Is it safe to use a mobile phone?

It is hard to give a definitive answer to this question. It is not possible to say that there is no risk involved in virtually anything we do.

Where are the dangers?

It is extremely unlikely that the radio transmission will do you damage (see the microwave radiation page for details). Its only known effect is heating, and the powers used by mobile phones are so low that this is minimal.

If you use your mobile phone outdoors in sunlight, the heat radiation from the sun will be hundreds of times more powerful than the phone, and sunlight also includes ultraviolet that damages your skin and can cause cancer. Try to be in a shady spot for long calls in Summer sun.

During a long phone call, the handset may get warm, and it is possible that polymers from the plastic phone casing may migrate onto your skin, possibly causing irritation to some delicate skins.

Holding the phone to your ear can give circulatory or muscle tension problems in your shoulder, elbow or neck. You may get a hot, squashed ear. All these are just as true for any telephone, not just mobiles, of course. Mobiles normally give you the option of a personal handsfree unit which helps with all these factors.

There are reports of users getting headaches, which are possibly to do with the sound coming from the earpiece. Some have a harsh quality, and others need the user's concentration to hear what is being said.

There is the stress of using a telephone, particularly when the call is about something important. Some people find being readily available stressful in itself. Others find the same thing a great reassurance.

Some people find it stressful to be worried about the mobile's battery running down. The solution to this is simple: buy a spare battery or an extended battery.

Is it safe for school children?

Many school children have mobile phones, and concern has been expressed that they may be more susceptible to the as-yet-unidentified possible risks of using them.

This is a valid point, but it is worth pointing out that if they are spending their money on mobile phone top-ups, they'll have less to spend on cigarettes and junk food, so the health benefits may greatly outweigh any theoretical risk!

See also [ Microwave Radiation ] : [ Base Station Danger ]

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