Remember mobiles are a necessity, don’t make them a luxury. To use smart devices, you have to be over-smart.

With increasing electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), various health disorders are prevalent among people using smart wireless devices for a prolonged time. Owing to the ionization capability of a photon having greater than 10 electron-volt energy, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from wireless devices is classified as ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. Higher frequencies like X-rays and gamma rays are ionizing and thus pose their own biological and health hazards like sunburns (the same mechanism is used in a microwave oven for cooking). For instance, if a person approaches a high-power transmitting antenna, they may incur skin burns.
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and World Health Organization (WHO) distinguished the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on the higher risk of glioma (malignant brain cancer) associated with the use of wireless phones. From the reports of INTERPHONE, case studies revealed a link between the use of mobile phones and the development of gliomas and acoustic neuromas. Particularly in the masses, the tumors were located on the same side of the head where they used to place their phones. Usually, tumors were found on the temporal lobe of the brain, highly exposed to RF radiation when a cell phone is used at the ear. Reporters from the Chicago Tribune in the year 2019 tested the radiation level emitted from smartphones. After investigating and analyzing the various models from multiple manufacturers, it was reported that some models emit radiations with power levels higher than the exposure limit set by the US Federal Communications Commission. After a peer review completed in March 2018, by US National Toxicology Program, the results of its astounding study were published. A study employing rats and mice that were carried out for 10 years revealed that the male rats subjected to high doses of the radio frequency employed in 2G and 3G cellular networks developed malignant cardiac tumors.
In 1983, cell phones were rolled out in the market for the first time. These evolved from huge, sloppily gadgets to the sleek, multifunctional cellphones of today. Joel Moskowitz, a researcher in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley and director of Berkeley’s Centre for Family and Community Health has been endeavoring to demonstrate that the radio frequency radiated from cell phones is dangerous. He asserted that the majority of individuals don’t want to hear this fact. Although nearly all people now own a cell phone, extensive research indicates that using one for an extended period can be detrimental to health due to the radiation emitted from these devices. The cellphones operating on frequencies overlapping with microwave frequencies cause heating, eye damage, and hyperthermia if radiated from a high-intensity source. Infrared wavelengths of 750 nm cause the Glassblower’s cataract.
The effect of EMR from wireless devices on fertility and reproduction is a debatable topic. A scientific review on the use of 5G RF was conducted in the year 2021. It was concluded that this frequency range may adversely affect female fertility, and embryonic and fetal development, and may impair male fertility as well. Enough trials are to be conducted to reach conclusions for higher frequencies. These are the scenarios where the actual magnitude of risks is unknown and therefore to minimize the potential risks, prudent avoidance is a precautionary measure taken to manage the risk.
WHO has recommended this measure to minimize the usage of wireless devices by high-risk populations (e.g, Children) by adopting the following: 1. Lower the adoption of cellular phones and microcells with high levels of radiation 2. To avoid the use of Bluetooth headsets and devices working on Body Area Networks(BANs) 3. Adoption of minimal standards of exposure set by regulatory authorities 4. To maintain maximum distance from RF radiated from Base station antenna(Cellphone towers), and so on. Radiation advisory authorities recommend keeping the mobile away from the body and not using a telephone in the car without an external antenna. It is proved that in children the specific absorption rate (SAR) is about 135% higher as compared to adults. Also owing to the higher permittivity of the brain in children the radiations penetrate far beyond the mid-brain and can adversely affect hearing, cognitive, emotional, and neurological development. Information dissemination and awareness in this context remain a challenge since the proper knowledge about health consequences is not evoked in literature and by media.
Some bogus products have gained popularity through advertisements for shielding electromagnetic radiation. Such devices that block a small portion of the phone are ineffective since the entire cellular phone radiates the signals. These blocking devices may interfere with the signal of the phone and draw more power from the transmitter to keep communication with it. The Federal Trade Commission in the US has instituted false advertising lawsuits against businesses that market these devices.
This survey is primarily carried out on possible adverse health effects in the human body due to long-term and immediate RF exposure. The main focus of this study is to analyze the effect of mmWave frequencies (used in emerging 5G networks) on the human body and the precautions to be taken while adapting the next-generation networks. Exposure of the human body to mmWave or 5G frequency (30-300 GHz) can cause direct or indirect adverse health effects. These effects can be immediate or long-term for example, muscle or nerve twitching, an increase in temperature of tissues due to absorption of radio frequencies, and changing regular chemical reactions in a body. Sometimes one can also get a slight electric shock or a burn on touching any conductor. In long-term exposure to these EMWs, the risk of cancer is increased.
The research carried out by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) titled “ Critical evaluation of two radiofrequency electromagnetic field animal carcinogenicity studies” published in Health Phys., reported that the prolonged use of mobile phones increases the slight risk of brain tumors. In addition to this, exposure to EMWs at mmWave can cause carcinogenesis. The monographs of the IARC evaluated the carcinogenic effects of frequencies ranging from 30 kHz – 300 GHz. The cancer bioassays and epidemiological evidence proved the possible carcinogenic risk and a malignant brain tumor among people with the continual use of cellular phones. The research work published in J. Environ. Health Sc. Eng. evinced that exposure to EMWs from mobiles can play a potential cause in early spontaneous abortions and also adversely affect the male and female reproductive system.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that people with cardiac implants like pacemakers and other medical devices implanted should place the phone and other EMW radiating devices at least 6-8 inches away from the implants. These devices are affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI) where the RF signal is misinterpreted as a signal from the heart. This causes the implanted device to momentarily stop working, which could be hazardous. People are concerned about the impact of these issues created by wireless devices especially given that they have become a part of daily life. It is important to adopt some safety tips to reduce exposure to EMWs especially when we prefer to have smart homes where everything is connected, though every connection is invisible!
1. Place the mobile phone away from your body when on a call.
2. When on a call, use a wired headset or speakerphone mode
3. Do not carry mobile phones in pockets of pants or shirts, instead prefer to keep them in a bag away from the body.
4. Limit the amount of power used by cell phones by evading its use while traveling in a vehicle or in a rural place far from a cell tower. The mobile keeps switching from one tower to another and therefore radiation emission of a cellphone increases with distance from a tower.
5. Use your phone in regions with strong signals (shown by a number of bars on the reception indicator)
6. Hold the phone away from your ear when on the phone until the person on the other end of the line answers. Before a call connects, the device emits greater radiation.
7. Children shouldn’t be allowed to keep their cell phones by their bedsides or sleep with them under their pillows since their bodies are more susceptible to radiation absorption.
8. You don’t need it, turn it off!
Therefore, the implementation of standard policies and adapting the standard exposure levels are indispensable for high-risk groups. Additionally, the relevant government agencies and researchers must launch public awareness campaigns. This also demands in-depth research on mobile phone technology and its effects on mobile users’ safety.
This article is a part of a research work that aims to review aborning literature about the negative impact of excessive use of wireless devices by the masses. Its goal is to boost public awareness and is funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST, Government of India under File No. PDF/2021/002533. This work is being conducted at the host institute, the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu.
Remember mobiles are a necessity, don’t make them a luxury. To use smart devices, you have to be over-smart.
The author is a National Postdoctoral Research Fellow at IIT Jammu, Department of Electrical Engineering.

Dr. Yusra Banday