Mobile Phones And Radiation

Introduction
Mobile or cellular phones are now an integral part of modern
telecommunications. In many countries, over half the population
use mobile phones and the market is growing rapidly. In 2014,
there is an estimated 6.9 billion subscriptions globally. In some
parts of the world, mobile phones are the most reliable or the only
phones available.

Two questions are:

Could mobile phones be giving us brain cancer?
Has the mobile phone industry spent years trying to bury the
scientific evidence that it does in order to protect its huge
globally business?
Unfortunately the answer is yes to both questions.
WHO (World Health Organization) has linked mobiles with cancer,
and follows earlier research linking just half an hours use a day
with up to 40 per cent higher odds of brain cancer.
WHO will conduct a formal risk assessment of all studied health
outcomes from radiofrequency field exposure by 2016 .
However the mobile phone industry was quick to point out that
the devices had not been directly shown to cause cancer. More
than 70million mobile phones are now in use in Britain more
than one for every man, woman and child. Worldwide, the total
tops five billion.

Background
Mobile phones communicate by transmitting radio waves through
a network of fixed antennas called base stations. Radiofrequency

waves are electromagnetic fields, and unlike ionizing radiation

such as X-rays or gamma rays, can neither break chemical bonds
nor cause ionization in the human body.
This radiation is at too low a frequency to heat human tissue, but
theres a large amount of evidence that it could affect the
protective barrier between the brain and blood, allowing toxins to
enter. There is also evidence that mobiles could be damaging our
immune systems, and causing tumors, Alzheimers, strokes and
autism.
Given the large number of mobile phone users, it is important to
investigate, understand and monitor any potential public health
impact.
The case study highlights the rule of C&W ( Cable and Wireless )
company in UK as the first mobile company to recognize this
issues potential for public concern and impact for reputation and
commercial health of the mobile phone industry .followed by
many other companies all over the world because Mobile
telecommunication is an international business.

Identifying Risks
The cell phone industry is fully aware of the dangers. In fact,
enough scientific evidence exists that some companies service
contracts prohibit suing the cell phone manufacturer or service
provider, or joining a class action lawsuit. Still, the public is largely
ignorant of the dangers, while the media regularly trumpets new
studies showing cell phones are completely safe to use. Yet none
of those studies can prove safety, no matter how well theyre
conducted or whos conducting them.

Two main Risks are facing the mobile

companies

 Reputation Risk
Some brands of mobile phone have more radiation that others
like: some models in Huawei, Nokia, and Motorola.
So the reputation of these companies will be affected greatly if
they dont conduct further studies in how to reduce the radiation
levels of their phones.

Health Risk
World Health Organization Classifies Cell Phone Radiation as
Class B Carcinogen.

Risk Assessment:
For the Reputation Risk:
Probability
Medium/High

Score
4

likelihood
Major impact in the
company reputation

and could lead to

law suits
For the Health Risk:
Probability
High

Score
5

likelihood
Critical impact on
health on the short
and long run and
leads to different
types of cancer.

Are there any other alternatives?

Cell phone subscriptions are now estimated at 5.9 billion globally
that's 87 percent of the world population! I think it's safe to say,
we've already passed the point of no return when it comes to this
technology. Despite all of the potential health concerns affecting
mobile users, the purchasing pattern of phones is not affected.
It seems that the bond between every individual and his/her
mobile becomes stronger and stronger, that nothing for the time
being could replace the use of mobiles.

Solutions (Risk Treatment)

The risks couldnt be eliminated or avoided, people will use
mobiles anyway but the risk could be eliminated/mitigate by:
The customers must be informed clearly about the potential
risks of using the mobile phones.
Apply Governance for the good use of the mobile phones.
Children Should Always Avoid Using Cell Phones or a
wireless device of any type.
Reduce the Cell Phone Use as possible.
Use a Land Line at Home and at Work.

Reduce or Eliminate the Use of Other Wireless Devices.

Use the Cell Phone Only Where Reception is good.
Avoid Carrying the Phone on Your Body.
Keep the Cell Phone Away From Your Body When it is On
Use Safer Headset Technology
Use more texting than calling.
The companies should pay more attention and assign budget
for R&D to find alternatives for EMF.
Public information materials have to develop and promoting
dialogue among scientists, governments, industry and the
public to raise the level of understanding about potential
adverse health risks of mobile phones.

Conclusion
Most scientists say it is still too early to tell whether mobile
phones are safe in the long-term, and the Government's Mobile
Telecommunications and Health Research Program is still calling
for further research.
But the risk excites and more steady steps must be taken to
eliminate that risk.

By: Gehan Shaban

References
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1392810/Mobilephones-CAN-increase-cancer-risk-Shock-finding-majorstudy.html
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/
http://www.safespaceprotection.com/electrostress-fromcellphones.aspx
http://www.cnet.com/pictures/highest-cell-phoneradiation/21/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/06/16/
emf-safety-tips.aspx
http://www.lef.org/magazine/2007/8/report_cellphone_radiati
on/Page-01
https://awc.ashford.edu/tocw-guidelines-for-writing-a-casestudy.html