Reduces sperm count
Gynaecologist
and infertility specialist Dr Nandita Palshetkar says that the
high-frequency electromagnetic radiation that cell phones emit may be
associated with increased risk of brain tumours.
"However,
other tissues in the body such as the testes may also be sensitive to
these cell phone radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Cellphone
fields, because of their frequency and intensity, are prone to
increasing temperature in tissues close to where they are used. Men who
use handsfree devices tend to carry their cell phones in their pants
pocket or clipped to their belts at the waist while in talk mode. As a
result, they may be exposing their testicles to damaging radio frequency
electromagnetic waves. When placed close to the testes, such as in a
pocket or on the hip, cell phones have been found to be associated with
reduced sperm motility and concentration . Even cell phones that are at
rest are emitting signals as they constantly monitor the airwaves for a
signal," says Dr Palshetkar.
Researchers in the
US showed that radio frequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell
phones can impair sperm quality. They collected semen samples from 32
men and divided each man's sample into two parts. They placed half of
the semen samples 2.5 centimetres away from an 850 MHz frequency cell
phone in talk mode for one hour.
They chose
this distance because it is the typical distance between the testes and
the trouser pockets. Semen exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic
waves emitted from cell phones had higher levels of damaging free
radicals , lower sperm motility (the ability of the sperm to move and
swim) and sperm viability (the percentage of live sperm), and possibly
greater oxidative stress, the study shows. There were no significant
differences in DNA damage between the exposed and unexposed groups.
Future studies will determine if there is dangerous emission when the
phone is in silent or standby mode. The emission may be smaller than
when in talk mode, but could still be harmful if it reaches the testes,
say researchers.
Risk for people with pacemakers
Interventional
cardiologist Dr Suresh Vijan says that cell phones and portable media
players produce measurable electrical and magnetic fields. But the
strength of these fields will not affect ordinary heart rhythm or
function, studies suggest. "Various experts have also looked at whether
cell phones can present a danger to those with an implanted pacemaker,
internal defibrillator or a similar device. The results, for the most
part, have been reassuring. Problems may be most likely to arise when
pacemakers and defibrillators are being programmed or reset by medical
staff. Signals from consumer gadgets may interfere with settings.
Cellphones
should therefore always be turned off under these circumstances. Such
signals could interfere with everyday function of heart devices as well.
The good news is that the laws of physics dictate that the strength of
the fields generated by cell phones and other electronic players falls
rapidly with distance from the source. What this means is, if you double
the distance from the source, for example, the field force drops
four-fold (two squared), not just two-fold . We recommend that those
with implanted devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators keep their
cell phones at least six inches from the generator to minimise potential
interference," he says.
Hurts the joints
Joint
replacement surgeon Dr Nirad Vengsarkar says that when one overdoes
texting, finger joints start aching and in worst case scenarios, there
is even an early onset of arthritis, especially in the interphalangeal
joints of the thumbs. "There has been a steady rise in the number of
patients who complain of pain in the fingers, with discomfort even
travelling to the arms in some cases. Some people even complain about
neck pain because they tend to hold the phone between their ear and
shoulder while they work. Others use incorrect postures to sit and text.
All these have increased the number of patients who suffer from joint
pain. I would advise people to avoid texting continuously for hours
because in the long run, it will do them a lot of harm."
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