Radio frequency radiation exposure, health hazards and risk assessment strategies

Societal benefits of cellular phones and wireless technology do exist, including ease and prompt access and delivery of information. The continuous radiation from most DECT cordless phone base stations and Wi-Fi routers have similar effects to exposure to cell phone. In our daily life all over we are exposed to EM radiation of different frequencies having varying power. The cellular phones and telecom networks use frequencies range from 900 MHz to 2.1 GHz. Our bodies can pick up electromagnetic radiation like the antenna of a radio set. Although electromagnetic radiation exposure is clinically reported non-ionizing radiations the potential for longer-term health hazards cannot be ruled out. The thermal effect occurs at the surface of the head and ear, causing its temperature to increase by 10C if conversation last for 20 minute. The most common observed biological complaints reported are sleep disruption, headache, lack of concentration, forgetful memory, depression, fatigue, dizziness, palpitation of heart, visual disorders, and cardiovascular problem, buzzing in the head, and altered reflexes. The behavioral difficulties in addition to bio-electromagnetic sufferings have been observed at larger scale in children. According to Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is recommended to safely use cell phone for 18–24 minutes a day. The people living within 50–300 meter radius are in the high radiation zone and are more prone to ill-effect of EM radiation. Many studies have shown that the radiation from GSM phones breaks DNA molecules in cultured cells within 24 hours. Much of the present rise in allergies and related conditions are attributed to electromagnetic exposure releasing calcium from cell membranes. Considering EM wave's hyper sensitivity some people can “feel” the radiation because it affects their nervous systems. Many of us are electro-sensitive but do not realize it; we have the symptoms, but because we are permanently exposed to the radiation, we regard us as “normal”. Being engineers and scientists our duty is to recommend strategies against risks to avoid health hazards. To abide safety standards there is a need to create awareness among the users, service providers and develop/publicize health based precautionary guidelines to control the damage and realize concept of health is wealth.