The Prevalence of Cellular Devices
Cellphones are so ubiquitous, Pew Research estimates that 91% of American Adults have one. Cellphones, being the most quickly adopted consumer technology in the history of the world, have been embraced by cultures worldwide and while the potential inherited risks have been neglected. Pew suggests that the rise in use of the cellphone is connected to the development of the smartphone (Rainie, 2017).
Unfortunately, connection to this technology places you in danger of disconnecting from reality. Use and overuse may lead to addiction. And as your usage increases, so does your exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation and, with it, your risk for developing cancer. While proponents claim the power emitted from cellphones is weak, the most plausible mechanism for the biological impact is related to the unstable nature of the signal and the ability to interfere with DNA repair. |
Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, April 17-May 19, 2013 Tracking Survey.
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Influence on Health
Researchers have observed that the radiation emitted from cell phones is absorbed in the brain tissue (Gultekin, & Moeller, 2012). In fact, researchers have observed that mobile cell phone use increases the risk of glioma in the temporal lobe, a cancer of the glial tissues within the nervous system. Individuals who have used mobile phones before the age of 20 have a higher risk for glioma compared to later age groups. Children and adolescents are unprotected to the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), emitted from cell phones, than adults due to thinner skull bone, higher conductivity in the brain tissue, and a smaller head. Furthermore, the developing brain is more vulnerable than in adults- development continuing until about 20 years of age (Hardell, & Carlberg, 2015). Researchers have observed that rats were more likely to develop tumors of glial cells and of the heart when exposed to the radiation emitted from mobile phones for approximately nine hours each day (Wyde et al., 2016). In 2014, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research group for the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) ("Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones", 2017).
Depth of absorption of cell phone radiation in a 5-year old child, a 10-year old child, and
in an adult from GSM cell phone radiation at 900 MHz. Color scale on right shows the SAR in Watts
per kilogram (Gandhi et al., 1996).
In regards to behavioral adaptations, researchers exposed fetal mice to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones and observed that the mice had impaired memory, were hyperactive, and had decreased anxiety, indicating that in-utero exposure to radiofrequency is a potential cause of neurobehavioral disorders (Aldad, Gan, Gao, & Taylor, 2012). Another group of researchers invested the effects of long-term exposure to RF-EMF from mobile phones in rats. Out of a total of 56 rats, 32 were exposed for 2 h each week for 55 weeks to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation. The results the researchers observed suggests that exposure to radiation emitted from cell phones significantly reduced memory functions in rats (Nittby et al., 2008).
A separate group of researchers observed that cell phone use associated with increased ADHD symptom risk within children, although possible reverse causality could not be ruled out. The underlying mechanism that may make this phenomena plausible is based on the premise that various studies have consistently reported increased BBB permeability after exposure to EMF. The blood brain barrier (BBB) is an intricate hydrophobic ("water fearing") barrier formed by a vascular network of cerebral capillaries with tight junctions and plays a essential role in maintaining homeostasis of the central nervous system by protecting the brain from potentially harmful substances in the blood through strict control of selective diffusion. The participants of the study included a total of 2,422 children at 27 elementary schools in 10 Korean cities were examined and followed up 2 years later (Byun et al., 2013).
In men, cell phone exposure has also been observed to negatively affect sperm quality. Over the course of three years, more than 2000 college students in China participated in reproductive health cohort study. Daily duration of internet use via cellular networks was strongly associated with decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count (Zhang et al., 2016).
A separate group of researchers observed that cell phone use associated with increased ADHD symptom risk within children, although possible reverse causality could not be ruled out. The underlying mechanism that may make this phenomena plausible is based on the premise that various studies have consistently reported increased BBB permeability after exposure to EMF. The blood brain barrier (BBB) is an intricate hydrophobic ("water fearing") barrier formed by a vascular network of cerebral capillaries with tight junctions and plays a essential role in maintaining homeostasis of the central nervous system by protecting the brain from potentially harmful substances in the blood through strict control of selective diffusion. The participants of the study included a total of 2,422 children at 27 elementary schools in 10 Korean cities were examined and followed up 2 years later (Byun et al., 2013).
In men, cell phone exposure has also been observed to negatively affect sperm quality. Over the course of three years, more than 2000 college students in China participated in reproductive health cohort study. Daily duration of internet use via cellular networks was strongly associated with decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count (Zhang et al., 2016).
What are Electromagnectic Fields?
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Electric and magnetic fields are invisible areas of energy, also known as radiation, that are produced by electricity, which involve the movement of electrons, or current, through space. Electric fields are produced by voltage, which is the amount of pressure used to push the electrons through the wire, akin to water being pushed through a pipe. As the voltage increases, the electric field increases in magnitude. Electric fields are measured in volts per meter (V/m).
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An electromagnetic field has two components, an electric field combined with a magnetic field. Image from (Crowell, 2007).
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Magnetic fields result from the flow of current through wires or electrical devices and increases in magnitude as the current increases. The strength of a magnetic field decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the source. Magnetic fields are measured in microteslas (μT, or millionths of a tesla). Electric fields are produced regardless of whether or not a device is turned on, whereas magnetic fields are produced only when current is flowing, which usually requires a device to be turned on. Power lines produce magnetic fields continuously because current is always flowing through them. Electric fields are easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects, whereas magnetic fields can pass through buildings, living things, and most other materials. Together, electric and magnetic fields are referred to as electromagnetic fields, or EMFs.
The Electromagnectic Spectrum. Image from National Cancer Institute.
