Thursday, June 2, 2011

Bad Side of the Coin: A Truth, or a Faux

            Technology has been a part of human life. Thanks to them our life has been made easier. That’s the good side of the coin. But have you ever wondered what could be on the other side? Or we're just too focused in the good one that we neglected to flip it on the other. We are a living in a world full of opposites. White is the opposite of black; rich, as to poor; tall, as to short; good, as to evil. WHO has made an announcement that flipped that coin and made people open their eyes and see. Made us see that technology may give us something bad in return, or just plainly blurring our visions of it.



               May 31, 2011--WHO made an important announcement that alarmed the people and cellular phone companies. They confirmed that cellular phones are a possible carcinogen, with the same carcinogenic hazards of lead, smoking and asbestos. 31 scientists, from 14 countries, made their decisions after they reviewed a peer-reviewed research on cell phone use.  

               They found out that people who have used cell phones for more than 10 years doubled the rate of having glioma--a type of tumor--in the brain. Environmental factors, like radiation, take time to develop and it’s best to warn people as soon as possible.Children and young adults has a thinner skulls making them more exposed to radiation; however, research on cell phones effects on children has not yet been made. 




            Unlike the X-ray, cell phones emits non-ionizing radiations. It’s the same as low-powered microwave oven. To simply explain it, imagine what a microwave oven does to your food--It cooks the food. At the same way, gradual exposure of non-ionizing radiations damages your brain. 






            Upon these statements, The  Wireless Association defended that researches only reviewed published studies and further explained that cellphones doesn't cause cancer. Cellular Manufacturer has also warned their consumers regarding these radiations.


"When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or for wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 15 millimeters (5/8 inch) away from the body."--The Apple iPhone 4 safety manual

"keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 inch (25 millimeters) from your body when the BlackBerry device is transmitting."--BlackBerry Bold



            To minimize the risks, professionals suggest to keep cellular phones 1 inch away from the body. Use headphones to answer you call and avoid placing it near your head. As much as possible, place it somewhere away from your body like a purse or a bag. Avoid using your cellular phones if the signal is low. Cellular phones emit radiation if it contacts any communication tower. So to compensate, it increases its emitted non-ionizing radiations to give you a better signal; therefore, avoid answering calls in the basement, elevators, mountains and in any areas that are low in cell phone signals.

            There has been no claim yet made to the exact cause between cell phones and tumors. WHO only suggests that there could be a possibility and people should be aware ahead of time. How would would feel upon hearing this news? Would you panic and stop answering your calls? Or, would you use your head to critically think and find the answers that are hidden away from view. Did the researchers considered any correlating variables--that may be also a cause of tumor growth--like: race, heredity, gender, and lifestyle? With every answers made, more questions are generated. The thinking cup thinks that this study lacks evidence and must go through clinical studies. The decision is up to you: to believe it, or not. What's side are you on the coin then?




Photo Credit:
http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=cellphones&order=9&offset=72#/dm2k9l
http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=microwave&order=9&offset=24#/d1uybz6
http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=brain&order=9&offset=48#/d1jeqr6
http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=apple%20iphone%204&order=9&offset=48#/d2uh61s
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&global=1&q=blackberry+bold#/d2bv4sh 

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