Chandigarh, July 15: WHILE cellphones have become an essential part of modern-day lives, the health risks associated with their use have often been debated. Addressing a meeting today, experts warned that mobile phones could increase the risk of diseases like brain cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, acoustic neuroma, hypertension, vision and memory loss.

The warning note was issued by Dr S S Pattnaik, head and professor, ETV Centre, Electronics and Communication Engineering, National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh. Addressing members of the Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India, he said global research has shown continuous exposure to cellphone radiations can lead to many harmful effects.

 
One such study includes a three-year $27 million research programme spearheaded by George Carlo, a public health researcher. In his report, Carlo said radio frequency radiation from phone antenna ‘‘appears to cause genetic damage in human blood.’’ Pattnaik said his own research studies had shown that children were move vulnerable to the deposition of RF signals from mobile phones. The deposition varies with head size, age, duration of exposure, distance of antenna from the body parts and even the user’s posture.

Pattnaik warned that one should keep in mind the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) while buying a phone. He pointed out that SAR limit for the head, as per the US Federal Communications Commission, is 1.6 watt per kg of body tissue and as per European standard it is 2 watt/kg. ‘‘So buy a mobile phone with as low SAR rating as possible.’’

Do’s and don’ts
Some precautionary measures:
* Buy phones with low SAR value.
* Use landline phones whenever possible.
* Frequent users should use earphones.
* Use phones which have more distance between antenna and body.
* Keep phones away from body as far as possible.
* Do not keep phones in shirt pockets as it may interfere with functioning of the heart.

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