Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

The flip side of mobile phone use

Thiruvananthapuram: Electronic gadgets used in homes in general and mobile phones in particular do pose health hazards, according to noted neurosurgeon A. Marthanda Pillai.

In an article published in the latest issue of the Kerala Medical Journal, a scientific publication of the Kerala State branch of the Indian Medical Association, Dr. Marthanda Pillai said electromagnetic fields in home environment (colour TV, computer monitor, microwave oven, cellular phone, etc.) contribute towards development of cancer.

The article pointed out that mobile phones emitted radiation whenever calls were made. Brain is made up of water tissue, capable of absorbing microwave radiation. Scientists believe that there might be two main effects of mobile calls — heating these tissues and altering cell membranes.

A study of 11,000 mobile users carried out by Kjell-Hansson Mild in the National Institute of Working Life, Umea, Sweden, suggested an increase in fatigue, headaches and skin irritation for regular users.

According to scientists, cordless phones did not pose health risks because they use only one fifth of the power of mobile phones.

Dr. Marthanda Pillai said doubt had been cast on the safety of cellular phone use by epileptic patients.

Intense conversation over cellular phone while driving distracted all age groups. The results were not influenced by gender or prior experience with cellular phones. The use of cell phone also interfered with functioning of biomedical equipment.

Functional failure of dialysis machine, respirators and defibrillators had prompted a ban on mobile phones in some hospitals in Scandinavia.

Studies showed that mobile phones should be used at a distance of one to 1.5 metres from medical devices.

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