Introduction
Reading more and more contestable information about the affect of cell phones, I decided to conduct personal research in order to understand whether they are harmful for human health or not. I searched for necessary information online, I considered forums and read research papers and reports devoted to the problem of cell phones and healthcare. Having studied much information I can say with the whole responsibility that cell phones are harmful for human health. Many people underestimate this issue, however, it is very important to remember that such thing as a cell phone may harm human health. It would not be a problem if people have not used cell phones constantly. There is a tendency that each year younger and younger users of cell phones are noticed. When these devices emerged, only adults with particular level of income could have them. Now, more and more people with average and even low level of income buy cell phones. This device has become an inherent part of human life, therefore, many scientists began to express their concern. The use of cell phones increases the chances to have acoustic neuroma, to develop brain cancer ipsilateral and to get deep trauma and injuries which may lead to death.
Cell Phones Are Safe
There are many ideas which state that cell phones are safe. Looking at the controversial factors, it is almost impossible to support this opinion. Nevertheless, people continue expressing their thoughts and present relevant arguments to support this belief. I managed to find the following information to confirm the fact that cell phones are safe. Those who say that cell phones are dangerous refer to the information they have ever heard without any facts. Gossips which have occupied the Internet and human mind lack grounds. According to research conducted in Canada there “is no convincing evidence of increased risk of disease from exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from cell phones” (Schmidt A.7).
The same point of view is supported by “the World Health Organization, the International Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks” as Schmidt announces (A.7). The opinion of negative effect of cell phones has been developed by those who always find something negative in innovations. There are many conservative people who got used to particular way of life and who cannot stand changes. They usually consider all the changes as harmful. I disagree with such arguments. Innovations and changed in our life are for good and those who used to live in the past should change their opinion.
A research conducted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the American Health Foundation found “no correlation between cell-phone gabbers and brain-tumor incidence” (DeMarco 3). The research compared and contrasted the duration of phone conversations of cancer patients and healthy people. There is no difference, thus the relation between cancer and the use of cell phones cannot be confirmed. Research conducted by Velegrakis, et al. also refuses any relation between cell phones use and cancer development. The use of electronystagmograph before and after utilization to continuous and alternative electromagnetic fields results in “no abnormal nystagmous associated with EMR, suggesting that there are no harmful effects on the semicircular canals” (Velegrakis, et al. 1017).
Many people try to refer the use of the cell phones for a long period of time with the development of different diseases. However, a literature review and search for experiments and research where long-term period of using cell phones has been considered gave no necessary results. Such research projects exist, but they are not that numerous to generalize the results presented in that research. People have checked one or two research reports where a positive effect on human health has been stated, however, people do not check the limitations of the research, the number of people who participated and other factors. As a result, people use the information which can be trusted, however, which cannot be considered as objective. In many research projects where long-term period is used, the sample is too little. Therefore, the results are not that reputable as one may wish.
Thus, having considered the arguments presented in favor of safe use of cell phones, it is impossible to trust them in whole extend. I have been using a cell phone for several years and I do not feel any worsening of my health, but scientists assure that I have to use it longer to have visible worsening of my health. There were several research projects where cell phones use was not considered as harmful, but much more evidence refer to the contrary. Cell phones are negative and the smallest part of positive research results cannot cover that data.
Cell Phones Are Dangerous
Cell phones are dangerous and having considered all the necessary arguments, no one can reject this point of view. Of course, not much research has been conducted in relation to long term period of cell phones use, but this particular sphere has attracted much attention. According to meta-analysis conducted by Hardell, Carlberg, Soderqvist, and Mild, the research results they present give “a consistent pattern of an association between mobile phone use and ipsilateral glioma and acoustic neuroma using ≥10-years latency period” (Hardell, Carlberg, Soderqvist, and Mild 1097). Therefore, this is one of the pioneer research projects in the long term period, but the results are exciting. It is possible to predict that in several years, after the research projects are going to be concluded, the supporting results in this aspect are going to increase.
