Everyday someone uses electronics, whether it’s a cell phone, microwave, a T.V., or an iPod. However, very few people are aware of the damages these items are doing to their health. For years now many rumors have been circulating about the dangers of specific electronics, the biggest rumor being that cell phones cause brain cancer.
In a study done by scientists at Imperial College London, evidence was found that electrical fields from televisions, computers, and other everyday electronics can cause illnesses like asthma, influenza, and other respiratory diseases.
“ Tanning can be fatal if the eyes are unprotected. It can cause change in the skin and cause skin cancer,” said Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Giri Dharan.
According to the scientists the electrical fields given off by a great variety of household items, which include televisions, lamps, computers, cookers, and wiring charge tiny particles in the air such as viruses, allergens, bacteria, and extremely toxic pollutants.
Since these particles are so small, they are always in the air, being breathed in constantly. The charge that the particles pick up from nearby electronics makes them stick to the lung tissue and the respiratory tract, causing different infections in the body.
“I believe electronics are a necessary part of life because everyday we rely on electronics to get through our day. Also electronics have performed miracles in the medical field to help those sick become better. Our society has become so dependent on electronics that we need it for everyday life. Without it society will crumble and reduce our civilizations to that of prehistoric life, for example back to the era with cavemen,” said junior Derrick Tam.
Today society has become extremely dependent on electronics, suggesting that society cannot survive without them.
“I think they [electronics] are completely necessary because they come in handy for emergency situations. iPod’s distract people from unpleasant situations, pretending to text helps in awkward situations and cameras record memories. I don’t believe microwaves are necessary because they’re cancerous. Anything you can microwave, you can put in a toaster oven and it’ll taste one hundred times better. The world would stop revolving if Computers were eliminated,” said junior Alessandra Asperti.
Over the past few years, a big concern among people is whether cell phones can cause brain cancer. Many scientists, including Naohito Yamaguchi, have done studies on this theory but more research needs to be done to know for sure. These studies all come to the same conclusion, that there is no evidence that links cell phones to cancer or other health problems.
According to Environment, Health, and Safety Online (EHSO), Naohito led a study in February of 2008 with the Tokyo Women’s Medical University. This study compared the affects of phone use in 322 people diagnosed with brain cancer and 683 healthy people. They came to the conclusion that using a cell phone did not dramatically affect people’s chances of getting brain cancer.
“There’s no practical evidence that electronics are dangerous to people’s health,” said Dr. Giri .
The cell phone controversy will go on for years until scientists have rock solid evidence that there is no link between cell phones and brain cancer. However there are some suggested precautions to take.
Using a headset or speakerphone mode will move the phone and its antenna away from the head. Also the effects of cellular damage are greatest on developing organisms (children), so phones should be kept away from them.
Lastly if in a car, use an external antenna, which will move the source of radiation farther away. These are just several helpful precautions suggested by EHSO.
