Do you worry about the long-term health problems of using your phone all the time? Learn about cell phone radiation and how it affects humans in our guide.
Cell phones have grown from convenient communication devices to essential tools of everyday life. Even though practically everyone uses them, there are still lingering doubts about how safe they are to use so frequently for an extended period of time.
In our guide, we’ll tackle some of the most common frequently asked questions regarding cell phones and radiation, like whether they emit radiation and are truly harmful to people.
Cell Phones & Radiation: Common FAQs
Many myths and misconceptions still surround cell phones and radiation, so we’ll answer some common questions about cell phones and radiation to clear up some of these notions below.
Do Cell Phones Emit Radiation?
Practically ever since cell phones first arrived on the scene decades ago and have since become essential aspects of modern life, there’s been a lingering stigma about how they emit radiation and using them too much can cause long-term health damage. Are cell phones radioactive?
Yes and no. Yes, cell phones emit low levels of electromagnetic radiation—which is radiation, but not the type we typically think about, like X-rays. Scientists refer to this type of radiation as non-ionizing, and it is quite common in modern life and deemed harmless to people. This electromagnetic radiation, also called radio frequency energy, combines electric and magnetic fields that move through space together as waves.
Is Cell Phone Radiation Harmful?
Thankfully, the radiation that cell phones emit is not harmful to humans. The FDA and CDC have conducted studies for decades regarding public health and cell phone and have found no scientific link between health issues and cell phone usage. Even with the relative safety of these devices, some people still take precautions just to be safe, like using radiation shields on cell phones.
We’ve been living with cell phones intimately for decades now, and if there were damaging health problems to frequent use, there would be some general public health trends—but to date, none have been found. And it’s not just the FDA and CDC; other health organizations have also conducted their research and come to the same conclusion, including the National Cancer Institute, World Health Organization, and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
Is Cell Phone Radiation Dangerous to Sensitive Individuals or Children?
Another common worry for many people, especially parents, is exposing kids and other sensitive individuals to this non-ionizing radiation emitted from cell phones. Should parents and those with acute health problems worry about cell phone radiation?
The answer is no. As we’ve mentioned, there’s still no link to this non-ionizing radiation causing health problems to even underdeveloped or sensitive people. Non-ionizing radiation emitted from cell phones is quite common in modern life, as other sources of it include the following common household items:
- Light bulbs
- Computers
- Wi-Fi routers
- FM radio
- Bluetooth devices
- Television
All of these sources emit electromagnetic, non-ionizing radiation, but they don’t affect our bodies—and the same goes for cell phone radiation.
The article originally published on Science Atom.