Another study has taken place in Sweden. Even though many arguments prove that cell phones are dangerous in short-term period, this study points at the absence of visible harm from cell phone within a short period of time. This research stresses more use of cell phones in a long period of time which results in “acoustic neuroma [an] an increase in the risk of developing brain cancer ipsilateral to side of phone use for those who had used cell phones for at least 10 years” (Kohli, Sachdev, and Vats 10). These two research experiments took place independently at different periods of time. Therefore, the first argument in favor of negative affect from the cells phones is the development of brain cancer ipsilateral and acoustic neuroma.
The research projects directed at the negative effect from the use of cell phones are numerous as well. However, I would like to refer to the everyday examples. Have you ever tried to talk over the cell phone for more than an hour? Have you felt any problems, such as headaches, weakness, and similar symptoms? I am sure that those people who have to speak over the cell phones the greater part of their day feel worse than those who have an opportunity to speak to others without this innovative device. Many people feel discomfort on unconscious level. Having spent the first part of the day speaking over the telephone, many people try to avoid phone conversations at the end of the day. This is a natural need, as human organism may restrict from the inner influence which does not create comfort.
One more problem people face while using the cell phones is “the risk associated with having a fatal accident while driving and using a cell phone [which] is on the order of 6.4 in a million per year” (Curry 30). There are two categories of people who may be hurt, drivers and pedestrians. Starting the discussion with the drivers, it is obvious that using a cell phone distracts a driver from the road. He/she can fail to notice a pedestrian, another car, or any other barrier on the road. While driving, a person should be very attentive as “it is a proven fact that people have been hurt, even killed, by drivers using cell phones.” (Debate: No phone zone 5).
According to statistical data, specific sources which distract drivers are as follows, “outside person, object or event, 29.4 percent; adjusting the radio, 11.4 percent; other occupants, 10.9 percent; moving objects in the vehicle, 4.3 percent; climate controls, 2.8 percent; eating/drinking, 1.7 percent; cell phones, 1.5 percent; smoking, 0.9 percent; and other or unknown distractions, 34.2 percent” (Curry 31). Therefore, even though the percentage rate of cell phones is not that high, it is still present in this statistics which proves the harmful effect of cell phones. Speaking about pedestrians, when people cross the street and type messages, they may also fail to notice a car. It is obvious that while driving a car of crossing the streets all the members of traffic expect that others follow the rules. Thus, red light is a signal for stop while a green one allows continuing movement. Having a green light on the way, a driver does not expect a person to cross the street.
Conclusion
Therefore, having considered many sources of information and particular facts, I can say that cell phones are harmful to people. On the one hand, my health is affected and even if I am unable to see the changes it does not mean they do not occur. On the other hand, I can be injured because of the distraction cell phones may cause. Using cell phones for a short period of time may be a reason of headaches, weakening and other supportive problems even though I have never related these problems to the issue. Scientists say that if I use cell phones for a longer period of time, I will face the more complicated and more dangerous problems. I am not sure whether it is necessary to believe them, but research results are convicting. Here comes the discussion about cancer and other similar diseases. Moreover, cell phones cause indirect harm to people when their use prevents them from normal behavior. Driving or crossing the streets using the cell phone may harm human health. Therefore, I can say that in general using cell phones may provide negative effect on my health and I try to use it less.
Works Cited
Curry, David G. “In-vehicle cell phones: Fatal distraction?” Professional Safety 47.3 (2002): 28-33. Print.
“Debate: No phone zone.” Scholastic Scope 50.2 (2001): 5. Print.
Demarco, Peter. “Top brains say cell phones safe: Daily news express with express wire services.” New York Daily News. 2000: 3. Print.
Hardell, Lennart, Carlberg, Michael, Soderqvist, Fredrik and Kjell Hansson Mild. “Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours.” International Journal of Oncology 32.5 (2008): 1097–1103. Print.
Kohli, Darpan, Sachdev, Mehak and Abhishek Vats. “Cell phones and tumor: Still in no man’s land.” Indian Journal of Cancer 46.1 (2009): 5-12. Print.
Schmidt, Sarah. “Health Canada maintains that cell phones are safe for kids.” Alberni Valley Times. 2009: A.7. Print.
Velegrakis, G A et al. “Studying the Effects of Mobile Phone Use on the Auditory System and the Central Nervous System: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions.” European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology: Official Journal of The European Federation Of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS): Affiliated With The German Society For Oto-Rhino-Laryngology – Head And Neck Surgery 265.9 (2008): 1011-1019. Print.