Why Your Cell Phones Are Dangerous
by Dr. Joseph Mercola
The danger from most land-based portable phones, cell phones and WiFi routers is not from the magnetic radiation or the microwave carrier wave from which typical SAR ratings are given on phones. Unless you have massive exposures like you might expect in a microwave oven, these thermal effects are insignificant.
Nearly all the biological damage comes from the modulated signals that are carried ON the carrier microwave. These modulated information carrying radio waves resonate in biological frequencies of a few to a few hundred cycles per second, and can stimulate your cellular receptors causing a whole cascade of pathological consequences that can culminate in fatigue, anxiety and ultimately cancers.
This is a MAJOR problem because in the last few years we have had an exponential increase in exposure to these waves. It took from 1984 to 2004 to reach the first billion cell phones, the second billion took just 18 months, the third billion took only nine months and the fourth billion just six months.
And this does not at all factor in your major exposure to WiFi routers (wireless internet), which are now pervasive. Since there is a lag time of five to 20 years before many of these effects become clinically apparent, now is the time to act before you or your family suffer the damage.Clearly, the wireless industry has no interest in shedding so much as a glimmer of light on the subject.
Are You Already Suffering the Effects and Don’t Even Realize it?
Numerous studies claim there is no biological impact of RF radiation within the cell phone range. Still, researchers in different countries, in different laboratories, are finding disturbing results that point to far greater health implications than anyone is ready for.
Unfortunately, most people fail to correlate common symptoms and health problems to their exposure to cell phones and other radio frequencies, perhaps because these conditions can so easily be attributed to other causes (including so-called “unknown” causes) as well.
Take a look at these common illnesses and ailments, which have all been scientifically linked to cell phone information carrying radio waves:
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Alzheimer's Disease
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Parkinsons
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Fatigue
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Headaches
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Sleep disruptions
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Altered memory function, poor concentration and spatial awareness
Be Careful -- Most Headsets Actually Increases Your Health Risk
For some time, the standard recommendation to reduce your radiation exposure was to use a headset. It was thought that since radiation decreases exponentially over the distance between you and the phone, this would solve the problem.
But, newer investigations, and the emergence of wireless earpieces (like Bluetooth) turns this idea upside-down. These headsets may actually intensify your exposure to harmful radiation because the headset itself acts as an antenna, which is now inserted directly into the ear canal. And “wired” headsets are usually little better, since the wire itself can act like an antenna and transmit dangerous radiation to your head. In fact, testing has indicated that your cell phone headset may actually raise the amount of radiation emitted by more than 300 percent!
It's vital that you know the pros and cons of cell phone headsets—especially now that laws requiring "hands-free" cell phone headsets while driving are going in effect all over the U.S.
The British Independent Group on Mobile Phones suggested that headsets are an ideal solution only if they were used with filters to stop the headset wire from acting as an effective antenna. One solution is an air tube headset. These conduct sound, but prevent any radiation from traveling up the wire to your brain.
More Safety Tips to Limit Your Exposure
To date, there are few alternatives to ensure complete safety, but there are some common sense recommendations:
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Limit the amount of time you spend on the phone.
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Limit your exposure to WiFi routers. Find out where they are located in your work environment and stay away from them.
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If you have any land based (non-cellular) portable phones, do NOT use anything other than the 900 MHz phones as the Gigahertz phones stay on continuously, blasting you with information carrying radio waves 24/7.
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Use the speakerphone instead of putting the phone to your ear; this is probably one of the single most important steps you can take other than not using your cell phone.
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Use a wired headset to limit your exposure to the cell phone—ideally, an air tube headset which conducts sound but prevents any radiation from traveling up the wire to your brain. Also make sure the wire is SHIELDED which prevents the wire from acting as an antenna which could attract more information carrying radio waves directly to your brain.
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Limit calls inside buildings.
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Use the phone in open spaces as often as possible.
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Limit use by children and preadolescents.