Tips for safe mobile phone use

March 24, 2019
Are wireless headphones safe ? The jury is still out
healthysoch
New Delhi, March 24, 2019 :
Wireless technology is in vogue today. It allows communication without the use of cables. We all use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet on our laptops, mobile phones….wireless keypads, mouse, head phones, speakers, routers, are familiar generic terms.

Technology has undoubtedly made life comfortable and easier for us. However, the impact of technology on human health is not yet fully known. It’s still a subject of research and hence, is a cause for concern.

Wireless technology uses electromagnetic waves as do the mobile phones.

The safety of wireless headphones, particularly of Apples AirPods, has come under scrutiny. A major concern with the use of these devices is the risk of cancer due to exposure of tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation.

In 2011, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lassified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma (malignant brain cancer) associated with wireless phone use.

Class 2B means there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, but sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Also, there is strong evidence that the agent exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens.

More than 200 scientists from 42 countries had called for protection from non-ionizing electromagnetic field exposure in a petition in 2015, where they stated: “… We are scientists engaged in the study of biological and health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices. These include–but are not limited to–radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF)…”

They further stated: “Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans…”

www.healthysoch.com

The concerns with AirPods are that since they are inserted in the ear, they are closer to the acoustic nerve and brain tissue which are susceptible to the effects of microwave radiation. They also emit near-field magnetic induction. The safety of exposure to these radiations in the long-term is yet to be established. Also, their SAR or Specific Absorption Rate is high. SAR is a measure of the rate of radiofrequency energy absorption by the body from the source (cell phone). The permissible maximum SAR value for mobile phones in India is 1.6 Watts per Kg 1 measured over 1 gm of tissue.

But, there is another view on this, which says that exposure to radiofrequency waves is minimal with AirPods as the antenna “sticks out from the ear and lies a half-inch or so above the head… it does not radiate energy into the ear”.

There has not been new research on health concerns with AirPods or Bluetooth. And, what evidence there is has only shown conflicting data. Scientists are still trying to unravel the long-term safety of using wireless and Bluetooth technology.

The jury is still out…

 Tips for safe mobile phone use

  • Use headphones with cords
  • Use hands-free devices
  • Keep your phone away from the body … radiation drops down to less than 1% when the cell phone is at a distance of 18 cm (7 inches) from your body
  • Use speakerphone whenever possible to reduce exposure to radiofrequency waves
  • Most importantly, reduce use of mobile phones to the minimum possible

(Source: Medscape)

The author of this article is Dr KK Aggarwal, Padma Shri Awardee

healthy soch

Stay informed with the latest news from HealthySoch. Sign up today for exclusive insights and updates!

We promise we never spam!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Health Tips

Dr. T S Kler Padma Bhushan Awardee
MD, DM, MRCP, FRCP(U.K), FACC, D.Sc
Chairman – Fortis Heart Institute Gurugram

Precautions to avoid Corona Virus:

  1. Stay home as far as possible.
  2. Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
  3. Keep distance from people even your home members.
  4. Keep atleast 1-2 metres away from anybody coughing.
  5. Don’t touch your face, nose and mouth.

 

Dr. K.K Says

Archives

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
26272829   
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
25262728293031
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
3031     
     12
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
2627282930  
       
1234567
891011121314
22232425262728
293031    
       
     12
3456789
17181920212223
24252627282930
       
  12345
6789101112
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728     
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
   1234
567891011
       
282930    
       
    123
45678910
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
3031     
    123
11121314151617
       
28      
       
2930     
       
    123
       
       
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829 
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728293031  
       
      1
23242526272829
3031     
    123
       
    123
25262728   
       
78910111213
28293031   
       
293031    
       
14151617181920
28293031   
       
   1234
567891011
       
   1234
567891011
262728    
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
16171819202122
3031     
    123
45678910
18192021222324
       
28293031   
       
     12
31      
   1234
       
  12345
6789101112
       
HealthySoch

Don't Miss

Shri J P Nadda conferred WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award for contribution to global tobacco control

Shri J P Nadda conferred WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award for contribution to global tobacco control

Tobacco users reduced by 81 lakhs, youth consumption of tobacco

A Total of 1,62,378 Patients cured of COVID-19

UPDATES ON COVID-19 : Recovery Rate more than 50% India healthysoch