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Question: What is E.M.R.? |
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Answer: E.M.R. refers
to Electromagnetic Radio-frequency Radiation which is
the potentially dangerous frequency emitted by cellular
or mobile phones. High frequency ionizing forms of
radiation exists as X-rays, Gamma rays and forms of
nuclear radiation known to be hazardous . Non-ionizing
radiation of lower frequency ionizing forms such as
early cell phones were thought to be safe. That view has
changed since cell phones and mobile phones have grown
in strength from low-level radio waves to high-level
microwaves. No scientific study has proven conclusively
that the use of cellular phones is hazardous to human
health, yet continued use of higher frequency phones
could adversely affect the central nervous system,
diminish the effectiveness of the immune system and
facilitate the development of cancer according to
scientific research. Perhaps this is why governments and
health organizations worldwide are spending millions of
dollars towards on-going research to determine the long
term effects of exposure to E.M.R from cellular and
mobile phones. |
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Question: What is S.A.R.? |
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Answer: S.A.R. or
Specific Absorption Rate of Radiation is used to measure
the amount of radiation that the human body absorbs from
any source, including cellular phones. The F.C.C.
(Federal Communications Commission) sets limits as to
what they deemed were safe levels of radiation from cell
phones. In the beginning when analog phones were 800-900
MHZ of power, most of the cell phones manufactured met
these safe guidelines. However as manufacturers raised
the power of their phones up to 1800-2000MHZ and analog
was replaced by digital, the majority of the cell phones
now exceed the safe levels set by the F.C.C. In fact the
manufacturers continue to lobby to have the levels
raised, so they may keep increasing the power of the
phones. The highest S. A. R. in the body is in the ear,
thus the concern about excessive cell phone use and the
strength of the signal. |
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Question:
How is S.A.R. measured on a cell phone? |
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Answer: When a call is
made or received there is a band of radiation from the
antenna, half of which disappears into space. The
remaining radiation is around the skull, face and ear
area of the user and runs through the circuitry of the
phone when transmitting the call. A dummy head is
immersed in a gel-like solution similar to body fluid
and a cell phone is attached to the ear. Readings are
taken from the antenna to determine the S.A.R. strength
which will vary from phone to phone and proximity to the
closest signal tower. |
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Question:
What is the difference between a Radio Wave and a
Microwave? |
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Answer: Radio Waves are
low levels of transmission power for signals to and from
your phone. These non-ionizing frequencies of radiation
are safe. However as signal strength grows from a few
hundred MHZ of power to beyond 800 MHZ, the
electro-magnetic spectrum increases and these waves
become microwaves. For example, the older mobile house
and office phones were a few hundred MHZ of radio waves
but the farther you moved from the base, the weaker the
signal became and you would lose the call or it would
break up. Now mobile phones are 900MHZ to 2.4GIGS or
more of power so you do not lose the calls as you travel
from room to room or go outside, but your phone is now
into Microwaves/infrared waves of radiating power. |
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Question: Is
it true that radiation comes from the antenna? |
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Answer: Yes, as we
explained in the S.A.R. question, there is a band of
radiation around your head from the antenna half of
which disappears into space. However the skull is hard
and there are calcium deposits for some protection. The
most vulnerable area for radiation is the soft tissue of
the inner ear where most of the reports of tumors have
been reported. And as we stated the highest incidence of
S.A.R. in the body is in the ear. We have found no
reports of tumors on the skull, chin, face or opposite
side of the head, but mainly behind the ear where the
phone is placed when receiving or transmitting a call |
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Question:
What is meant by the term NEAR-FIELD RADIATION? |
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Answer: Near-field
refers to that portion of the radiation coming off the
antenna that goes directly into the inner ear when you
place the phone against your ear to make or receive a
call. This portion of the radiation is considered the
most dangerous to the user for two reasons: 1) As
stated, the highest incidence of radiation in the body
is in the ear and 2) most of the reports of tumors have
been reported just behind the ear, thus any product that
could effectively block that portion of radiation from
entering the inner ear would be a valuable health tool. |
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Question:
What about using a hands-free kit to keep the phone away
from my head? |
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Answer: Hands-free kits
are currently used for convenience, by law in some
states while driving a vehicle and mostly by concerned
cell phone users who want to keep the phone away from
their head because of concern about radiation. However
in studies and tests of many of the hands-free kits by
scientists and consumer groups in Europe, they found
that the wire from the ear piece acts as an aerial and
actually increases the radiation by three times.
