Cellphone Hazards‏

Cellphone Hazards‏

Dos and Dont's

- Use landlines instead of mobiles wherever possible.

- Don't use a cellphone if the signal is weak-that's when they shoot out more radiation.

- Talk less, text more; invest in a hands-free kit.

- Opt for a low SAR (specific absorption rate) phone and avoid sleeping with it.

- Children below eight should not be allowed to use mobile phones except in emergencies.

- It's difficult, but try not to use a cellphone for more than one-two minutes at a stretch.

- Try to live away from a cell phone tower-ideally more than five km away.

7 Reasons Why You Should Worry

The data is mixed and experts differ. But there's growing concern that the ubiquitous wireless technology has the potential to become the next public health disaster.

Heating trouble

Cellphones generate heat and these radiofrequencies are absorbed mostly by the head and neck. Heavy use increases the risk of raised cellular, tissue as well as body temperature.

Pregnancy and fertility

Pregnant women more likely to have children with problems. Cellphones can affect male fertility, too.

Genetic danger

Cellphone and cellphone tower radiation stress cells, releasing DNA-damaging free radicals and stress proteins that can cause degenerative brain damage like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis.

Sleep disorders

May activate brain's stress system; make people more alert, bring down the ability to wind down and reduce sleep.

Children run a greater risk

With their developing nervous system, growing tissues, thinner skulls, children run a greater risk of energy absorption. It can lead to memory loss, inability to learn and behavioural issues.

Long-term effects

Over 10 years of heavy cellphone use can double the risk of brain cancer and up the risk of ear tumours by four times. Long-term use, especially on one ear, may damage tissues in the inner ear and lead to deafness.

Cancer and tumours

Some researchers hold that radiofrequency fields are tumour initiators or they increase the uptake of carcinogens in cells. The World Health Organisation Interphone study in 2008 suggested a connection between long-term use and three types of tumours: glioma, cancer of the parotid (a salivary gland near the ear) and acoustic neuroma (a tumour that occurs where the ear meets the brain).

-- 7 hours of talk time a week and 56 messages on average. That's how badly hooked metro indians are to cellphones.

SO, TAKE CARE.