Mobile phones communicate with base stations using radiofrequency (RF) radiation. If RF radiation is high enough, it has a ‘thermal’ effect, which means it raises body temperature. There are concerns that the low levels of RF radiation emitted by mobile phones could cause health problems such as headaches or brain tumors.
Research into mobile phones and health risks
Intensive international research has found no conclusive or convincing evidence that mobile phones are damaging to health in the short or long term. However, in May 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified RF radiation as ‘possibly carcinogenic for humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a type of brain cancer’.
While it may not be completely fair to clump the entire cell phone industry into one tight package (smartphones are distinctly different from basic flip phones, for instance), there are certain commonalities among most cell phones. That’s why when you ask what are the disadvantages of mobile phones, you will come across a similar set of possible responses. The release of this WHO statement prompted many people to call for a ‘precautionary approach’ to mobile phone use. Research is ongoing.
phone user is exposed depending on many factors as the technology of the phone, the distance between the phone and the user, the extent and type of mobile phone use, and the user’s distance from cell phone towers.
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified mobile phone radiation as possibly carcinogenic, which means that there “could be some risk” of carcinogenicity, so additional research into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones needs to be conducted.
Radiation to mobile phone use
Radiation is a combination of electrical and magnetic energy that travels through space at the speed of light. It is also referred to as electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
Radiation is classified into two broad groups:
- ionizing radiation (IR) – which is capable of causing changes in atoms or molecules in the body that can result in tissue damage such as cancer. Examples of IR include x-rays and gamma rays
- non-ionising radiation (NIR) – which doesn’t cause these changes, but can prompt molecules to vibrate. This can lead to rises in temperature, as well as other effects. Examples of NIR include ultraviolet radiation in sunlight, visible light, light bulbs, infrared radiation, microwave energy, and radiofrequency energy.
