| There is growing consensus that cell phone | | | | as to minimize the length of contact with the |
| antennas may be harmful to humans due to the | | | | radiation emitted by the device. |
| huge volume of electromagnetic waves that get | | | | |
| concentrated around it during the receipt and | | | | Consumers should buy phones with low specific |
| placing of calls. This danger is even further | | | | absorption rate (SAR). Mobile phones should |
| aggravated by cellular manufacturers who | | | | be kept away from the body as much as |
| place the internal antennas close to the | | | | possible. They can be put in the purse or bag |
| earpiece. | | | | and only brought into contact with the body |
| | | | when there is the need to make or receive a |
| Mobile phones are basically radio sets and | | | | call. |
| therefore emit energy radio signals that can | | | | |
| penetrate the body and cause harm. | | | | Users should try to keep their conversations |
| | | | short. |
| There have been several commissions on the | | | | |
| study of the effect of mobile phone on the | | | | If possible, SMS messages can be sent instead |
| human body and the most pronounced has been | | | | of calls so that there is less contact with |
| The Stewart Report which suggested that radio | | | | the body especially around the skull area. |
| waves indeed penetrate human bodies from | | | | |
| mobile phone antennas and specially | | | | Keep switching between both ears so that one |
| recommended that children who obviously have | | | | particular ear does not absorb the full brunt |
| softer skulls be extra careful and use the | | | | of the radiation all the time. |
| device sparingly. The report further went on | | | | |
| to state that the brain cells of children are | | | | Radiation emission is at the highest when the |
| not as fully developed as those of adults and | | | | phone is trying to connect so keep the phone |
| can therefore be at greater risk as they | | | | away from the skull till you see the call |
| absorb the radiation more than fully hardened | | | | fully connected. |
| adult skulls. | | | | |
| | | | Weak signal results in higher radiation so |
| These hazards may exist but cell phones have | | | | avoid making calls in areas where reception |
| become part of everyday living like cars and | | | | is poor as the device will try to boost its |
| cannot be dispensed with. In the light of | | | | power to get you a connection and resultantly |
| this fact, doing away with our phones may not | | | | bombard you with more radiation. |
| be a practical approach to solving the health | | | | |
| hazards issue. Rather we can adopt some | | | | We cannot do away with cellular devices |
| habits to mitigate the effects of the | | | | looking at the convenience they have ushered |
| radiation. | | | | consumers in. Nevertheless, we can adopt some |
| | | | helpful attitudes to minimize the harmful |
| Children should not use cell phones for long | | | | effects this technology is bringing to |
| calls. They should sue land lines instead so | | | | mankind. |