When it comes to the dangers of using cell phones, the subject is often a hotly debated one. Some of these dangers cannot be dismissed and actually exist, other dangers are still subject to verification but caution is still advised.
Cancer warnings: A lot of people and scientists have discussed the possibility or the probability of getting cancer from excessive use of cell phones and exposure to cellular towers. The amount of cell phones in use globally run into hundreds of millions and the cell towers which receive and transmit signals are equally plentiful. How safe are we and are there any dangers of living close to cell phone towers?
Certain scientific studies have claimed there may be a link between cell phones and brain cancer and it is difficult to ascertain the veracity of these claims. A number of studies have come out to claim that the danger of cancer was not found but not enough information exists to disprove the hypothesis.
Wireless telephones are also two-way radios; wireless telephones convert speech and convert the sound of your speech to RF energy otherwise known as radio waves.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) each regulate wireless telephones. FCC ensures that all wireless phones sold in the United States follow safety guidelines that limit radiofrequency (RF) energy. FDA monitors the health effects of wireless telephones. Each agency has the authority to take action if a wireless phone produces hazardous levels of RF energy.
Hearing loss: Anyone who uses a cell phone for more than 60 minutes a day runs the risk of compromising their hearing.
The study, “Audiological Disturbances in Long-Term Mobile Phone Users”, was presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO conference by Dr. Naresh Panda.Results show that people who used their phones for more than an hour a day for a period of four years, tended to have much more noticeable losses in high frequency hearing than other people. Usage of a cell phone over the long term may also lead to inner ear damage and high frequency hearing loss, this is a fact.
Distractibility has become one or more of the factors which contribute to motor vehicle accidents. Answering, calling or texting from your cell phone while you are driving tends to distract you from doing what you have to do- in this case driving with your eyes on the road. A lot of people have the opportunity of using their cell phones while on the move, so this isn’t something you take lightly. People wonder if this is any more different from the normal forms of distraction such as casual conversation in the vehicle, adjusting the radio, changing a CD, drinking a cup of coffee, or handing an item to a child in the back seat but nevertheless you have to be careful.
A number of states have their different laws which forbid the use of cell phones while driving.
The following organizations can provide additional information and resources in regard to health and safety of cell phones.
-Federal Communications Commission.
-Food and Drug Administration.
-National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
-World Health.
