The appearance and evolution of cell phones is one of the fastest in the history of innovation. More than two-thirds of the world’s population is using this technology. Newly industrialized and developing countries are outstanding in their fast growth of cell phone use. Cell phone technology is an integral part of everyday life, and its use will continue to grow as providers proceed to offer more expansive services and newer, better products. But as these products become better, there is increasing concern over possible health fallouts—some of which can be fatal.
A cell phone is essentially a two-way radio, consisting of a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. When one talks to his or her friend on a cell phone, the phone converts the voice into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted via radio waves to the nearest cell tower. The network of cell towers then relays the radio wave to the friend’s cell phone, which converts it to an electrical signal and then back to sound again. These radio waves are made up of electromagnetic radiation that falls within the electromagnetic spectrum at a frequency of 800 MHz- 1990 MHz, right between radio waves and microwaves. These forms of radiation are so intense that they can break chemical bonds, ionize atoms and ultimately cause mutations in DNA.
Cell phone radiation, non-ionizing radiation, is thought to be able to have a harmful effect on the body by way of its magnetic field rather than its electric field. The magnetic field is said to be able to penetrate human skin and can affect the vibrations of molecules. A unit known as the specific absorption rate, or the SAR value, is used to measure how much radiation the body absorbs.
Various studies have shown these conclusions to be accurate. One study was done with pregnant rats. They were divided between a control group that was not exposed to cell phone radiation, and an experimental group of rats which were irradiated for approximately eight hours a day for the full gestation time. A micronucleus assay was used to detect the chromosomal damage that may have been induced to the newborn rats if the radiation were to be genotoxic. The results showed a significant increase in DNA damage in the newborn rats’ blood cells from the irradiated pregnant rats, confirming the researchers’ hypothesis that radiation from cell phones can harm mammalian DNA.
On the other hand, there have been studies that have seemingly come to disprove the notion that cell phone radiation can be harmful and have genotoxic effects. However, one study conducted back in 2002 may help to explain some of the inconsistencies between studies proving or disproving radiation’s negative effects on DNA. This study showed that the exposure time plays a role in determining whether genotoxic effects will occur. They found that exposure for either 3 or 24 hours did not induce a significant increase in DNA damage in cells, nor did exposure for 3 hours induce a significant increase in micronucleated cells.
However, exposure to each of the four radiofrequency (RF) signal technologies for 24 hours at an average SAR of 5.0 or 10.0 W/kg resulted in a significant and reproducible increase in the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes. This research demonstrates that, under extended exposure conditions and high RF signals, chromosomal damage in human cells can be induced.
Genotoxic effects of cell phone use have been specifically associated with brain tumors in many instances, due to the common practice of holding the phone close to one’s head as they use it. One study was done that showed that there was a correlation between the people who used cell phones for an extended period of time and an increased likelihood of the tumor being located on the temporal lobe of the brain, closer to where a cell phone would be placed during its use.
In addition to cell phones often being held close to one’s head, cell phones are also often kept in one’s pocket. This brings into question the potential mutagenic affects cell phones can have on male sperm. This is because at high intensities, radiofrequency radiation has heating properties that lead to thermal effects which increase tissue or body temperature and can cause reversible disruption of spermatogenesis.
Cell phones are the focal point of daily life’s modern advancement—consistently changing to perform better and achieve more in their capacity. However, this progress also comes at the expense of our health, as the studies mentioned above have proven. Although some yielded conflicting results, there is significant evidence that does suggest that long-term cell phone use can be harmful. Therefore, in order to keep safe, one should try to use headphones when speaking on the phone, and avoid keeping the cell phone in a pocket when not in use.