The Harmful Effects of Cell Phones and How to Reduce It

Mark DeNicola

We all know it by now, cell phones emit radio-frequency energy. The one thing still up for debate is whether or not this radio-frequency energy is harmful to the human body, and if it is to what extent.

Here is what we do know, radio-frequency is a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). EMR is a wave-like energy that is emitted and absorbed by charged particles. In the case of a cell phone, the phone emits the EMR (in the form of radio-frequency) and the human operating it absorbs it. EMR can be classified into one of two categories: (1) Ionizing – the more powerful of the two, (2) Non-Ionizing – the less powerful and lower frequency.

Radio-frequency has been identified as being a part of the non-ionizing variety. That being the case, the harm it may or may not inflict cannot be as detrimental as certain ionizing EMR’s such as X-rays and radiation therapy - both of which are recognized by the National Cancer Institute as being capable of increasing the risk of cancer.