11-06-2011

RADIATION risk at bay, in six steps

Publication: The Times Of India Kolkata;Date: Jun 11, 2011;Section: Times Nation;Page: 13

RADIATION risk at bay, in six steps Call me on my mobile phoneor better not? This was the telling headline of Interphone, a study by the World Health Organisation to examine the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health. The title effectively captured the fear we share about mobile phones and their unhealthy link to cancer. On Tuesday, the WHO went a step ahead: it classified electromagnetic radiation as an agent that could possibly cause brain cancer. But scientists insist a mobile phones impact on health is not yet in black or white and various studies are underway across the world, including India, to establish it conclusively. Till such time as definitive answers are available, TOI strings together information from various sources on basic questions that have begun worrying mobile users
1 Ideal Call Duration An inter-ministerial committee report tabled in February 2011 said due to the proximity of a mobile phone to the head, it is the targeted recipient of the electro-magnetic energy (EMR). The brain cancer link has emerged as a bigt fear in the new generations mobile obsession. The WHO study put the danger level at a 30-minute talk daily for over 10 years. But doctors say there is no clear picture yet: EMR effect depends on factors like frequency, type of phone, duration. Neurologist Girish Nair said, The idea is to keep phone calls brief. Or as endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi said, Try SMS/email 2 Hands-Free Help The advice to use hands-free devices is almost as old as mobile phone technology itself. The speaker mode is believed to somewhat reduce the intensity of exposure. A study in the Journal of Association of Physicians of India provides a comprehensive answer: If extended conversations by wireless phone must be conducted on a day-to-day basis, then placing more distance between the body and the source of the radio frequency could help, since exposure level drops dramatically with distance. The study, anchored by Dr Shashank Joshi, said one could use a wireless phone connected to a remote antenna located outside the vehicle. One could also use a headset linked with remote antenna to a mobile carried in a pouch at the waist 3 Best Place For Mobile Phones For those who wondered if a mobile can transmit electromagnetic energy even when not in a call, the answer is yes. The on button literally switches on EMR. So patients with pacemakers cant keep switched-on phones in their shirts. Studies also link EMR to the drop in fertility. Many carry the mobile in hand little realising hands too absorb radiation. Studies across the world show that distance of a foot with the phone is good. Dr Girish Nair said, There is no need to keep the phone next to ones pillow at night. It would be a good idea to get a break for six to seven hours from the radiation source. The best would be to keep it a few feet away. One could keep it on a special phone rack or table and activate the speaker, said a doctor 4 Judge Phone By SAR Most technology reviews of phones concentrate on their artificial intelligence, display and applications. But after the WHO warning, it would do well to include Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), the radio frequency energy absorbed by the body, as a talking point. Most websites on Thursday put up radiation reviews by CNET (an independent US agency) of 10 best and worst handsets. In October 2008, DoT notified manufacturers that handsets should carry radiation levels on the mobile (it prescribed a SAR limit of 2W/kg localised for head and trunk in the frequency range of

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11-06-2011 RADIATION risk at bay, in six steps 10MHz to 10GHz). Dr Joshi said mobile phone providers should give information about SAR values on phone batteries 5 Network Snare Dr Joshi, in his JAPI study, said in areas with poor connectivity the mobile emits more radiation to connect to another phone. Many experts have underlined that poor connectivity in rural India (due to poor network of signal stations) means its better not to make long calls when away from city limits. A similar problem is associated with roaming facility when the phone keeps changing network providers to get better range. But the phone ends up emitting more radiation, said Dr Nair. However, the JAPI study said digital phones of today are better. The new phones dont emit as much radiation as the older ones did. So its not bad as it looks 6 How Vulnerable Are Children The WHO report said one reason for equating EMR with possible carcinogenic agents was extensive use of mobile phones, especially by youth and children. Doctors say children under 16 are more vulnerable. A functional MRI study (see images) says it all: radiation permeates to almost the entire brain of a five-year-old. Dr Nair, attached to Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, Its wrong to give a child a phone to play with. Mobiles, gaming consoles and TV are sources of radiation that should be kept as far away from children as possible

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RADIATION risk at bay, in six steps

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