Monday, August 27, 2012

Health Risks of Mobile Phone Use: Fact v Fiction

It’s long been a concern of many that using mobile phones escalates certain health risks. Yes, using mobile devices while driving, for instance, escalates risk of accident and injury. However, the health risks discussed in this specific topic are not external. Some rumored conditions from use include degradation of hearing to brain tumors. Let us discuss each health risk some more commonly held in fear and the truth behind each.

Brain Tumors
Too many people believe that mobile phones escalate risks of brain tumors forming from inherent radiation that mobiles generate. While it is certainly true that these devices do generate a small degree of radiation caused by the radio signal exchange, the amount of radiation exhibited by these devices is not significant enough to cause tumors to develop.

Children’s skin and organ tissues are more delicate and thin than those of an adult. If this particular fear is high enough, reduce the odds by prohibiting Bluetooth headsets. When a child holds the mobile phone to his ear instead of using the remote headset, the signal exchange ratio is reduce, thereby, reducing the radiation projected.
A series of extensive and comprehensive studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute verified that moderate use of Bluetooth headsets and to-ear mobile phone use poses no real brain tumors or cancer risks. Corded headsets reduce fears and radiation exposure, however, if the fear continues.
These rules, by the way, hold for users of all ages. Constantly wearing a Bluetooth headset is never recommended for any age, for it can produce other side-effects than one of radiation: Our ears need airflow. If the ear canal is blocked from that air flow, built-up moisture condenses and can cause infections that can damage the ear drum and fragile bones.
 Hearing Loss
If the volume is high continuously, the threat of hearing loss, starting in the upper frequency ranges, is actually real, just as listening to loud music can threaten full-range hearing. Ensure the incoming volume is adequate for clarity but not overly loud for convenience.
This audibility rule holds for headsets of all types and for speakers as well, whether they’re on a television set, a stereo, an MP3 or MP4 player or a smartphone.
 Sterilization
Stemming from radiation fears, the location and negligible amount of radiation mobile device exude have absolutely no impact on male or female sterility.  No medical study has ever confirmed that fable regarding mobile phone use.
 Emotional Health
Health concerns for children and mobile phone use extend beyond the physical. Adolescence and teenaged years can be extremely difficult for kids. Cyberbullying, inappropriate content viewed while surfing the Internet or even engaging in photo sharing and chat room conversation lead parental concerns.
Using their smartphones when supposedly sleeping or doing homework or other tasks are also on the concern list. Sending a photograph to someone who shouldn’t have those photographs can risk emotional trauma and extreme distress.
Parents can monitor text messages and call histories to help lessen those concerns. Also, parents can download onto their children’s mobile devices a lock-out program that will prevent mobile phone use during sleep hours, for example, or text messages during inappropriate times.
Parents might opt to explain the prohibition parameters, however. A child might opt to toss the mobile if he thinks it’s not working, causing additional expense and exasperation.
Unfortunately, emotional health problems from Internet-based actions or viral text messages can impact users of any age.