Mobile phones: Time to rethink and limit usage

Mobile phones: Time to rethink and limit usage

Paul B, Saha I, Kumar S, Samim Ferdows S K, Ghose G. 

Mobile phones: Time to rethink and limit usage. 

Indian J Public Health 2015;59:37-41 

 Abstract Radiofrequency waves generated from mobile phones cause potential public health problems. Short-term effects like changes in sleep, heart rate, and blood pressure, and long-term effects like carcinoma are well documented. The Government of India's efforts in laying down regulations regarding the safety limits, manufacture, marketing, and mobile use are still in nascent stage. The need for stringent enforcement of laws for prevention of phone usage while driving and guidelines of medical regulatory bodies regarding rules and regulations of phone usage while at class or attending patients is of utmost importance. This should be supplemented by mass media to raise awareness among people regarding the possible health effects of radiofrequency emissions from mobile phones and the guidelines to minimize its exposure. It is the need of the hour to teach young people to be structured, to know when to have the cell phone on, and to avoid becoming the slave of technology instead of its mastery.

ConclusionsThe fact remains that countries across the world are now beginning to get concerned about the impact of mobiles on human health and environment. Regulatory laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving have already been enforced in the USA. The Government of India's efforts in laying down regulations regarding the safety limits, manufacture, marketing, and mobile use are still in nascent stage; nevertheless, amendments in Information Technology Act 2008 [23] (dealing with cyber laws) and Motor Vehicles Act 1988 [24] (dealing with penalty of driving while using mobile phone) address certain legal issues. Formulation of guidelines by appropriate regulatory bodies regarding phone usage in workplace as well as for students, doctors, and other professionals is of utmost importance. This should be supplemented by mass media efforts (both electronic and print media) to raise awareness among people regarding the possible health effects of RF emissions from mobile phones and the guidelines to minimize its exposure. Hence, time has come to rethink and judiciously use mobile phone, check the SAR level before buying a handset, and to know when to switch it on and off so as to avoid becoming the slave of technology instead of its mastery.

Open Source:  http://www.ijph.in/text.asp?2015/59/1/37/152856--Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., DirectorCenter for Family and Community HealthSchool of Public HealthUniversity of California, BerkeleyElectromagnetic Radiation SafetyWebsite:              http://www.saferemr.comFacebook:            http://www.facebook.com/SaferEMRNews Releases:    http://pressroom.prlog.org/jmm716/Twitter:                 @berkeleyprc