The invention of the telephone is considered the most marvelous innovation in the world. Modern society is saturated with different technologies. The cell phone is classified among information and communication technologies and is considered as one of the major facilitators of communication. Cell phones can be used for communication despite the distance of the parties involved. Cell phones have been used extensively to conquer distance all over the world by connecting individuals through networks. This study explores the risk of getting cancer from using mobile phones, and the cell phone mechanism of radiofrequency and microwaves.
The use of cell phones can harm people’s health, although there is conflicting research about the extent of the effects. Cell phones work by transmitting and receiving radio frequency and microwave radiation. Consequently, cell phones emit a stronger radio frequency than FM radio signal, which causes cancer (Lin and James 17). Research on the connection between cell phones and increased risk of cancer is still underway, as researchers are studying brain tumors and cancer of the nervous system as well as other sites of the neck and head because those are the main body parts that are exposed to cell phone use. A prospective study conducted in 2018 by Mialon, Hugo, and Erik discovered that the respondents had no risk of developing tumors of the brain, even those who had used cell phones for over ten years (11). However, one of the problems faced by the researchers in their observational studies is that cancer of the brain is extremely rare and take longer to develop.
It would take many years to gather conclusive evidence on the risk of developing cancer of the brain as a result of using cell phones. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radiofrequency waves as possible carcinogens. Lin and James argue that although, the tests were done on rodents, the results showed that there is potential developing cancer of the brain when the brain is exposed to high levels of microwaves (17). Consequently, although no research has associated the use of cell phones to cancer of the brain or head tumors, it is advisable to keep them at a distance while using them because of the harmful effect of microwave activity and radio frequency waves. All cell phone systems use microwaves for the transmission of waves. Therefore, if cell phones exceed the microwave length of 100 kHz, the body reacts by absorbing part of the energy carried by the waves. This can pose a significant health risk to the user, since the human body is not designed to absorb high levels of microwaves.
Several studies conducted by various scholars have indicated no risk of brain cancer or tumors associated with cell phone use. However, most of the studies and reports are based on short-term research. Thus, ; more lengthy research needs to be conducted since cell phone users have different levels of exposure to radio waves. The amount of time individuals spend on their cell phones has increased over the years, and should be considered when conducting the studies. However, cell phone users are advised to use the hands-free option for long phone use. The hands-free option gives the users more distance while using cell devices to reduce the effect of the radio frequencies and microwave effect.
Works Cited
Lin, James C. “Clear Evidence of Cell Phone RF Radiation Cancer Risk [Health Matters].” IEEE Microwave Magazine19.6 (2018): 16-24. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8425056
Mialon, Hugo M., and Erik T. Nesson. “Mobile Phones and the Risk of Brain Cancer Mortality: A Twenty-Five Year Cross-Country Analysis.” (2018). Pp 2-35. https://0c43536f-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/hugommialon/Cell.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7criC84cPy9hw9OH6Tr3OB9BSI7HhkgWIpeJZ7VZVR3tldNkPQzaZEW1S1oPmUlEHw2Y6SM1JE40DZE4raa2Y0U_c60arL3V0PFyce4QkMNebtB2GUljXFmaC08DG51u5KLWsGIlqp4Cyrl4JrPro5du9HE07w-Jkg0SxCuM6ocanXWNjtjA63xj67_nO6hOZQH4SHtH14_vgD-YljVA4yTm6dG8sA%3D%3D&attredirects=0