Health Impact of Health Impact of Cell Phones, Cell Phones,

Microwaves, and Microwaves, and BluetoothBluetooth

~ Janice Wong ~ Janice Wong

Cell Phones - Cell Phones - Contents Contents

• Physic of cell phone Physic of cell phone • What type of radiation?What type of radiation?• Testing for radiation? Testing for radiation? • How it affects humans?How it affects humans?• Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?• FAQFAQ

Physic of Cell Physic of Cell PhonePhone

•Cell phone are essentially radios •A city is divided into small cells (a base station that consists of a tower and radio equipment)•Cell phones have big ranges because it is able to switch cells as they (cell phone) move around

Physic of Cell Physic of Cell PhonePhone•A cell phone is a full-duplex device – meaning there is one frequency for talking and another frequency for listening. Therefore, both people on the call can talk at once•Similar to a radio, cell phone also have channels. However, while radio has about 40 channels; cell phones, on the other hand, can communicate on over 1000 channels •Each channel can be used by one caller at a time

• All cell phones emits radio-frequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation

• Within electromagnetic radiation, it can be divided into two types– Ionizing (high-frequency)– non-ionizing (low-frequency)

• RF energy is a type of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation• Cell phone frequencies are between 800 to 1200MHz Cell phone frequencies are between 800 to 1200MHz

(megahertz)(megahertz)• Therefore, cell phone produce low intensity frequencies

Ionizing

Non-Ionizing

What type of radiation?

Testing for Radiation

• Before the cell phone is released into the market, all models has to be tested for radiation to meet FCC standards

• FCC is based on the overall heating effects of radio-frequency energy

• Radiation levels are tested based on the specific absorption rate (SAR)

• SAR is a way of measuring the amount of radio-frequency energy that is absorbed by the human body

• In order for the cell phone to meet the standards, the phone's maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram

How it affects humans?How it affects humans?• A cell phone's main source of RF energy is produced A cell phone's main source of RF energy is produced

through its antennathrough its antenna• For that reason, tFor that reason, the closer the antenna is to the head, he closer the antenna is to the head,

the greater a person's exposure to RF energythe greater a person's exposure to RF energy• Some studies shows that energy produced by cell phones Some studies shows that energy produced by cell phones

may affect the brain and other tissues in the head may affect the brain and other tissues in the head • The main concern is whether there is a risk of brain The main concern is whether there is a risk of brain

tumor (cancer) tumor (cancer) • Researchers have mainly focused on whether RF energy Researchers have mainly focused on whether RF energy

can cause cancerous brain tumors or benign can cause cancerous brain tumors or benign (noncancerous) tumors(noncancerous) tumors

Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?• For years, there have been debates on whether For years, there have been debates on whether

cell phones are actually a health hazard or just cell phones are actually a health hazard or just an urban mythan urban myth

Is there even a risk of brain tumor from cell Is there even a risk of brain tumor from cell phones?phones?

• For a while, studies have shown that there is no For a while, studies have shown that there is no conclusive evidence that proves non-ionizing conclusive evidence that proves non-ionizing radiation emitted by cell phones is associated radiation emitted by cell phones is associated with cancer riskwith cancer risk

• Studies suggest that radiation from cell phones Studies suggest that radiation from cell phones is too low to cause significant tissue heating or is too low to cause significant tissue heating or any health risk any health risk

• Therefore, people are under the impression that Therefore, people are under the impression that radiation emitted from cell phones is harmlessradiation emitted from cell phones is harmless

Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?• However, an article titled: It’s official now:

Radiation from your cell phone may be killing you (released on Jan 2, 2011 in the Daily News and Analysis) have verified by research and tests that cell phone radiation is affecting our health

• These are some of the statistics from the article – Exposure to electromagnetic fields (cell phone

and cell tower) can cause sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

– Cell phone frequencies can cause damage to the DNA of the body's cells.

– Excessive use of mobile phones (30 minutes per day for 10 years) increases the risk of brain cancer.

FAQ? FAQ?

What is the Electromagnetic spectrum?• It is the frequency range of electromagnetic

waves. RF energy from cell phones is classified under the microwave range in the electromagnetic spectrum

Why is there concern that cell phones may be a heath risk?

• Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy (RF), which is a form of radiation. It has been under study for many years for its effects on the human body

• The number of cell phone users has increased rapidly over the years. Therefore, if there is health impact in using cell phones, it is important to be aware of the circumstances

What determines how much RF energy a cell phone user experiences?

