Since the inception of cell phones (mobile or wireless), the debate over whether mobile or cell phones causes certain kind of cancer or other related health problems has been ongoing and it is obviously going to be a long. Just like so many other issues bothering on scientific investigations, we don’t expect to have a consensus answer anytime soon.

Mobile phones are known to emit radiofrequency energy (radio waves), a form of electromagnetic radiation known as non-ionising radiation. The human body or tissues nearest the antenna or the head of the phone can easily absorb radio frequency radiation.

Ionising radiation is another form of electromagnetic radiation which is of higher frequency and energy. It is no longer news that exposure to ionising radiation such as x-rays and radon are known to cause or increase the risk of cancer. However, there is currently no consistent evidence linking non-ionising radiation from radar, cell phones, microwave ovens to increase cancer risk.

BUT REMEMBER!
We were once told by scientists that there was no evidence or link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Personally, I am of the opinion we practice safe use of mobile phones while we allow the researchers to continue with their research.

At this juncture, I will like to inform you that this post is not for the light-hearted. So be prepared

Cell Phone-Cancer Link - What studies have indicated so far:


In May 2016, the US National Toxicology Program published a study that found a potential link between increased phone use and cancer. The report stated that the more exposure the test rats received the more likely they were to develop some form of heart or brain tumour.

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) in the USA states that phone use is safe and has no link to cancer. Oh well, coming from the industry itself, I would be surprised if they have stated otherwise.

In 2011, the WHO listed cell phone or mobile phone radiation as 2B carcinogen, the expert Working Group classified cell phone use as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on evidence human studies and evidence from studies on radiofrequency energy and its effects on rodents.

Studies have shown that sperm tends to die three times faster and damage to the mitochondrial DNA is thrice in men with exposure to cell phone radiation compared to men who are hardly exposed.

Those who begin using cell phones as teenagers have four to five times higher chance of being diagnosed with brain cancer
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that no scientific evidence definitely answers whether cell phone use causes cancer.

The Environmental Health Trust suggests that it could take more than ten years or more for brain tumours to develop or manifest. And that studies that show no correlation between cancer and cell phone radiation were carried out within a shorter time frame, mostly between 5-7 years.

The only biologically consensus reached and recognised by scientists so far is the ability of radiofrequency energy (cell phones radiation) to cause heating to the area of the body nearest where a cell or mobile phones is held (the ear and the head). This can be seen in the heating effect of microwave oven on food.

Nigerians at higher risks of cell phone radiation

In the US, the Federal Communications Commission tests all phones before they are sold to the general public to ensure that a phone’s SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) or how much radio frequency a phone emits is within safe limits. FCC states 1.6 watts/kilogramme (w/kg), Canada also has a 1.6 w/kg limit while the European Union and Australia mandate a 2.0 w/kg limit.

The question here is what is the SAR limit for phones imported into the shores of Nigeria?. If there is actually SAR limit for cell phones sold by marketers and the large chunk of Chinese mobile phones manufacturers flooding our stores. Is it enforced? Who is the doing what? What are the roles of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in ensuring that the health of Nigerians and that of the general consumers of these products are protected?

To be honest, the answers to the above questions are baffling if not worrisome, to say the least. The Nigerian mobile phone market is currently siege as a lot of unpopular brands most which are fake and substandard are fast penetrating the market.

There have been lots of rhetoric from government agencies like the SON and NCC on their determination to weed out substandard products from the Nigerian mobile market.

There have been lots of rhetoric from government agencies like the SON and NCC on their determination to weed out substandard products from the Nigerian mobile market.

Just last year, at the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, the executive vice chairman of NCC, Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta had this to say

“Today there are different types of handsets in the market, some of these devices did not meet international benchmarks for safety and other requirements. They do not only pose risks to the users but also degrade the quality of service in the networks for others”
The NCC had promised that it would take necessary measures to protect the nation from being a dumping ground for fake cell phones or unauthorised cell phones not approved by the NCC. The commission reiterated that it was conscious of the health implications of unapproved cell phones on the populace.

How many of the so-called fake cell phones have been confiscated and destroyed? Has anyone been prosecuted? I doubt

What concrete steps were they talking about?

The following screen shots images taken from Nairaland.com, one of the most popular forums in Nigeria would tell you a lot more than a million of my words would have done

Screenshots added as attachments

With over 150 million phones subscribers in Nigeria as at August 2016, Nigerians could be worst hit and could be on the brink of a major health crisis in the nearest future if there happen to be a sure link between cell phones radiation and cancer.

With the above reaction from Nigerians, it's deductible that Nigerians expect so much more from the NCC and other related agencies. The fine of N4 million naira to Innjoo Technology was not just a show of shame but a slap on Nigerians. Such soft landing won't deter these corporate entities who do not take into consideration the harmful effects of their actions on the health of Nigerians.

Ways to protect yourself from cell phone radiation

It is advisable to text more and talk less –this will help reduce your conversation time on cell phones and keep it away from your body.

Use a wired headset- Create distance between your head and your cell phone – make use of a wired headset or speaker (not a Bluetooth)

Keep it out of your pocket. This is especially true to men as cell phone radiation is linked to sperm mortality.

Don’t keep it under the pillow. Never place an active phone under the pillow when you are about to sleep or anywhere near the head. If you must please place it on airplane mode or switch it off completely.

Don’t put in your bra. This habit is seen amongst market women and traders.

Do not use your cell phones when moving at high speeds. Radiation tends to increase as your phone tries to connect with each network antennae. If you can, avoid using phones in cars, trains, buses and elevators.

If you are pregnant: do not hold a mobile or cell phone close to your stomach.

It is not just about brain cancer or other type of cancers, mobile cell phone use can give children headaches, decrease male fertility, disrupt sleep, affect the body PH level making it more acidic and impaired glucose metabolism. This ultimately may lead to other causes health hazards.

As a general rule, mobile phones should be kept away from children as they have thin skull and their brain tissues are still developing. Children have the risks of exposure to many years of cell phone radiation that adults and that could be lethal in the long run.

Don’t wait to be told before you take action. You owe yourself that duty to limit your exposure to cell phones radiation. Don’t be the test rat whose case would eventually prove that cell phone radiation could cause cancer.

You are at liberty to share this post with your friends. It is your duty to keep them informed.

Cc lalasticlala


http://www.humantherapyhub.com/2016/10/can-mobile-phones-cause-cancer-what-you-need-know.html