Minimise regular use of cell phones

Use of cell phones has been on the rise worldwide during in recent times. However, there are some health risks associated with their overuse.

Friday, March 15, 2013
Dr. Joseph Kamugisha

Use of cell phones has been on the rise worldwide during in recent times. However, there are some health risks associated with their overuse. Regular exposure to constant radio frequency radiation may interfere with the electrical fields of our body cells. Common health challenges that have been linked to regular exposure to radio frequency radiation include abnormal cell growth and damage to cellular DNA. Difficult in sleeping, depression, anxiety, and irritability are among the most common side effects. Other health complaints include childhood and adult leukemia, eye cancer, immune system suppression, attention span deficit and memory loss and infertility.Children are at a much higher risk of experiencing health problems related to regular exposure to radio frequency radiation than adults. This is because they have thinner and smaller skulls, which translate to greater absorption of radio frequency.Hence, many people, especially those living in the developed world, have resorted to frequent use of fixed phones and internet for communication than carrying cell phones all the time.There are materials or radio frequency detectors that can be used to prevent and detect the frequency of radio waves in our body but this creates discomfort. To put faith in any of the products on the market that claim to provide protection against radio frequency radiation is not prudent. This is why some people decide to stay away from cell phones whenever possible. Unfortunately, many people have little control over the location of cell phone towers and other broadcasting antennas that emit powerful radio frequency waves. More effort is still required from the ICT aspect to locate such towers and antennas in our local places. Some technological solutions have been provided to create instruments that can locally detect high frequency radio waves at an accessible price.By increasing public awareness of such health issues, authorities and cell phone manufacturers might in future do a better job to regulate the placement of cell phone towers and antennas.Most of the countries in the West have already created protective standards for human exposure to radio frequency radiation. In some countries, radio emitter materials such as towers are not allowed to be located near public and domestic places such as hospitals, schools, and homes.The availability of information concerning the dangers of cell phones use should be put into use so as to minimise any associated health risks. Such information can alert people. Today, many people are concerned about the regular use or exposure to radio frequency waves. They want to know the measures that will enable them overcome challenges associated with radio waves. As a result of radio wave challenges, a simple device known as a Gauss meter that can help one detect any electronic radio emitter as well as its frequency has been invented.This electronic emitter device can be found in domestic or public places. Another cell sensor known as an Electronic Emission Frequency ‘EMF’ or Cell Sensor EMF Detector is relatively inexpensive in some parts of the world and can largely be used to detect radio waves at home and office places.The writer is a doctor with the Rwanda Military Hospital - Kanombe