Cell Phones: Negative Impact On Human Health

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Cell Phones

4.68 billion. This is the number of people at risk for getting cancer. On March 28, 2018, the scientific peer review of a landmark United States government study concluded that there is clear evidence that radiation from mobile phones causes cancer. To some people, cell phones are essential items. According to Jade Zamora, she is on her phone almost every hour except when she is playing golf and when she is sleeping.

The use of cell phones has increased throughout time. Now it provides videoconferencing and internet access with the ability to send e-mail. It has become very popular and easy to communicate with friends and family. Although cell phones bring some conveniences and benefits to our lives, they also have some potentially dangerous effects.

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Cell phones can produce radiofrequency radiation from their antennas. Parts of the body nearest to the antenna can absorb this energy (National Cancer Institute). Over time, the number of cell phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the amount of time people use to cell phones have increased.

Radiofrequency radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. There are two types of electromagnetic radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing. Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from x-rays, is known to increase the risk of cancer.

Cell phones receive signals using electromagnetic waves. Studies have shown that the non-ionizing radiation that is given off by cell phones causes DNA chaos that can result in brain tumours and brain tissue damage (National Cancer Institute).

According to Dr. Devra Davis, the founder and president of Environment Health trust, states, “Cellphone radiation weakens membranes everywhere. It weakens the blood-brain barrier. If you are holding your cell phone next to your brain, you’re weakening the blood-brain barrier and any toxic material that’s in your blood is going to be more deeply absorbed into you brain and into the cells of your body.

In addition, a broad range of health effects have been reported with cell phone use. Neurologic effects are of concern in young persons since the brain is the primary exposed organ. The most common health risk associated with cell phone use is distracted driving and vehicle accidents.

Thousands of people die in car crashes each year because drivers are too distracted by their cell phones to pay attention to the road (Los Angeles Times). Reports show that about 78 per cent of distracted behaviours is driving while using a cell phone. 53 per cent reported using hands-free devices at least some of the time. 50 per cent said they send texts while driving on the freeway. 60 per cent said they send texts while in stop and go traffic or in city streets. 87 per cent send texts while at a traffic light. Only 12 per cent said they never text, not even at a traffic light (UC San Diego News Center).

“Distracted driving is a highly prevalent behaviour in college students who have misplaced confidence in their own driving skills and their ability to multitask,” said Linda Hill, clinical professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine (UC San Diego News Center).

Another problem is that cell phones are often held too close to the ear when it is in use, so it is very easy for radiation to penetrate the tissue. This is the cause of how tumours are formed.

Leah Choi states, “I didn’t even know that are using cell phones can bring a negative effect to my body. Since all my friends has phones, I thought that cell phones do not negatively affect my body at all.”

Many people use phones daily without thinking about the negative effects that they bring to their bodies.

Since cell phones can bring many negative effects to the body, one should limit the use of their cell phones. This means that when they are talking on the phone, one should keep their cell phone away from the body. One should keep phones out of the pocket, and one shouldn’t chat with a poor signal. People should also limit themselves using their phones will driving. This can decrease car accidents.

“After hearing you telling me about the negative effects it brings to my body,” Zamora said, “I will try to limit myself from using my phone.”

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