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Business News/ Mint-lounge / Features/  The dangers of daily dialling
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The dangers of daily dialling

The dangers of daily dialling

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When I think of the dangers of cellphones, I picture my wife—a real estate agent—rooting around in her giant purse, trying to find her ringing phone as she drives along.

There’s no doubt about the danger of that. But there is a murkier danger. To this day, scientists are still divided on whether radiation from cellphones can increase the risk of cancer. Radiation is a loaded word that conjures up unreasonable fear. So let’s be clear what we're talking about.

Your cellphone is a tiny transceiver—a combination transmitter and receiver. Power is radiated when you use it. But it’s not the same kind of radiation produced by nuclear reactions and X-rays. That’s the far more dangerous type called ionizing radiation.

Cellphones produce less harmful non-ionizing radiation. However, as exposure time and power level increase, non-ionizing radiation is a hazard too. The real argument is over how much non-ionizing radiation is too much. But if a world of physicians and scientists can’t agree, it would be vainglorious for me to serve as the tiebreaker.

Though I can’t tell you who is right, I can give you ways to reduce the amount of radiation you get from cellphones. It seems like common sense to be aware of the possible danger and then protect yourself as best you can. Even if some final study says there is no danger, there’s no risk in following my tips.

So let’s start with the fact that not all cellphones are created equal. Some produce more radiation than others. I recommend that you use one of the low-radiation phones. Several organizations, including the US-based CNET and Environmental Working Group (EWG), have produced charts that show the amount of radiation produced by popular phones.

Look at a chart showing radiation levels for phones on the market in 2010 by EWG.

Next, consider spending less time using your cellphone. When you know the conversation will be a long one, use a wired phone.

That said, I realize cellphones are now part of life. Some people don’t even have a regular wired phone. That means exposure to cellphone radiation is a bigger deal than when cellphones weren’t as common. So let’s talk about ways regular cellphone users can reduce the risk a bit.

The closer your cellphone is to your body, the more radiation you get. Even holding a phone 2 inches from your ear dramatically reduces the amount of radiation zapping your brain.

You’d think clipping your phone to your belt and using a hands-free earpiece and microphone would be a no-brainer next step. But it isn’t. Wired earpieces can serve as an antenna that actually concentrates the radiation your brain receives. And many wireless earpieces are just tiny transmitters/receivers that produce their own radiation.

The safest way to use a cellphone is to hold it away from your body and use the speakerphone setting. Almost everyone agrees that radiation Exposure in that mode is minimal.

I doubt many of you are going to routinely use the speakerphone setting. It eliminates privacy and isn't practical in many situations. But there is still a way to reduce radiation, even when you must hold the cell next to your ear. Simply shift the phone from one ear to the other at regular intervals. That means you aren't concentrating all the radiation on one side of your head.

My last tip involves those bars displayed on the cellphone screen. The bars indicate the strength of the signal. Cellphones are most dangerous when the signal is very weak. Here’s why: In weak signal areas the cellphone cranks up its power automatically in an attempt to compensate. So you’re exposed to more radiation.

Adopt as many of my tips as you can. Even if the radiation fears prove groundless, your stress levels and mental health are bound to improve by spending less time on the cellphone.

©2010/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Bill Husted writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Write to us at businessoflife@livemint.com

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Published: 20 Jul 2010, 10:42 PM IST
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