EMF Exposure from Cell Phones
Exposure to cell phone EMFs mainly depends on:
A measure of the rate at which body tissue absorbs radio frequency energy during cell phone use is called the specific absorption rate (SAR). The SAR limit, set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is 1.6 watts of energy absorbed per kilogram of body weight, in countries that set the limit averaged over 1 gram of tissue, and 2.0 watts per kilogram in countries, that set the limit averaged over 10 grams of tissue. It should be noted that the SAR limit was set based on the thermal effects of cell phone radiation, rather than being set based on physiological effects that cell phone radiation, such as the influence on DNA damage. The FCC SAR limit is based upon a cell phone call that averages 30 minutes when the cell phone is held at the ear.
- the distance from the phone,
- the strength of the EMF, and
- the frequency and duration of cell phone use.
A measure of the rate at which body tissue absorbs radio frequency energy during cell phone use is called the specific absorption rate (SAR). The SAR limit, set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is 1.6 watts of energy absorbed per kilogram of body weight, in countries that set the limit averaged over 1 gram of tissue, and 2.0 watts per kilogram in countries, that set the limit averaged over 10 grams of tissue. It should be noted that the SAR limit was set based on the thermal effects of cell phone radiation, rather than being set based on physiological effects that cell phone radiation, such as the influence on DNA damage. The FCC SAR limit is based upon a cell phone call that averages 30 minutes when the cell phone is held at the ear.
Humans Are Beings of Frequency
Resonance is a sensational journey, which reveals 60 years of scientific research into the harm being caused to life by man made wireless frequencies.
A Solution: Reduce Your Exposure
As mentioned earlier, exposure to cell phone EMFs mainly depends on:
Increase the distance between you and your phone by:
Limit your cell phone use when reception is weak. When cell phones have stronger reception, they emit less EMFs to connect to the cell tower.
Reduce the amount of time spent talking on a cell phone.
- the distance from the phone,
- the strength of the EMF, and
- the frequency and duration of cell phone use.
Increase the distance between you and your phone by:
- Using the speaker phone.
- Sending text messages.
- Use a Bluetooth headset. EMFs from wireless and wired headsets are usually weaker than those from a cell phone.
- Keep your phone away from your body. A cell phone that is on can emit EMFs even when it is not being used. Do not sleep with your cell phone near you or carry it in a pocket or directly on your body unless the phone is turned off.
Limit your cell phone use when reception is weak. When cell phones have stronger reception, they emit less EMFs to connect to the cell tower.
Reduce the amount of time spent talking on a cell phone.
- Keep cell phone calls short.
- Use speaker phone mode or a corded phone for longer conversations.
Another Solution: Turn it Off or Leave it at Home
Whether it be cancelled your service, simply powering the device down, or leaving the device at home, turning off the cell phone when it is not being used can dramatically empower your life. When the device is powered down, the ability to be bombarded by EMFs and constantly check social media feeds diminishes. Why does an activated phone always need to be on your person, if it not always being used? One could argue, "what happens in the event of an emergency?" Besides bringing your phone in high-risk situations (i.e., traveling alone), the answer is the community.
References
Aldad, T., Gan, G., Gao, X., & Taylor, H. (2012). Fetal Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure From 800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones Affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice. Scientific Reports, 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep00312
Byun, Y., Ha, M., Kwon, H., Hong, Y., Leem, J., & Sakong, J. et al. (2013). Mobile Phone Use, Blood Lead Levels, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms in Children: A Longitudinal Study. Plos ONE, 8(3), e59742. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059742
Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones. (2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved 21 March 2017, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/
Gultekin, D., & Moeller, L. (2012). NMR imaging of cell phone radiation absorption in brain tissue. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 110(1), 58-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1205598109
Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2015). Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk for glioma – Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997–2003 and 2007–2009. Pathophysiology, 22(1), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2014.10.001
Nittby, H., Grafström, G., Tian, D., Malmgren, L., Brun, A., & Persson, B. et al. (2008). Cognitive impairment in rats after long-term exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation. Bioelectromagnetics, 29(3), 219-232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bem.20386
Rainie, L. (2017). Cell phone ownership hits 91% of adults. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 19 March 2017, from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/06/cell-phone-ownership-hits-91-of-adults/
Wyde, M., Cesta, M., Blystone, C., Elmore, S., Foster, P., & Hooth, M. et al. (2016). Report of Partial findings from the National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposure). http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/055699
Zhang, G., Yan, H., Chen, Q., Liu, K., Ling, X., & Sun, L. et al. (2016). Effects of cell phone use on semen parameters: Results from the MARHCS cohort study in Chongqing, China. Environment International, 91, 116-121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.02.028
Byun, Y., Ha, M., Kwon, H., Hong, Y., Leem, J., & Sakong, J. et al. (2013). Mobile Phone Use, Blood Lead Levels, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms in Children: A Longitudinal Study. Plos ONE, 8(3), e59742. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059742
Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones. (2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved 21 March 2017, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/
Gultekin, D., & Moeller, L. (2012). NMR imaging of cell phone radiation absorption in brain tissue. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 110(1), 58-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1205598109
Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2015). Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk for glioma – Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997–2003 and 2007–2009. Pathophysiology, 22(1), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2014.10.001
Nittby, H., Grafström, G., Tian, D., Malmgren, L., Brun, A., & Persson, B. et al. (2008). Cognitive impairment in rats after long-term exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation. Bioelectromagnetics, 29(3), 219-232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bem.20386
Rainie, L. (2017). Cell phone ownership hits 91% of adults. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 19 March 2017, from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/06/cell-phone-ownership-hits-91-of-adults/
Wyde, M., Cesta, M., Blystone, C., Elmore, S., Foster, P., & Hooth, M. et al. (2016). Report of Partial findings from the National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposure). http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/055699
Zhang, G., Yan, H., Chen, Q., Liu, K., Ling, X., & Sun, L. et al. (2016). Effects of cell phone use on semen parameters: Results from the MARHCS cohort study in Chongqing, China. Environment International, 91, 116-121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.02.028