GO MOBILE – BUT IN A SAFE WAY

In view of the exponentially increasing usage of mobile phones, there has been much apprehension worldwide about the health concerns (thermal as well non-thermal biological effects) of its prolonged (a few hours a day!) use. Once upon a time its use was “once in a while” or occasional. Parents often give mobile phones to children to play with! Landlines are being replaced by mobiles.

Keeping in mind the uncertainty and the gaps in our knowledge about the health effects of exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) radiation, particularly due to its prolonged usage, it is not advisable to completely rule out adverse health effects, even at levels of RF exposures below the available international guidelines. It is reported that the latest Bluetooth devices also use RF with the spectrum in the range 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The power output from a typical Class 3 Bluetooth device is 1 mW/square cm, which is of the same order of the limit for exposure of RF from cell-phones, which uses RF of 0.9 GHz (900 MHz). In fact, the Bluetooth devices are for attachment to the ear all the time. This may do irreversible damage to the ear internals.

Hence, it is advisable to have precautionary approaches such as:
i) Using the cell-phones only occasionally for passing on the messages and for small
talk. Do not use the mobiles for gossip.
ii) Do not stand directly in front of and very close to microwave antennas.
iii) Find out its RF emission levels / SAR Value before its purchase.
iv) Use hand-free types to minimize the exposure to head and neck region.
v) Avoid exposure of the children and pregnant women to RF radiation from mobile
phones.