Health Risks Of Using Cell Phones

Health Risks With Cell Phones

1. Cell Phones And Cancer

Most of us believe that the use of cell phones may increase the risk of cancer. However, there is no consistent scientific evidence that supports this belief. As mentioned earlier, tissue heating is the only consistent effect of cell phone use.

At the frequencies the cell phones use, the heating is absorbed by the skin or superficial tissues, resulting in insignificant temperature rise in the brain or any other organ.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also claims that there is no substantial evidence that links cell phone use to cancer and hence we cannot arrive at any conclusion unless further research is undertaken.

2. Cell Phones And Germs

Cell phones are home to germs if we use them when our hands are dirty. A research has found that one in six cell phones is contaminated with some sort of fecal matter, probably because their owners did not wash their hands with soap after using the toilet. Some of the phones were found to harbor E. coli bacteria from fecal origin. If ingested into the body, E. coli can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Another study found the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the cell phones. Staph infections can turn into deep, painful abscesses.

From these studies we can conclude that we must keep our hands clean at all times. If our hands are dirty the same will be passed to the objects we touch.

3. Cell Phones And Accidents

Each day in the United States, over 8 people are killed and 1,161 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

Distracted driving is driving while doing some other activity which takes your attention away from it. Texting, talking on the cell phone, eating, and other activities account for distracted driving. Studies have also found that people using a cellphone had delayed braking reactions and were involved in more traffic accidents than when they were not conversing on a cellphone. Distracted driving is harmful for both the driver and the pedestrians.

4. Cell Phones And Eyestrain

Small screen and bright light can the strain eyes. The eyes use more muscles to adjust to the different lighting in and around the screen. This is when you feel your eyes are hurting. Those using cell phones may also have a habit of holding them too close to the eyes, which also add to eyestrain.

Keeping adequate distance between your eyes and the cell phone and increasing the font may help reduce eyestrain. Also, use the 20-20-20 rule. Take a 20-second break from your cell phone every 20 minutes and focus on something at least 20 feet away.

Prevention is better than cure, so let’s get into the habit of avoiding cell phones when wired telephones are available, texting instead of making a voice call, limiting the duration of calls, and making calls where reception is good.