• The number and duration of calls• The cell phone traffic (how many people are using

cell phones)• The distance from the nearest cellular base station• The size of the handset• Hands-free device

Do children have a higher risk of developing cancer due to cell phone use than adults?

• Children are more vulnerable to cell phone radiation than adults. The younger the child, the deeper the penetration of electromagnetic radiation because the children's skulls are thinner. (Stats show that there is 400% increase in the risk of brain cancer for teenagers using cell phones)

FAQ?

GoogleGoogle

DocDoc

Survey Survey

Google Doc Survey Results

This survey proves that the cell phone radiation debate that has been going on for a long time is important because everyone I surveyed owns a cell phone (results from the 1st column)

The results are pretty even. About half the people I surveyed are aware that cell phones emit radiation.

The results are not surprising. More than half of the people I surveyed use a cell phone more than once a day. This proves that if cell phone radiation affects our health, it is a big deal because of the amount of time people are using their cell phones.

Bluetooth - Bluetooth - Contents Contents

~ Cell phone headsets ~ Cell phone headsets • Physic of bluetoothPhysic of bluetooth• What type of radiation?What type of radiation?• Testing for radiation Testing for radiation • How it affects humans?How it affects humans?• Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?

Physic of BluetoothPhysic of Bluetooth

• It enable cell phones to It enable cell phones to transmit the audio transmit the audio from the phone to the headset, allowing the from the phone to the headset, allowing the user to listen and speak without holding the user to listen and speak without holding the phone and/or dealing with wire phone and/or dealing with wire

• It uses radio frequencies to communicate It uses radio frequencies to communicate data (similar to cell phones)data (similar to cell phones)

• Its signals are able to travel over a distance Its signals are able to travel over a distance of 10 to 300 feet.of 10 to 300 feet.

• Bluetooth connection is wireless and Bluetooth connection is wireless and automatic, but it automatic, but it sends out weak radio sends out weak radio signalssignals

• Bluetooth uses "spread-spectrum frequency Bluetooth uses "spread-spectrum frequency hopping" to ensure that each device is on a hopping" to ensure that each device is on a different frequency and therefore they do not different frequency and therefore they do not interfere with one another (similar to cell interfere with one another (similar to cell phones)phones)

~ The type of radiation emitted from bluetooth are the same as cell phone (same category)

• All bluetooths emits radio-frequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation

• RF energy is a type of non-ionizing (low-frequency)

• Bluetooth frequencies are between 1 to Bluetooth frequencies are between 1 to 2.5 GHz (gigahertz)2.5 GHz (gigahertz)

• Therefore, bluetooths produce low intensity frequencies

What type of radiation?

Testing for Radiation

~Bluetooth are tested the same way as cell phones: based on the specific absorption rate (SAR)

• In order for the bluetooth to meet the standards, the maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram

• Studies have shown that, in general, the SAR level emitted from bluetooth are considerably lower compared cell phones

• A study from Queen's University in Belfast found that a Sony Ericsson Bluetooth generates an SAR of just 0.001 watts per kilogram

How it affects humans?How it affects humans?• Like cell phones, some worry that Bluetooth radiation may Like cell phones, some worry that Bluetooth radiation may

cause health problems because both emit radio wavescause health problems because both emit radio waves• Some sensitive users to the waves complain of nausea, Some sensitive users to the waves complain of nausea,

eyestrain, headaches and other bothersome symptoms eyestrain, headaches and other bothersome symptoms associated with their exposure to bluetoothassociated with their exposure to bluetooth

• The Bluetooth cell phone handset devices The Bluetooth cell phone handset devices emits signals emits signals at about 1 milliwatt – which is at about 1 milliwatt – which is extremely low (compared to some cell phones, extremely low (compared to some cell phones, which emit around 3 watts)which emit around 3 watts)• Therefore, it is not considered to be a health Therefore, it is not considered to be a health risk and there are no evidence in any long term risk and there are no evidence in any long term effects from using bluetootheffects from using bluetooth

Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?

X-ray - X-ray - Contents Contents

•Physic of x-rayPhysic of x-ray•What type of What type of radiation?radiation?•How it affects How it affects humans?humans?•Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?

