I think by now many of us have heard warnings (usually from our parents) that using too much handphone can cause brain damage or cell mutation due to radiation. I personally don't take these kinda things at face value and here's the take on it, after some research.
First, on the topic of radiation, what causes radiation to be harmful is that some forms of radiation (either subatomic or electromagnetic waves) carry enough energy to either; 1) knock out other subatomic particles from atoms, or 2) directly ionize the atom. Both causes the atom to become charged, or ionized.
Nuclear weapons are feared not only for their explosive power, but also because they release a portion of their energy in ionizing radiation, causing most survivors to suffer radiation poisoning and die later.
These forms of radiation are termed ionizing radiation, and they causes harm to living cells by;
1) Causing irreparable damage to DNA, resulting in cell death. If too many cells die, that organ of yours cannot function. You may have to buy a new organ, or use a keyboard. To make an online purchase for a new one, of course.
2) Causing DNA mutation, which is then replicated when the cell divides (i.e. it screws up the cell and it makes screwed up babies). This is very bad cause it can lead to cancer. And mutation is (almost) always bad, unlike what you see on TV.
As you can see, radiation kills from within by messing up a living thing from the most basic and foundational portion - their atoms. Faulty atoms lead to faulty molecules to faulty DNA to faulty cells to faulty organs to faulty body.
What kind of radiation is ionizing, and thereby dangerous? Most of us are familiar with the electromagnetic spectrum GXUIMR. The higher frequency waves (gamma ad X-rays and UV) are like crazy kids on a sugar rush - they have high energy levels, and are dangerous, so you wouldn't wanna be near them. On the other end of the spectrum lie radio waves and microwaves. These are low frequency waves and thus are not ionizing, no matter how much of them you are exposed to.
So guess where handphone radiation falls under?
Well it falls under micro waves - it doesn't have enough energy to ionize you. However, micro waves, like the oven that is named after it, does heat up living tissue quite well. Does that mean that if you're an egg-head, you're on your way to becoming hard-boiled? Fortunately, no. The radiation emitted from the handphone only heats up the surface of your head by less than a degree. That's like, very little - you will get more heated up if you take a walk in the sun, or argue with your parents over how "handphone radiation is not harmful".
So what other portions of the EM spectrum are safe? Well, listening to the radio won't make you an airhead (subjective - depends on which channel you listen to). Standing near your microwave oven won't mutate you into a vegetable (neither the one you eat nor the one that sleeps). The sun gives out infrared, and it will only turn you into-red. And visible light coming from the screen as you read this is, of course, safe, discounting exogenous hazards like myopia etc.
So handphones are safe no matter how long you use them for! This is because for non-ionizing radiation, the amount of exposure doesn't matter - each wave cannot do anything by its own energy, and no, they won't work together to achieve their common goal of ionizing your ear.
Then why do people complain of headaches? I think it's partially psychological - if you think you have a headache, you'll have a headache. Don't try it now. And I think the other part of the explanation has to do with the position of your handphone. I mean, if you use the head-and-shoulders method (clamping it to your head using your shoulders), you'll get cramps and other pains duh don't blame the handphone, do that with a shower head you'll get the same effect. Also, if you press the phone against your head for like half an hour, you're bound to experience some discomfort.
Why the head gets heated up at that region is not due to the handphone radiation either. as stated earlier, the heating effect of the radiation is negligible. I really think that the heat comes from YOU. When you clamp the poor phone to your head for an extended period of time, I should think that the poor air circulation will result in that area not being able to diffuse your body heat effectively. Try that with a shower head and you'll probably get the same effect.
So there, the handphone radiation myth is done for. You can tell that to your parents the next time they chide you for "excessive radiation from extended calls over the handphone leading to brain cell death and then poor exam results". Sadly however, I don't think this explanation will help you much.
After your long explanation, they'll pause for awhile, and then go, "Ok I don't care, I STILL don't allow your to use your handphone so much". OH BUMMER. All that for nothing. Good luck!
February 01, 2010
Quote of the week:
"relationships do funny things to people brains"
I'd like to add; and to their grammar too! Hahaha!
