To say mobile phones are completely harmless in false. There are some effects such as concentrating too long on phones (psychological effect), it may damage eye-sight, by continuously glaring down on a small screen as well as some hearing problems, but overall these effects could be definitely avoided by reducing the usage of mobile phones. There is no denying that phones do emit radio waves and microwaves, but as yet supporting evidence in favour of a link between using a mobile phones (for however long) and cancerous tumours developing is not yet brought into light. The WHO and IARC have classified mobile phones of a possibility of being carcinogenic to humans, which pose a risk. Yet, once thought about it logically, everything is not 100% safe. Being cancerous might be debatable to say that it is something much more harmful, but yet again it is still a possibility that it could be a health risk.
In 2000, an independent expert group in the UK reviewed the evidence about the health effects of mobile phones. It concluded that there was no clear scientific evidence of harm to health from exposure to mobile phone signals.
The Daily Mail, a UK newspaper, published an article that speaks about the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Copenhagen. The institute carried out the biggest research study of the subject of mobile use and the development or increase of brain cancer in humans. The researchers investigated data of 358,000 people over 18 years. They found that ‘found cancer rates in the central nervous system were almost the same in both long-term mobile phone users and non-users.’ They studied the whole Danish population aged over 30 and born in Denmark after 1925. They gathered this information by using people who where subscribers to mobile phone companies in the Danish phone network operators, and from the Danish Cancer Register.
The researchers said they observed or found any data that related to an increased risk for tumours of the central nervous system for the mobile phone users. Many people have been worried about the health risks of mobile phone use and the heating effect/cancerous tumour in or on the brain. It is still extremely important to regard any study taken that it was not completed with 100% non-bias or mistake, neither the result findings with 100% reliability. Studies and research projects are, now, all we have to make sure of the data and findings linking mobile phones to a serious hazard to our health or not. Even if there were to be a correlation showing some very small effect it would not be regarded with high assumption and care by many people. Mobile phones are essential and form a bone of the back of society today.
As such, no case on adverse health effects have been reported, neither has there been a case or cases where mobile phones are creating health risks.
“Are Mobile Phones Harmful?”- For
Mobile phones are indeed a very useful tool when communicating to other people locally, nationally or world-wide. However, as science is ever more showing clearer understanding in the objects we use, there are a variety of health risks that mobile phones may pose towards humans, which should be regarded with paramount importance and explored deeper.
Firstly, if we take for example microwave ovens also use microwave radiation to transfer energy to absorbing materials. Microwave radiation, once absorbed, allows the molecules in the material to vibrate strongly- the temperature of the material rises. Mobile phones also use microwave radiation to receive and transmit calls and texts to nearby phone masts. The greatest intensity of radiation is as it leaves the mobile phone. Thick bones in your skull which surrounds and protects the brain absorb this radiation. Even though the bones absorb the radiation, it still effects and is absorbed by the brain, which warms it very slightly.
Now from one perspective this may seem perfectly harmless as the brain is heated ‘very slightly’. However, if a person uses a mobile very frequently, and that is extremely common in the present-day, then the heating effect could be disastrous and would be a serious health risk. Another factor to consider is that some may say that microwave radiation is not ionising, so therefore it will not create a serious effect. Yet, materials that are non-ionising create a heating effect on the absorbing material.
‘It is better to be safe than sorry’, knowing that the heating effect of microwave radiation is in some way harmful. It should be avoided or used to a minimal amount. The heating effect of microwave radiation depends on the duration of exposure and intensity of the radiation. Nowadays, people make phone calls for long periods of time and constantly use their phone for various things; this could still have an effect and create a credible health risk.
This image shows a Thermo graphic image of a person’s head before and after using a mobile phone. The photograph on the left shows no exposure to mobile phone radiation, and no heating effect. Whereas, the image on the right shows the heating effect after a 15 minute phone call, the effect of heating can have very serious health risks in our brain.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has rated mobile phones as a ‘group 2B’ device as well as stating:“Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless (mobile) phone use.”
(World Health Organisation and IARC Press Release Statement – 31st May 2011). ()
The above statement and classification of mobile phones could therefore possibly cause cancer. The electromagnetic radiation/fields (radio waves & microwaves) which are emitted by the mobile phone, on exposure to the head could have a serious health by causing cancerous tumours to gradually develop in the brain.
