Are mobile phones a health risk?

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        Are Mobile Phones a Health Risk?

Abstract

        In this report I aim to determine whether or not mobile phones pose a risk to our health. I will explain how mobile phone electromagnetic radiation can be perceived as dangerous, with reference to the EM spectrum. I will cite scientific sources of evidence which support both sides of the dispute, and will come to a reasoned conclusion as to how likely it is that mobile phones are a health risk. I will also evaluate the credibility of the sources used to support my conclusions, and list all the sources used throughout in a detailed bibliography.

Introduction

        Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular in today’s world; with around 80 million handsets in Britain, there are now more mobiles than people [1]. They’ve become an essential part of our existence, in business, in our daily lives and in keeping in touch with our loved ones – however, there is growing concern that this technology is causing serious health problems throughout the population, such as lasting brain damage and cancer. The Media consistently tends to portray mobile phones negatively, fuelling the public’s fears and misgivings: this study aims to determine from the scientific evidence whether or not mobile phones present a risk to our health.

Main Points

How might Mobile Phones be Hazardous to our Health?

After studying numerous publications, I have found that if there are concerns about how mobile phones may pose a risk to the health of their users, they can be divided into two categories: The first is Electromagnetic Radiation from the phone damaging human cells and cause cancers and tumours. The second is that the EM radiation from the handset creates a heating effect.

What is EM Radiation?

EM radiation is something we are exposed to all the time: TVs, radios, satellite communications, etc all use EM waves to transmit information. Light is a form of EM radiation, as are the UV rays from the sun. The danger is that EM waves with a high frequency (UV rays, X-rays and gamma rays) are forms of ionizing radiation. This means that they have enough energy to damage cells and their DNA by stripping electrons from, or in very high energy radiation, even break apart the nucleus of atoms [2] and as such can cause genetic malfunctions which can lead to cancers.

What are the Possible Dangers of  Mobile Phone EM Radiation?

Cancer-Inducing Effects of Radiation

Mobile phones use microwaves in order to transmit their information, and not UV, X or gamma rays. Microwaves are not ionizing, and so are not as dangerous as the higher frequency EM waves. However, mobile phones are still relatively new technology, and the effects of prolonged exposure to non-ionizing radiation are still unknown, as is whether prolonged exposure to the microwaves of a mobile phone handset, especially so close to the brain, will cause any serious health damage.

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The Heating Effect of Radiation

When EM radiation reaches an object, the photons’ energy causes the molecules of the surface they collide with to vibrate, creating thermal energy and warming the surface they collide with slightly. We use this everyday with infrared (another EM radiation) heaters etc. The concern here is that as handsets are held so close to the brain, this heating effect could warm the sensitive brain tissues, causing permanent damage. This, as well as the concerns about the possibly cancer-inducing radiation of handsets, is thought to be more of a risk in children, who have thinner ...

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This is exceptionally well written, the candidate uses a good range of vocabulary throughout, they use appropriate scientific terms and it clear that they understand the physics principles that they have discussed. Unfortunately there are a few issues with spelling and grammar, in particular there are several incidences in which the candidate has used the American version of a word, though this is only a minor issue.

The candidate has clearly undergone independent research in order to write this essay, they have taken the time to look through publications, newspaper articles and several webpages. This kind of research shows dedication and an interest in your subject. In addition to this, the extra information included in the candidates essay makes is more enjoyable to read. Furthermore the candidate has listed all of the sources they have used in a bibliography, which is important as it shows that your work is not plagiarised and it enables those who read your work to look over the resources you have used. They have also noted the credibility of their sources, this is an important thing to consider, if an article is written by a well respected person or organisation then you can assume that their work and therefore conclusions are accurate. On another note, the candidate has written a strong conclusion, they have answered the question that was set at the beginning of the essay and they have included a personal response, however this could have been improved had they taken the time to summarise their key points which would help to draw the essay to a close.

The candidate has sensibly written an abstract, therefore the purpose of this essay is immediately clear, this is very helpful for the reader. In addition to this the candidates introduction is clear and concise, they have attempted to engage the reader by mentioning relevant facts and it is very clear what they plan to discuss. Furthermore the candidate gives a very explicit response to the overall question, they have taken the time to throughly research this topic, their discussion looks at both sides of the debate, they show a clear understanding of the physics involved and they have included a person response.