Mobile phones are everywhere. They are an indispensable gear to our complex lifestyle, yet, behind their sleek finish might be something that could cause irreversible damage to our health.
Though the effects of cell phones are unclear on human health, it is widely accepted that mobile phones do not emit radiation when turned off. However, as used, cell phones produce low amounts of non-ionizing radiation. Radiofrequency (RF) energy is the term for the kind of radiation released by mobile phones.
In this article, we are going to investigate the use and effects of cell phone radiations on your health. So if you want to know more about cell phone radiations, read on!
Use Of Electromagnetic Waves In Mobile Telephony
Mobile phones interact by sending radio waves via a base station network of fixed antennas. Unlike ionizing radiation such as X-rays or gamma rays, radiofrequency waves are electric fields that cannot crack chemical bonds or induce ionization in the human body.
Using radio waves to transmit telephone conversations has many advantages. For one, electromagnetic waves travel at the phenomenal speed of 300 000 km in each second and would transfer information almost instantly from one end to another.
Then, choosing the right frequency would reduce the length of the antenna. Modern mobile telephony uses microwaves to transmit data and these have typical wavelengths of some centimetres.
The length of the antenna being in direct proportion to the wavelength of wave used, modern mobile phones have very small antennas and have grown incredibly discrete.
The iPhone When Switched On
The iPhone sends a signal in the microwave spectrum of the electromagnetic spectrum which is received by a relay station of the mobile network provider.
The signal is received by many other relay stations.
A supercomputer of the service provider notes the strength of the signal received by each relay station and allocates a communication channel only to the relay which received the stronger signal from the iPhone.
This always allows communication between the iPhone and the relay station, so long as the phone is on. During a phone call, the iPhone sends signals to the relay station via the microwave link.
Typical electromagnetic radiation emits radiation, which is a form of energy associated with the wave. As such radio waves do not cause much harm whereas UV ray, X-rays and gamma rays are dangerous and are caused by ionising.
Microwaves are not ionising. They can be split into two groups: low wavelength and high wavelength. High-wavelength microwaves are used in microwave ovens to heat up food.
Food is made of water and water absorb microwaves and release heat. On the other hand, short-wavelength microwaves are not absorbed by water and do not heat up food.
Satellite communication, which involves communication from a station on Earth to a satellite above the atmosphere, relies heavily on short-wavelength microwaves. Mobile telephony also makes use of short-wavelength microwaves.
Due to the various concerns about microwaves and general radiation emitted by a mobile phone, an index has been formulated called the Specific Absorption Rate, SAR in short.
The SAR is a measure of the energy absorbed for each kilo of body mass by a human body in one second when exposed to an electromagnetic wave. iPhones generally have higher SAR values than other phones, implying they give a greater radiation exposure than competitors.
The iPhone When Switched Off
When switched off, no mobile phones emit or receive signals to and from their relay stations. They hence do not emit any microwave.
Nevertheless, if the iPhone was used intensively prior to switching off, it will still be warm, and this would cause infra-red radiation to be emitted.
Infra-red is non-ionising and is synonymous with the heat generated by a barbecue. Besides, other forms of radiations like gamma rays can be distributed from the battery of the phone even when turned off.
Exposure Levels
Mobile phones are low-powered radiofrequency transmitters that operate at frequencies ranging from 450 to 2700 MHz and have peak powers of 0.1 to 2 watts.
When the phone is switched on, it just transmits electricity. With the distance from the phone, the power (and hence the radiofrequency sensitivity to a user) drops rapidly.
An individual who holds their phone 30–40 cm away from their body – for example, when instant messaging, surfing the Internet or using a “hands-free” gadget – would be exposed to far fewer radiofrequency fields than anyone who holds it against their head.
Exposure is limited by limiting the amount and duration of calls, in addition to using “hands-free” systems that hold cell phones away from the head and body during phone calls.
Using the handset in places where there is decent coverage reduces radiation by allowing the phone to transmit at a lower power level. It has not been shown that using commercial equipment to reduce radiofrequency field exposure is successful.
Since radiofrequency signals can compete with some electro-medical equipment and navigation systems, mobile phones are often banned in hospitals and on aeroplanes.
Precautions Which Need To Be Taken With iPhones
Given that iPhones have a rather high SAR value, it is always a good precaution to limit their use in conversations, keeping any conversation as short as possible.
Also, it is a good measure to invest in electromagnetic blockers. Such blockers can be purchased from companies with advanced technologies such as DefenderShield.
These companies have created products with powerful technologies that can block up to 99% of EMF radiation emitted from your phone.
DefenderShield has an EMF blocker phone case that protects you from 99% EMF radiation, even for recent 5G networks.
Their headset is also a good choice if you use the call function regularly.
The further away a phone is from the head, the less power arrives at your brain which is one of the most sensitive and crucial organs.
Therefore, when manipulating an iPhone, caution is always important.
A switched off iPhone certainly does not represent a danger but when switched on, the iPhone does emit radiation.
Having an electromagnetic radiation blocker is beneficial to cut down the microwaves emitted by the iPhone, which has a rather high SAR value.
