Are mobile phones health hazards?

How do mobile phones work? They use: a) Microwaves b) Magnetic fields

Microwaves Are high frequency radio waves Lie between infrared and conventional radio waves Range in wave length from about 1 mm to 30 cm

How can they harm us? Microwaves cause heating This in turn can cause cellular damage

Magnetic fields Arise from surges of electricity from the battery These are of low frequency

How can they harm us? Known to cause cellular mutation Possibly blood cancer (Leukaemia)

What illnesses might be linked with mobile phones? Headaches Sleep disruption Impairment of short term memory Infertility Brain tumours

Headaches An increase in permeability of the blood brain barrier Effects the transmitter in the brain. Eg. Dopamine Both are medically connected to headaches

Sleep Disruption Changes in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep Change in melatonin levels

Short term memory loss Microwave radiation to the head can target the hippocampus. Responsible for impairment of short term memory

Infertility Testicular temperature is 2 degrees below normal body temperature. Microwaves cause rise in temperature. Phones in trouser pockets can cause testicular temperature to rise. This interferes with sperm production

Brain Tumours Mobile phone users show a factorial increase of 2 to 3 in incidence of a rare tumour : according to a small study This occurs on the side of the brain nearest to the phone

Opinion 1 “Those using their mobile phone on the right side of their head, the risk of getting a tumour increased by two and a half times on that respective side.” -The view of a former BT engineer

Opinion 2 “…..could be something more here than what meets the eye. The science ….today……. suggests that there could be a problem that needs to be looked at very carefully.” - Dr. Carlo commenting on a rare tumour found in mobile phone users

Opinion 3 “…..until we have a definite conclusion, and results of much larger studies, we need to minimise exposure to human beings.” - View of Dr. Lennart Hardell (Sweden)

Experiments These harmful effects have been shown in labs and experiments on cells/animals. The exposure levels were much higher

In Humans: So far no clinical evidence exists to prove that mobile phones are harmful - Bandolier 2001

Hence long term studies with larger population groups are needed for accurate proof of safety

Conclusion So far no evidence exists of harm in humans Until larger studies are conducted best, to use it sparingly.

Evidence does exist that: Talking and driving don’t go together !