BIOLOGY

PROJECT

BY:M.SWADEEP
12 BIO I
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TOPIC:
HARMFUL
EFFECTS OF
MOBILE PHONE
RADIATION
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INTRODUCTION
Mobile phones were introduced for the
convenient communication. Mobile phone
subscriptions have grown at very fast pace in
the last 20 years. It has penetrated over 70%
of the population across the globe. India has
also witnessed this growth and has
approximately 910 million wireless
connections today. Although there are many
advantages of mobile phones but it has a
negative side also. The effects of
electromagnetic (EM) radiations form mobile
towers and mobile phone handsets have
many adverse effects on health. With
increasing number of mobile phones, the
numbers of mobile towers have also
increased multifold. The towers installed on
the rooftops of houses and in densely
populated areas are causing some serious
health hazards. On 31 May, 2011 World

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Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the
radiations from the mobile phones as a
carcinogenic hazard for human health.
Electromagnetic radiations: Electromagnetic
radiation is described by the flow of photons
in the space. Each photon contains a certain
amount of energy, and the different types of
radiations are defined by the amount of
energy found in the photons. The
electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all
types of EM radiation. There are two types of
EM radiations: 1. Ionizing radiations: Theses
waves contain high energy that overcome the
binding energy of electrons in
atoms/molecules and creates ions. Examples
include ultraviolet rays, X-rays, gamma rays,
cosmic rays, etc. [12]. 2. Non-ionizing
radiations: These waves do not carry high
energy per quantum to make ions from
atoms/molecules. These are low-frequency
radiations. Examples are radio waves,
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microwaves, infrared waves, etc.
Electromagnetic Frequency Spectrum Effects
of EMF radiation can be studied in two ways
i.e. bio-effects and health effects. 1. Bio-
effects are measured as responses to a
change in the atmosphere and may not harm
our health. Biological effects can be of two
types i.e. Thermal and Non-Thermal effects.
a) Thermal Effects refers to the heat
generated due to absorption of EM
radiations. The heating effect can occur near
head while using mobile phones which can
increase its temperature. Using mobile
phones for longer duration can increase the
temperature of the body. b) Non-Thermal
Effects are produced by the electromagnetic
effects inside the biological cells of the body
which can harm our body. 2. Health effects
are the changes which may be short term or
long term. These effects stress the system
and may be harmful to human health.
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iiSOURCES OF EM RADIATIONS :
EM radiations have two primary sources in
case of mobile services: a) Radiations from
Base Transceiver Station (BTS) b) Radiations
from mobile phone handsets Both theses
radiations fall under the category of non-
ionizing radiations as these are low energy
waves and are unable to break the atoms into
ions. a) Radiations from Base Transceiver
Station (BTS): A BTS provides wireless
communication link between the user and the
network. It has a number of radio-
transmitters which are combined and fed to
Base station antenna through cables. So, the
total radiated power will be equal to the sum
of output from each transmitter. The
maximum exposure to radiations will be at
the peak hour when all the channels are used
and the sector having the highest call traffic

