Can radiation from appliances such as computers and mobile phones actually cook your brain?
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Hi, This is a valid question and certainly an area for concern. Although there is no proof to indicate that mobile phones or the associated base station towers can cause cancer, there is sufficient debate to cause doubt as to the relative safety. The thing is, it is a mutlibillion dollar industry and it will not be quashed without definite proof, which may not arise for some decades. As a telecommunications engineer I am aware of the power density levels produced by mobile phones and the effect they can have on different people.
Mobile phones and base stations also transmit radio frequency radiation (RFR). Dependant on the network this can range between 800MHz and 2GHz. These are radio waves located within the electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays which are known to cause cancer through ionizing radiation are also within the electromagnetic spectrum, however, RFRs cannot cause cancer in the same way as x-rays because RFRs are non-ionizing.
However, high levels of RFRs can cause health effects through heating the human body (thermal effects). To address this health effect, the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation Human Exposure) Standard 1999 specifies limits on public exposure to RF radiation from mobile phone base stations. The limits set by this Standard are only a fraction of the levels needed to cause thermal effects.
Whilst it cannot be shown at this point in time that the thermal effects from mobile phones are a health hazard there is a considerable body of scientific literature which describes the effects of RFR in biological systems that cannot be directly attributed to heating. These effects are referred to as non-thermal and have been demonstrated to cause alteration in animal behaviour, or changes in the functioning of cell membranes.
Digital mobile phones peak power outputs typically correspond to 2 Watts or 2000 milliwatts (mW) which averages to 250 mW of continuous power. The old analogue phones (AMPS system) has peak power limited to 600mW.
The higher power of 2W equates to a SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) of 4W/kg. (= 25mW/sq cm.) Max. allowable as identified in AS-2772 is 200microwatts/square cm. (But this standard does not apply for devices emmitting less than 7W!! Why so?? Although this transmitted level is considerably more that the standard it is only for a short time and the average power level of 250mW would be more applicable, which would result in a level of approx. 3micorwatts/sq cm.
Although the chronic but low level exposure from base stations and the intermittent but much higher exposure from mobile phones have different scenarios the scientific basis for assuming there is insufficient evidence for a health hazard is the same for both. The lack of evidence is based primarily on the following criteria;
- There is no evidence of a dose response curve.
- There is no known plausible biological mechanism for RFR to cause cancer or other diseases at the levels found in the mobile phone system.
- The scientific literature on RFR exposure and health effects is inconsistent.
In conclusion, I believe that mobile phones may have some adverse effects, but as it cannot be scientifically proven at present I would suggest that if you are concerned you should;
- Limit the prolonged use of mobiles to under a couple of minutes at a time.
- Use the phone in handsfree speaker mode.
- Avoid using the phone in a confined space (such as in the car or building) as this causes the phone to radiate at the higher power levels to get a signal out.
Regarding computers, they don't provide any more of a danger than the wiring in your house, TV, microwave oven and a range of other electrical appliances. As to the level of that danger or adverse exposure? Well that is the big unknown and only time will tell!!
No. There is no documented scientific evidence to support these rumors.
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