The IARC went further on to say which categories involving electromagnetic radiation could pose a health risk: lowing exposure categories involving radiofrequency electromagnetic fields:
- Occupational exposures to radar and to microwaves;
- Environmental exposures associated with transmission of signals for radio, television and wireless telecommunication; and
- Personal exposures associated with the use of wireless telephones.
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Mobile phones do indeed fall under some of these categories. However, we cannot say through one study that mobile phones indefinitely cause cancer. There has to be more studies and scientific explanations to make that data and results more reliable and credible to be sure of the causal link.
Children have the potential to be at greater risk than adults for developing brain cancer from the use of mobile phones. Their brains are still developing and therefore more vulnerable to the radiation that mobile phones emit which may cause cancer. The heads of children are smaller than those of adults and therefore the exposure radiation will be greater on a concentrated side of the head. There have been various studies conducted to further probe the outstanding issue of the effect of radiation on children.
This image shows how radiation penetrates and is absorbed by the brain through different aged users. Younger children have a considerably greater absorption rate than adults, increasing the risk of cancerous tumours developing.
One study conducted by a research group called CEFALO did a prospective study (A research study that reviews certain groups of individuals with similar characteristics over a period of time). They found that there was a slight risk in developing a brain cancer risk in children who use mobile phones frequently. This cannot be ruled out as not as children nowadays are using phone which are much more powerful that could radiate higher energy levels on a regular basis. The data that the research group gathered was ‘through prospective studies and objective measurements.
Other studies have not found concrete evidence in which there has been a direct correlation and causal effect of the use of mobile phones and cancerous brain tumours from developing. However, these studies usually involve questionnaires which may account towards a bias/unreliable opinion. Many epidemiologic studies (a study which looks at usually 2 groups of people who are alike in characteristic but different in some type of exposure – i.e. mobile phone users and non-users) do not take into account that brain tumours could have long-term effects, especially for children who may see signs when their older (40s or 50s).
Graphs showing risk of brain tumours developing and the absorption of radiation in the brain by comparing age groups as well as users and non-users
The studies that have been conducted are still as not reliable for certain as now in the modern day, brand-new phones are constantly being released. Smartphone’s are being purchased at a formidable rate and there have been no study relating to the effects of these specific phones, which many people use now.
Tests conducted in laboratories such as the Division of Neurosurgery, Lund University, in Sweden. The University studied rats that were exposed to mobile phone radiation for two hours a week for more than a year. These rats had poorer results on a memory test than rats that had not been exposed to radiation. If the effects on living organisms on affected memory, it may affect the memory of human’s as well.
From an article of the Daily Mail:
Denis Henshaw, Emeritus Professor of Human Radiation Effects, Bristol University commenting on the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology (Copenhagen) said the study was 'worthless', and the researchers themselves admitted non-users may have been misclassified which would bias the findings. He said: 'This seriously flawed study misleads the public and decision makers about the safety of mobile phone use.'
Concentrating on short-term effects of the use of mobile phones is not enough to seek out a clear scientific explanation to say NO to a correlation or cause. Also the studies could have inaccurate findings thorough inaccurate reporting of events through interviews between subjects of the study. Data of cell phone use and brain cancer risk about the total amount of cell phone use over a long period of time, where the cancerous cells could accumulate and start developing. The usage and effects of mobile phones is harmful once considering the various factors, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry when discussing about whether mobile phones are safe or not.
Personal Acknowledgement
My personal opinion on the use of mobile phones is that using mobile phones have several benefits and risks. Weighing up the risks and benefits would be very difficult as both have strong arguments. Mobile phones do emit radiation and the effects of the radiation are still being studied. Various studies have been carried out but all have limitations in them. The outcomes of health studies affect people in different ways. When thinking about the benefits for society and ethically and morally, mobile phones do need to be used to make sure that everything runs. Mobile phones are indeed an essential tool to modern day life. There are a variety of conclusions that can be derived, from parents, children, people who use phones for a occupational reasons etc. Their final opinions on whether to use phones or not is all it depends to. I would still use mobile phones, aware of the risks but I would take some precautions to make sure my usage is minimal. Keep phone calls short and try to use a hands-free kit. Allow children to use phones (not excessively), research into phones in how much radiation they emit. Mobile phones have risks (radiation) and in some ways the backbone of our society today. Drawing up a final conclusion on defiantly stating mobile phones are harmful is difficult in comparison in that they are not.
Sources/References Used
- Twenty First Century Science – GCSE Physics (ISBN : 978-0-19-913842-5) Pages 54-69
- Oxford Study Science Dictionary
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- Personal Knowledge
