by body tissues

·         Using a landline connection or phone, if possible

·         Talking less on mobile phone or through keeping your mobile calls short

·         Using a hands-free kit. It is one of the best options. 

·         Not carrying your mobile phone close to your body

Lastly, here are a few things to remember-

·         The current international consensus is that mobile phones don’t cause cancer or promote the accelerated growth of existing tumors.

·         Cancer can take many years, even decades, to develop.

·         Using a mobile phone while driving significantly increases the risk of traffic accidents.

On a closing note, mobile phones do radiate radio frequency but they are very weak in order to create any harm to our body. They might be harmful in a long run but with few simple steps or considerations, you can easily use a mobile phone without any worry.