Bluetooth headsets are equally dangerous as the signal
from the phone carries radiation directly into the inner
ear. |
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Question: Is
there any proof that cell phones are dangerous? |
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Answer: The jury is
still out on the long term effects of cell phone use,
while in the meantime governments worldwide and health
organizations like the World Health Organization
continue to allocate millions of dollars towards on
going research to determine the effects of cell phone
usage. These organizations along with others are
documenting more reports of brain tumors and increased
cases of litigation against cell phone manufacturers. |
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Question:
Are there any danger signals from excessive cell phone
use? |
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Answer: Many users
report symptoms like hot phones, headaches, fatigue,
tingling sensations and even memory loss. Of course some
phones are hotter than others. In a study of teens under
16 years of age, scientists in Europe reported
short-term memory loss (up to 50 minutes) after using a
cell phone. |
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Question:
Should I be concerned about my teenager using a cell
phone? |
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Answer: By all reports,
you should be concerned especially for the younger
adolesent child. Their brain tissues are still growing,
their skull is half as thick as adults yet we see a
growing use of cell phones worldwide by young teens. |
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Question:
Which phones have the highest radiation levels? |
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Answer: Each month we
will post the top ten highest radiation rated cell
phones in both the United States and Europe. Please
check in often as we will update this information as new
models and testing reports are available. |
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Question:
Are there any steps I can take to reduce the potential
risk of cellular radiation? |
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Answer: Yes, first use
a phone with a long antenna pointed away from the head.
Every inch is important. Unfortunately we see
manufacturers making phones with short stub antennas or
the antenna inside the phone because the phone has more
design style. If you must use a phone in the car, use a
speaker phone so there is no contact between you and the
phone. Cut out non-essential calls to reduce time spent
on the phone. In particular replacing your existing
mobile phones at home with cellular free long distance
plans is not a good idea. You may save money but in the
long run not save your health. There are shielding
devices on the market that claim to block radiation.
Applying one of these items can reduce radiation, but
ask for valid testing from a recognized government
sanctioned laboratory to back up the claims. |
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Question:
What about products that attach to the phone or antenna
that claim to shield radiation, do any of these items
work? |
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Answer: Most of these
products are bogus, but research supports that two or
three of these shields may actually do what they claim
to do. Look or ask for valid testing of the product used
on actual phones by a recognized testing authority. We
found that items that attach to the antenna or base of
the antenna claim to block radiation away (yet let the
signal come in) do not work --- they can not do both. If
they did block radiation, they would also block the
signal and you could not communicate. |
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Question:
What about antenna boosters that claim to increase your
signal? |
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Answer: We have checked
these items out through testing and personal usage. Our
findings are that they are a simply, at best, a faux
ornamnet---no more than a sticker that attaches on the
side of the phone or inside the battery cover. In theory
if they were to work, they would have to be "grounded",
plus if they did work and increased reception, they
would increase the radiation from your phone, thus be
counter productive to your well being. |
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Question: If
radiation shields are effective, why haven't the
manufacturers put one in their phones? |
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Answer: For years the
cell phone manufacturers have told us radiation levels
of phones were so low it was similar to a hairdryer. And
in the meantime they have been raising the power of
their phones to give you better reception, thus
increasing the radiation levels. As well they have told
you that shields do not work, yet recent news reports
uncovered patents by the manufacturers indicating that
they are planning on putting a shield inside their
phones. We expect that the results of recent liability
law suits against the cell phone makers may change the
future manufacturing standards. |
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