Physic of X-raysPhysic of X-rays• A X-ray machine is essentially a cameraA X-ray machine is essentially a camera• Instead of visible light (used in camera), it uses Instead of visible light (used in camera), it uses

X-rays to expose the filmX-rays to expose the film• The “light” that the x-rays uses are The “light” that the x-rays uses are

electromagnetic waveselectromagnetic waves• Compared to visible light, x-ray has a much Compared to visible light, x-ray has a much

shorter wavelength, which means it has a much shorter wavelength, which means it has a much higher higher frequency frequency

• X-Rays only show solid forms in the body – X-Rays only show solid forms in the body – bones. This is because the bones are dense and bones. This is because the bones are dense and absorb more X-rays then your skin does absorb more X-rays then your skin does

• This is why there is a white part on a x-ray film This is why there is a white part on a x-ray film which show the bones in the body; the black which show the bones in the body; the black parts are soft tissue, like organs, or liquid parts are soft tissue, like organs, or liquid

• Therefore, with x ray, doctors are able to see Therefore, with x ray, doctors are able to see any irregular forms or growth within the body any irregular forms or growth within the body

• X-ray are classified under the ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum

• X-rays are between ultraviolent rays and gamma rays

• The frequency range from 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz (3 × 1016 Hz to 3 × 1019 Hz)

What type of radiation?

How it affects humans?How it affects humans?• Everyone believes that x-rays are considered to be Everyone believes that x-rays are considered to be

dangerous and harmful to humans (whether it is dangerous and harmful to humans (whether it is dental or medical)dental or medical)

• However, reports have shown that a few x-rays are However, reports have shown that a few x-rays are not harmful, only not harmful, only prolonged exposureprolonged exposure

• A specific concern is whether x-rays causes cancerA specific concern is whether x-rays causes cancer• Studies have been tested and proven that Studies have been tested and proven that

ddiagnostic x-rays do not increase the risk of cancer iagnostic x-rays do not increase the risk of cancer (only chances if overexposure)(only chances if overexposure)

• Besides early cell deaths in the body by radiation Besides early cell deaths in the body by radiation from the x-ray machine, there is no specific long from the x-ray machine, there is no specific long term effects term effects

• However, there is one risk with x-rays: Genetic However, there is one risk with x-rays: Genetic damage to reproductive cells (Damage to an ovum damage to reproductive cells (Damage to an ovum in a woman or sperm cells in a woman or sperm cells may result in may result in deformed baby or a miscarriage) deformed baby or a miscarriage)

• Therefore, pregnant women with their unborn Therefore, pregnant women with their unborn baby are affected the mostbaby are affected the most

• Since their cells are growing rapidly, unborn Since their cells are growing rapidly, unborn children are most sensitive to radiationchildren are most sensitive to radiation

How it affects humans?How it affects humans?• Most of the risks that people are familiar Most of the risks that people are familiar

with relating to x-rays are just from with relating to x-rays are just from overexposureoverexposure

• Some long term effects are:Some long term effects are:– ErythemaErythema– CataractsCataracts– CancerCancer

• Therefore, x-rays are only Therefore, x-rays are only considered a health risk if considered a health risk if there is overexposure with there is overexposure with radiation from the machineradiation from the machine• Other than that, the risk is very Other than that, the risk is very minimal minimal

Is it a health risk?Is it a health risk?

GoogleGoogle

DocDoc

Survey Survey

Google Doc Survey Results

Everyone I surveyed, with the exception of one person, has taken a x-ray before. Most people have at least received a dental x-ray if not more x-ray for other parts of their body.

This shows me that even though people have taken This shows me that even though people have taken x-rays before and think there is a big risk, no one x-rays before and think there is a big risk, no one has side effects from the machine with the exception has side effects from the machine with the exception of one person. From the results, only 14% (1 person) of one person. From the results, only 14% (1 person) actually had a side effect from the x-ray.actually had a side effect from the x-ray.

This proves that most people are under the This proves that most people are under the impression that even one x-ray is harmful to their impression that even one x-ray is harmful to their body. Around 71% think that x-rays can emit body. Around 71% think that x-rays can emit harmful radiation to the body. However, in reality harmful radiation to the body. However, in reality only overexposure will have long term effects.only overexposure will have long term effects.

Summary NotesSummary NotesCell Phone • Basically radios • A city is divided into small cells (a base station that consists of a tower and radio

equipment)• Cell phones have big ranges because it is able to switch cells as they (cell phone)

move around

• full-duplex device – meaning there is one frequency for talking and another frequency for listening. Therefore, both people on the call can talk at once

• cell phone also have channels. However, while radio has about 40 channels; cell phones, on the other hand, can communicate over 1000 channels

