Mobile phone, its risks, how to use it

Written by Sandeep Nehra

The WHO has described mobile phones as “possibly carcinogenic”, raising many questions: how many waves makes my laptop? Why use a headset? What about wireless phone, wifi, blue tooth and the antennas ?

- How do we know the power of the laptop we just bought?

The phone records should specify the SAR or specific absorption rate, which measures the level of radiation that the laptop when running at full power. It is measured in W / kg, with a limit set at 2W/kg France.

- What are the benefits of handsfree and speaker?

The handsfree speakerphone and can remove the device wave transmitter in the ear, and thus the brain. “When the phone is pressed to the ear, the brain levels of exposure are important, but they fall in a very important therefore that the distances of a few tens of centimeters,” said Dominique Gombert, director of the Risk Assessment at the Agency for Health Safety Environment (handles).

- The unit is in standby it harmful?

“When the machine is idle, it remains in contact (with the issuer) for the network, but the exposure levels are extremely low,” said Dr. Gombert.

- Is it safe to use the device in the car or the train?

A study published in October 2008 shows an effect of waves emitted greatly increased when we phone in the car: the effect of “Faraday cage” makes the car tight electric or electromagnetic fields, leading to a sharp rise in power of waves which to cross the interior. In underserved areas and on motorways, where they embark on a change of power at each relay, the fields reach “record levels”, according to the survey.

The situation is similar in closed environments or other means of transport, in addition, as Mr. Gombert, “the juxtaposition of the fields associated with the simultaneous use of a large number of phones or sources of electromagnetic fields.

- And the masts, which are of concern?

WHO estimates that exposure to “environmental”, including those associated with the transmission of signals, the evidence is so far “inadequate”.

In 2009, the study of Afsset (now handles) had hoped that envisages a “lower exposure levels” where they exceed the “average ambient. The mapping work is underway.

- And the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G?

Exposure levels are low, a maximum power of 0.1 W for the wifi and bluetooth, 0.25 W for 3G. But the exposure is continuous throughout the day.

- WHO am not talking about wireless phones?

Dominique Gombert regret. “The wireless phone will be transmitting and the base also is not exactly the same kind of fields, but do not reduce electromagnetic fields to mobile phones.” “Other issuers may have a significant intensity” and the more we can distance while exposing to electromagnetic fields – radio alarm clock, basic phone, wireless baby monitors …- better.

- And the risks to children?

A study is underway in 13 countries, “Mobi-kids”. Mr. Gombert said that “compared to the mass of tissue exposed, there are children a greater vulnerability, potentially more significant penetration of electromagnetic fields”.

The main Taiwanese manufacturer HTC smartphones on Thursday called for “inconclusive” study of the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the use of mobile phones may be carcinogenic.

“The results of the WHO research is inconclusive and we continue to actively monitor new research in this area,” the group said in a statement.

“HTC is committed to providing quality product and we follow government guidelines and regulations on the phone safety,” he added.

The president of the National Cancer Institute (INCA), Agnes Buzyn, on Thursday called for “vigilance and keep a good sense of the people” after the classification by WHO of mobile phones as “possibly carcinogenic”.

“It’s an important fact that comes from an analysis of numerous studies,” he said on RTL Pr Buzyn, newly appointed head of the INCA.

WHO “class risk as possible, so it’s not likely,” she said, calling for “vigilance and keep a good sense of the people, ie be careful in each individual use of the laptop.

“The rules are moderate use of the laptop, use the speakerphone, avoid laptop for children,” said Ms. Buzyn.

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