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will have the highest exposure to EM
radiations. Gain of antennas and transmission
power levels also play a vital role in assessing
the exposure of EM radiations from BTS.
Omnidirectional antennas have higher gain
than sector antennas which provide high
efficiency and coverage but the risk of
exposure also increases. The primary lobes
exhibit the maximum radiations in horizontal
direction. Radiations from secondary lobes
range from medium to low [6]. The level of
radiation starts decreasing as we move away
from the line of antenna to its side lobes.
Radiation pattern of Base Station antenna [6]
EM radiation depends on the following: - i.
Frequency / wavelength of RF signal being
transmitted. ii. Radio Frequency Power
radiated from the antenna. iii. Duration of
Exposure of RF signal at a given distance from
the antenna. iv. Exposure from other
antennas located in the area. v. Duration/
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frequency of recurrent exposure. vi.
Temperature and humidity. b) Radiations
from mobile phone handsets: EM radiations
from mobile handsets are within limits and
are about 1W. It operates within prescribed
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) which gives
the amount of radio waves absorbed by body
tissues while using mobile phones. SAR is
defined as the rate at which energy is
absorbed by human body when exposed to
electromagnetic frequency (EMF). It
expresses the power absorbed per mass of
tissue and its units are Watts per Kilogram
(W/Kg). In areas of low coverage and low field
strength, the prescribed values of SAR can be
However, it does not consider the specific
transmission properties of each mobile
handset. It shows only the maximum value
and does not indicate the actual or average
value. Although SAR is an important value to
compare the maximum exposure to EM
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 radiation but does not have sufficient
information about practical EM exposure for
reliable comparison of individual mobile
phone handset models. The radiations from
BTS as well as mobile handsets moves
invisibly through human body and plays havoc
on its biochemistry. A large number of studies
have been done related to exposure to EM
radiations which suggests increased risk of
many diseases like Alzheimer, heart diseases,
miscarriage, brain tumors, leukemia, stress,
fatigue, depression, memory loss, sleep
disorders, DNA damage, hormonal imbalance,
etc.

iiiEFFECTS OF EM RADIATIONS
Effects on Human Health: Every individual
respond in a different way to similar levels of EM
radiations. There are various short-term and long-
term effects from mobile radiations. Short-term
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effects may include sleep disorders, headaches,
depression, memory loss, etc. while long-term
effects can be brain tumor, cancer, DNA damage,
etc. 1. Cancer: According to a study performed by
doctors from German city of Naila [3], a newly-
diagnosed cancer rate is three times higher for
those living within 400 meters of mobile phone
towers than those living far away. Breast cancer
was one of the most observed while that of
prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin, lung, and blood
also increases [17]. Children and teenagers,
before the age of 20 are five times more likely to
get brain cancer, as their brain is not fully
developed and radiation penetration is much
deeper. It is possible that today's young people
may suffer an "epidemic" of the disease in later
life [8]. 2. Hormonal imbalance: studies
conducted by Charles Graham, PhD, physiologist
at Midwest research Institute in Kansas City,
shows that EM radiations imbalances the
hormones [3]. Women and men were exposed to
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higher levels of EM radiations for a night in the
laboratory which increased their serum estrogen
levels in women and decreased the testosterone
levels in men [4]. The increased levels of estrogen
develop the risk of cancer and decreased level of
testosterone has been related to development of
prostate and testicular cancers [8]. Another
hormone called, melatonin, secreted by pineal
gland in brain and is responsible for sleep cycle is
also effected by EM radiations. The level of
melatonin is higher at night and is low during the
day. It is produced almost 90 minutes after we fall
asleep. When this hormone is inhibited by
radiations many problems are caused like sleep
disorders, insomnia, headaches, etc. The cells are
repaired and rejuvenated while sleeping but lack
of sleep can lead to development of cancer. 3.
DNA damage: Studies by Carl Blackman have
shown that weak electromagnetic fields release
calcium ions from cell membranes. Leakage of
calcium ions into the cytosol acts as a metabolic
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stimulant, that is responsible for growth and
healing, and also promotes the growth of tumors.
Loss of calcium ions causes leaks in the
membranes of lysosomes releasing DNA’s that
causes DNA damage. Another possibility of DNA
damage can be through increased free radical
formation inside cells, which further causes
cellular damage in the mitochondria. 4. Stress:
Mobile phones can cause physical stress in the
body in addition to mental interruptions. When
the body experiences a stress event the “flight or
fight” response is triggered. Certain stress
hormones are released from the adrenal glands,
the first of which is adrenaline. The effects of
adrenaline include rapid heart rate, increased
energy level, increased blood pressure, muscle
contraction, rapid breathing, etc. These effects
are not harmful if they only occur for a short
period of time but can harm the body in case of
long periods. Another chemical released by the
adrenal gland is a hormone called cortisol.
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Cortisol is the body’s natural form of cortisone.
When the human body is chronically stressed
higher amounts of cortisol are released. These
high amounts of cortisol suppress the immune
system, blood sugar levels rise and insomnia can
occur. Finally, after long-term continual stress
responses the adrenal glands become tired and
fatigued. Symptoms like Irritability, fatigue, anger,
road rage, high blood pressure, loss of blood
sugar control, decreased thyroid function and
weight gain can result from this condition. 5.
Miscarriages and high Blood Pressure: Exposure
to mobile phone radiations can increase blood. A
German study, published in The Lancet, reported
that the level of blood pressure was increased in a
group of volunteers when mobile phones were
randomly turned on and off without the
participants knowledge [15]. Another hazard
linked to the EM radiations exposure is
miscarriages. One of the studies conducted in this

