Mobile phones, once a luxury and now a necessity, pose some serious health risks, which the common man is ignoring and is pushing himself towards certain fatal problems. To name a few are, neurological problems, memory loss, poor concentration, disturbance in the functioning of various parts of body. Not only that, the radiation coming from the towers set up for the networking of cell phones, is a big risk for the locality nearby as when exposed to the radiation, leads to hazards. Researchers also say that the amount of radiation emitted from the towers in a day is equivalent to putting one’s body in an oven for 19 minutes.
The eight-member committee including representatives from the health ministry, department of biotechnology and member secretary, DoT (Department of Telecommunication), has recommended that mobile phones not abiding by the standard levels of specific absorption rate (SAR) - a measure of the amount of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body while using a phone -- should be barred.
The committee, who led the study on hazards of mobile phones, also noticed that the ill effects are evident on nature as well and can be seen in the reduced number of fauna around us. Disappearance of butterflies, squirrels and birds are all the aftermath of the radiations.
Presently India follows the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNRIP) guidelines for radiation, which allows a radiation rate of 9.2 watt per sq meter to be emitted. The report suggests that the level should come down at least by one-tenth so that the environment is not affected. At the same time it clearly states that the safe limit for our health is 1000 times less than even the recommended limit.
Continuous use of cell phone causes heating and most of the heating occurs on the surface of the head, causing its temperature to increase by a fraction of degree. The brain thus disposes this access heat by increasing the local blood flow which increases the body temperature. When there is an increase in the body temperature, the whole mechanism goes haywire.
When mobile phones were introduced, it was to make and receive calls. With the advancement in technology, the market is flooded by multi utility phones and so has increased the demand. People in order to “stay-connected” to the world are in the habit of using multiple applications through the cell phone and have become an unavoidable part of their life.
To remain connected to the world, use of cell phones cannot be ignored. However, the study suggests children and pregnant women should strictly avoid overuse of mobile phones and rather should use hands free technologies in order to reduce the contact of mobile phones with head.
But the question remains, will cellular companies take initiatives for better public health or continue to exploit the vulnerable masses by luring them into the ‘feel-good’ world of excess mobile usage?
