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Cellular Telephones and Your Health

This paper explores the potential health effects of using cell phones, focusing on Radio Frequency (RF) radiation. It delves into studies that discuss RF radiation's impact on DNA, chromosomal abnormalities, and cancer risks. The author highlights the controversy surrounding the harmful effects of RF radiation and emphasizes the importance of using cell phones in moderation to minimize exposure risks.

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Cellular Telephones and Your Health

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  1. Cellular TelephonesandYour Health Carl Fulton English 102 Online Professor Mackenzie October 12, 2008 “I certify that I am the sole author of this paper and its contents and that any assistance I received in its preparations is fully acknowledged and disclosed in the paper with the proper APA citations and references. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for this course.”

  2. Introduction • Studies on the effects that cell phones have on health are rare. • Several studies in existence have yielded different findings, which has led to debate among scientists. • Scientists debate whether: • RF frequency is strong enough to cause cellular damage- both short term and long term exposure. • Cell phones can cause chromosomal damage. • Cell phones can cause cancer.

  3. Highlights • Many of the studies that indicate harmful effects from cell phone use have largely been ignored. • To fully understand the effects of cell phones on health, we will need to explore: • The nature of radiation (specifically radio waves), • How this Radio Frequency radiation is utilized in the function of cellular telephones, • And modern studies pertaining to RF radiation.

  4. How Cell Phones Work • Radio Frequency (radiation) is generated by the transmitter and broadcast to the tower via the antenna. • Radiation may also be received by the antenna • Cell phone frequency= 800-881 MHz

  5. Description of Radiation • Radiation consists of an invisible electromagnetic wave. • The charged electrical wave (containing neutrons, above red) runs perpendicular with the magnetic wave (above blue)

  6. Description of Radiation • What separates one form of radiation from another is the frequency (size of wave). • Waves more concentrated (higher frequency) than visible light are called Ionizing Radiation for the ability to ionize atoms and cause cancer.

  7. Description of Radiation • Cellular phones use a type of radiation called Radio Frequency. • Radio Frequency is considered to be in the microwave range, with a little higher frequency than radio waves. RF is non-ionizing radiation.

  8. The Harmful Effects of RF (Non-Ionizing) Waves • Whether or not RF is harmful is extremely debated among scientists. • Studies have yielded different results. • Many claim that Radio Frequency is not strong enough (high enough frequency) to cause strand breaks in DNA. • Some scientists claim that RF is harmless, others disagree.

  9. The Harmful Effects of RF (Non-Ionizing) Waves • Scientists recognize that non-ionizing radiation produces a heating effect. • Diathermy was introduced as a medical treatment in 1909, using non-ionizing radiation to produce heat. • A side effect of diathermy is its ability to cause too much heat to the deep tissue, due to a lack of deep nerve endings.

  10. The Harmful Effects of RF (Non-Ionizing) Waves • Some studies have indicated that non-ionizing radiation may be clastogenic (capable of producing chromosomal abnormalities). • This is hotly controversial among scientists. • Some studies have also attributed non-ionizing radiation to changes in other cellular structures, such as the cell wall. • Studies have claimed that non-ionizing radiation may make it easier for other carcinogenic substances to cause cancer.

  11. The Harmful Effects of RF (Non-Ionizing) Waves • It has been hypothesized that the head may be used as a cell antenna, especially when the phone is placed against it. • The frequencies for transmission and reception used by cell phones are 900 MHz for analog and 1800 MHz for digital transmission. • At 900 MHz, RF wavelength is about 33-35 cm. • At 1800 MHz, RF wavelength is about 16-17 cm. • Near the ear, a cross-section of a human head has a length of about 16-17 centimeters. Perfect Antenna!

  12. Conclusion • In conclusion, much study still needs to be done due to controversy in the science community over harmful effects of cell phones. • Enough research already exists to warrant caution with cell phone use. • Holding cell phones near or against the head or body likely makes RF exposure worse. • Always use cellular telephones in moderation!

  13. Delpierre, G.R, & Sewell, B.T. (2008). The Wave Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation [Photograph]. Electronic Science Tutor. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from: http://www.physchem.co.za/OB12-ele/Graphics/wavetrain.gif HowStuffWorks. (2001). Cell Phone [Untitled photo]. Retrieved October 10, 2008, from: http://www.cancer-health.org/images/cell-phone-radiation-transm.jpg HowStuffWorks. (2001). Electromagnetic Spectrum [Untitled photo]. Retrieved October 10, 2008, from: http://www.cancer-health.org/images/cell-phone-radiation-spectru.gif Photo Credits

  14. References • C.A.T. & Jo. Si. (Eds.). (2003). Radiation. In Encyclopaedia Brittanica (15th ed.) (Vol. 26) (pp. 471-499). Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. • Fenton, B.C. (1997). Radio. In Compton’s Encyclopedia (Vol. 20) (pp. 41-80). Chicago: • Compton’s Learning Company. • Figueiredo, A.B.S., Alves, R.N., & Ramalho, A.T. (2004). Cytogenetic Analysis of the Effects of 2.5 and 10.5 GHz Microwaves on Human Lymphocytes. Journal of Genetics and Molecular Biology., 27(3). Retrieved October 10, 2008, from SciELO Brazil- Scientific Electronic Library Online: • http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S141547572004000300024&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en • Food & Drug Administration, & Federal Communications Commission. (2006). Cell Phone Facts: Consumer Information on Wireless Phones. Washington, D.C./ Rockville, MD: Food and Drug Administration & Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved October 4, 2008, from: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/wireless/ • HowStuffWorks. (2001). Electromagnetic Spectrum [Untitled photo]. Retrieved October 10, 2008, from: • http://www.cancer-health.org/images/cell-phone-radiation-spectru.gif • Richter, E.D., & Weinberger, Z. (12 November 2002). Cellular Telephones and Effects • on the Brain: The Head as an Antenna and Brain Tissue as a Radio Receiver. Medical Hypotheses (Vol. 59, Issue 6) (pp. 703-705). Retrieved October 4, 2008, from: • http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/PIIS0306987702002980/fulltext • Venes, D. (Ed.). (2005). “Clastogenic”. Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (20th ed.) • (p. 429). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

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