Mobile Phones and Your Health
The 3G Shop want to keep you informed about facts and information regarding mobile phones possible impact to your health. Due to the fact that mobile phones are now used extensively has made people question if all this mobile use will have affects to human health.
The actual reason why people are questioning health from mobile phones is because mobiles emit and receive radiation of radio frequency. These frequencies need to be transmitted between the phone itself and the base stations, so that the phone can make and receive calls. Base stations are radio antennae which are an essential link for communication with mobile phones.
In 1999 the chairman of National Radiological Protection Board set up a group to investigate the possible health effects from mobile phones, base stations and transmitters. The investigation was lead by Sir William Stewart and the results found from the investigation are called the Stewart Report.
This investigation concluded that there was no scientific evidence that mobile phone signals have a detrimental affect to your health. However their studies did show that if mobile phones do have an adverse effect to humans, then:
- Children under 16 years of age could be more affected than adults. This is because a child's nervous system which is still developing may be more susceptible than a mature nervous system.
- Due to children having thinner skulls it is possible that they could absorb more energy then adults.
- And, people who use mobile phones for long periods may be at a greater risk.
Regarding the base stations, the report concluded that there is no general health risk to people living near them.
So from this information it is recommended that children under 16 years old should only use mobile phones if it is essential. Also that by reducing the amount of time that you spend on the phone will reduce any possible health risks that can be occurred from mobile phones.
Scientists have reported that there are other effects of using mobile phones, but these effects are small and have no evident health significance. These are changes in brain activity, reaction times and sleep patterns. Since these investigations were carried out there has been no further evidence that would suggest any further risks.
In 2005 The Institute of Cancer Research conducted the largest ever investigation into the use of mobile phones use and brain tumours. This study specifically looked at a tumour called acoustic neuroma, which occurs in the area that is close to where mobile phones are held. The report found that there was no link between the use of mobile phones and acoustic neuroma.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) also states that 'recent epidemiological studies found no convincing evidence of increase risk of cancer or any other disease with the use of mobile phones'. To read more from WHO please visit their site.
Products that may help
There are products on the market that may reduce any health risks that could possibly occur from mobile phone signals:
- Shields: These claim to reduce health risks from mobile phone signals, however this has not been proven.
- PHF Kits: Studies have found that they can reduce the amount of radiation that can go into the brain. This is because the radio frequency from the phone will not be directly at the head.
- Ear-Pieces: Studies have shown that these too can reduce radiation entering the brain. But other studies have shown that it could make it worse, however the radiation transmitted would still be under the rate guidelines.
All mobile phones that are sold in the U.K are in line with the guidelines of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). SAR is the level in which energy is absorbed into the body. So in the case of mobiles, it is the energy that is absorbed into the body from the signals of mobile phones and base stations.
