Sociology

One might find it difficult to imagine how he or she can suffer from health hazards just using of a mobile phone. Health experts as well as mobile users have reported that indeed mobile phones have adverse health effects. Many experts who have researched on the effects of mobile phones do support that there is a correlation between cancer and cell phone use. Microwave emissions from cell phones have show a higher likelihood of causing cancer. Cell phones therefore cause cancer.

Evidences of cell phone as a cause of cancer
Despite the fact that the cell phone industry is protecting is image by telling people that there are no health effect related to cell phone use, there are scientific evidences that proves the opposite. A cell phone is essentially transit sound through waves and like other waves, they have adverse health effect. In the process of transmission, there are radiations transmitted and depending on how close an individual is to the cell phone, health risks correspond proportionately. Cell phones do transmit radiations in every direction as it is designed which implies that radiations can reach any part of one’s body (Sil 2009).

There are many studies that have been carried out to investigate whether indeed cell phone use cause cancer. Some of the researchers have shown that there is a connection between cell phone with different types of cancer like glioma, meningioma, and acoustic neuroma.  Since cell phone was invented, there have been fears regarding its health hazards. This has been proved by a number of studies that have been scientifically conducted.  Researches have proved that cell phones emit waves and just like other rays which normally pose health risks, cell phone waves pose health risk as well.  Consumers have founded fear on any gadget which emits microwaves since scientific evidence shows that close contact of the sensitive body organs like brain with these waves increases the likelihood of developing cancerous cells.  This fear has even spread to the use of other mobile related deceives like Bluetooth. This is because they are normally placed inside one’s ear and hence they are close to the brain than the actual mobile phone. Microwave energy as reported by the Journal of cellular biochemistry are more likely to cause cancer especially in case of multiple and frequent exposure. It is also reported that they are likely to cause fast aging of cells. According to Italian scientists, they cause cancerous cells to aggressively grow and spread first to other body organs (Worthington, 2009).

The relationship between microwave and cancer disease has been documented in early twentieth century, even during the Cold War. During cold war, it is recorded that U.S was irradiated by the Soviet Union and two ambassadors developed leukemia due to the effects of the radiation waves.  There were reports that other staffs also developed cancer. Another research by the university of Washington pin points out that brain cells are destroyed by microwave energy.  Dr. Lai shows that even small frequency of such radiations can accumulate and with time can lead to health hazards. He clarified that any form of wireless transmissions should be minimally used.  Motorola Company is reported to advise its consumers not to point a cellular antenna towards any exposed part of their bodies. Research portrays that cell phones give out large contents of radiation and more specifically through the keypads as well as the mouth piece. These radiations do get into the ear and ultimately into the brain which is easily affected by the radiations.

Apart from risk posed during making or receiving a call, use of belt clips has also been identified as another risky behavior to one’s health.  This can pose health risk to the kidneys and the liver and can result in cancer in these body organs. Current research shows that there are other effects which are related to cancer. They have adverse effects like nerve damage, hemoglobin leakage in the blood cells, headaches, and others (Worthington, 2009). In 1993, due to the increased fear in the market, Telecom industry gave out $25milion dollars to embark on research to prove that cell phones do not cause cancer. The research gave different results but it was confirmed that cell phone use poses a risk for development of cancer. Telecom has been fighting to prove that it does not cause cancer and they have run various advertisements to convince the public that cell phone use is safe.

Children are at higher risk when exposed to microwave radiations. In some of the European countries, parents are warned to be aware of the adverse effects of cell phones on their children. A researcher at the University of Utah found out that effects vary with the age in children.  A younger child is more affected than an elderly one because the radiations tend to get into the brain more easily (Consumeraffairs.com 2009). Cell phones affect the electrical activity and development in children as reported by a Spanish researcher. The society is therefore in for greater problems in the future because many children nowadays are on phone most of their times. Evidence shows that in January 2008, French health ministry issues a warning concerning cell phone use among children due to the health risks.

Most governments argue that there is no firm evidence confirming the relationship between cancer and cell phone use, yet the more the delay in acknowledging research findings, the more the effects spread especially to children. It is reported that Telecom Company collaborates with some scientist experts to hide the truth due to fear of loosing their customers. Currently, there are many cases pending in court which are related to cell phone adverse effects. Apart from cell phone use, research findings reveal that RF transmitters, which support cell phone communication, also cause cancer (Worthington, 2009).

In December 2007, there was a research carried out by Israeli researchers in the Journal of Epidemiology reported that rural dwellers have an elevated risk of tumors.  The research compared a group of rural dwellers to individuals living in the urban regions.  A publication in the International Archives Occupational and Environmental Health affirms that increased use of cell phones refers to approximately using it for 2000 hours. The 2000 hours translates to an equivalent of 10years that one is at work and minimum use for one hour per day. There were 2000 patients that were studied within the age bracket of 20 to 80. About 905 individuals from the group had brain tumors and one tenth of the group was reported to be frequent cell phone users (West 2009). The researchers reported that from the group, there were 85 individuals who had used mobile phones ever since they were young. In addition, the research conclusively warned that individuals, who had a habit of using cell phones more frequently especially before the age of 20, were at a very high risk of developing brain tumors.

The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Communication Workers of America (CWA), reports that high radio radiations do penetrate the body and thus the molecules which come in contact collide causing heat which might result in burning of body cells. According to CWA, if the radiations are too high, they can even cause tissue or skin damage. In addition, CWA confirms that their scientific research shows that there are negative effects on health that have been pointed out to microwaves. These effects normally come about as a result of prolonged exposure to radiations and this is common for individuals who engage in long talks over the phone. Other problems attributed to microwave radiation are male and female reproductive system problems as well as brain damage (West 2009).

Tests conducted by the University of Stanford and the Integrated Laboratory Systems portrayed changes in chromosomes in the blood cells that were projected to electromagnetic rays. The research also portrayed some correlated cases of brain cancer from cell phone use. This research was undertaken with full support from the cellular telephone industry. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is a great need to look into the issue so as to reduce the use of cell phone or even curb it (U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2009).  In addition, there was an epidemiological research which looked into the issue and confirmed an increase in the rate of cases of certain cancers related to cell phone use. Some of these cancers were neurocytomas. They are characterized by growth in the periphery of the brain and this was found to be rampant among cell phone users as compared to those who did not use. Surprisingly, a research carried out among right handed cell phone users revealed that most of them had brain problems on the right side of their brains.

Radio frequency has been a great threat to individuals and broadcasting, aviation and other related fields are reported to be warning their staff to avoid exposing themselves for long periods since it can lead to antenna transmission. The earlier cell phones used to have antennas placed outside cars and there were no cases of complications. The current cell phone does allow direct contact with the skull and still, it is duplex which means that it leaves the transmitter on when a user is listening or talking therefore leading to increased exposure time (Consumeraffairs.com, 2009).

It is clearly evident that the use of cell phone poses great health risk. As much as many people especially in the cell phone industry are denying this fact, the scientific evidence clearly shows that cell phone cause cancer.   Telecom Industries could be denying because if they admit most of their customers will withdraw but they should instead focus on educating consumers on the risk posed by long time of cell phones and how they can protect themselves. Cancer is claiming many lives every year and therefore it is necessary to take an action to assist individuals protect themselves since this does not mean that cell phones will have to be withdrawn from the market.