• debates on whether cell phones are actually a health hazard or just an urban mythdebates on whether cell phones are actually a health hazard or just an urban mytha risk of brain tumor from cell phones?a risk of brain tumor from cell phones?• No conclusive evidence that proves non-ionizing radiation emitted by cell phones is No conclusive evidence that proves non-ionizing radiation emitted by cell phones is

associated with cancer riskassociated with cancer risk• Studies suggest that radiation from cell phones is too low to cause significant tissue Studies suggest that radiation from cell phones is too low to cause significant tissue

heating or any health risk heating or any health risk • For years, there have been debates on whether cell phones are actually a health For years, there have been debates on whether cell phones are actually a health

hazard or just an urban mythhazard or just an urban mythArticle: It’s official now: Radiation from your cell phone may be killing you Exposure to electromagnetic fields (cell phone and cell tower) can cause sleep disorders

and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. – Cell phone frequencies can cause damage to the DNA of the body's cells. – Excessive use of mobile phones (30 minutes per day for 10 years) increases the

risk of brain cancer.

Summary NotesSummary NotesBluetoothBluetooth• It enable cell phones to It enable cell phones to transmit the audio from the phone to the headset, transmit the audio from the phone to the headset,

allowing the user to listen and speak without holding the phone and/or dealing allowing the user to listen and speak without holding the phone and/or dealing with wire with wire

• It uses radio frequencies to communicate data (similar to cell phones)It uses radio frequencies to communicate data (similar to cell phones)• Its signals are able to travel over a distance of 10 to 300 feet.Its signals are able to travel over a distance of 10 to 300 feet.• Bluetooth connection is wireless and automatic, but it Bluetooth connection is wireless and automatic, but it sends out weak radio sends out weak radio

signalssignals• Bluetooth uses "spread-spectrum frequency hopping" to ensure that each Bluetooth uses "spread-spectrum frequency hopping" to ensure that each

device is on a different frequency and therefore they do not interfere with one device is on a different frequency and therefore they do not interfere with one another (similar to cell phones)another (similar to cell phones)

Testing – same as cell phonesTesting – same as cell phones• In order for the bluetooth to meet the standards, the maximum SAR level must

be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram• A study from Queen's University in Belfast found that a Sony Ericsson

Bluetooth generates an SAR of just 0.001 watts per kilogramHealth risk?Health risk?• some worry that Bluetooth radiation may cause health problems because both some worry that Bluetooth radiation may cause health problems because both

emit radio wavesemit radio waves• Some sensitive users to the waves complain of nausea, eyestrain, headaches Some sensitive users to the waves complain of nausea, eyestrain, headaches

and other bothersome symptoms associated with their exposure to bluetoothand other bothersome symptoms associated with their exposure to bluetooth

Summary NotesSummary NotesX-raysX-rays• dental or medicaldental or medical• only only prolonged exposure is harmfulprolonged exposure is harmful• concern is whether x-rays causes cancerconcern is whether x-rays causes cancer• Studies have been tested and proven that dStudies have been tested and proven that diagnostic x-rays do not increase the risk of cancer iagnostic x-rays do not increase the risk of cancer

(only chances if overexposure)(only chances if overexposure)• Besides early cell deaths in the body by radiation from the x-ray machine, there is no specific Besides early cell deaths in the body by radiation from the x-ray machine, there is no specific

long term effects long term effects • Genetic damage to reproductive cells (Damage to an ovum in a woman or sperm cells Genetic damage to reproductive cells (Damage to an ovum in a woman or sperm cells may may

result in deformed baby or a miscarriage) result in deformed baby or a miscarriage) • pregnant women (unborn baby), affected the most with their unborn baby are affected the mostpregnant women (unborn baby), affected the most with their unborn baby are affected the mostType of radiation• ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum (between ultraviolent rays and gamma rays)• The frequency range from 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz (3 × 1016 Hz to 3 × 1019 Hz) • A X-ray machine is essentially a cameraA X-ray machine is essentially a camera• Instead of visible light (used in camera), it uses X-rays to expose the filmInstead of visible light (used in camera), it uses X-rays to expose the film• The “light” that the x-rays uses are electromagnetic wavesThe “light” that the x-rays uses are electromagnetic waves• Compared to visible light, x-ray has a much shorter wavelength, which means it has a much Compared to visible light, x-ray has a much shorter wavelength, which means it has a much

higher higher frequency frequency • X-Rays only show solid forms in the body – bones. This is because the bones are dense and X-Rays only show solid forms in the body – bones. This is because the bones are dense and

absorb more X-rays then your skin does absorb more X-rays then your skin does • white part, bones in the body; white part, bones in the body; • the black parts, soft tissue or liquid Therefore, with x ray, doctors are able to see any irregular the black parts, soft tissue or liquid Therefore, with x ray, doctors are able to see any irregular

forms or growth within the body forms or growth within the body

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