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area shows a 180% increased risk for miscarriage
when exposed to medium to low radiations [16].
IV. PREVENTIONS FROM EM RADIATIONS
Safety guidelines for preventions of health
hazards from the EM radiations: There are
wireless signals all around us and these are
invisible. We cannot escape the radiations but we
can follow safety guidelines given by various
organizations to minimize the health hazards
from these radiations. International Commission
on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is
an independent body that studies the illeffects of
non-ionizing radiations on human health. It
comprises of experts from various fields such as
Epidemiology, Biology, Dosimetry and Optical
Radiations, etc. As per ICNIRP guidelines, the
safety levels are:
SAFETY GUIDELINES BY ICNIRP
Frequency range (f) Power density (W/m2 )

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 400 MHz – 2GHz: f/200
2GHz – 300GHz : 10
In India, monitoring of the radiation emanating
from the BTS is carried out by the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT). The DoT has issued
instructions regarding setting up of acceptable EMF
radiation limits and the testing procedure to be
followed. The Telecom Enforcement Resource &
Monitoring (TERM) Cells, a unit of DOT, tests upto
10% of BTS sites selected randomly by them.
Additionally, BTS sites, against which there are
public complaints, are also tested by TERM Cells. In
2008, DoT has adopted the ICNIRP Guidelines and
prescribed limits/levels for antennas (Base Station
Emissions) for general public exposure [12]. Safe
radiation levels should be adopted as 0.01W/m2
which will reduce the transmission power from each
mobile tower. More number of repeaters and fiber
optic solutions should be installed. The installation
of antenna should be in such a way that it should
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not be installed in the direction of houses/buildings.
The antennas should be installed away from the
densely populated areas. To avoid potential risks,
some simple steps can be employed to minimize
exposure and effects of RF radiation. 1. The time
spent by a person on using mobile phones should
be reduced. 2. If long conversations by mobile
phone must be conducted on daily basis then
distance should be placed between the body and
the source of the EM radiations, which will help in
minimizing the exposure level. For example, one
can use headset with the mobile phone so that a
distance can be maintained between the body and
the mobile phone handset. 3. Devices marketed
under Cell/Wave Guard were found to reduce a
significant amount of radio frequency emissions
could be used to prevent these emissions from
entering the body. While this represents a
significant reduction it is not known if it is enough
to guard against all potential effects. However, it is
the best technology easily available today. 4. Digital
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mobile phones can be used instead of analog
phones as digital phones emit lower EM radiations,
thus lowering potential adverse effects. 5. Mobile
handsets with lower SAR value should be preferred
while purchasing as most mobile phone providers
give information about the SAR values on the
batteries of these phones. 6. People with
pacemakers should take some simple precautions
to make sure that their cellular phones do not cause
a problem. For example, they should hold the
mobile phone to the ear on the opposite side of the
body where the pacemaker is implanted. Some
extra distance between the pacemaker and the
phone should be maintained. Placing the mobile
phone near pacemaker, i.e. in shirt pocket, should
be avoided. Practicing some of the above safe
mobile phone usage habits and avoiding excessive
use can lead to minimize the health hazards from
the radiations of mobile phones.

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V. CONCLUSION
Mobile phones are used widely throughout the
world for easier connectivity and wireless
communication. Mobile phones have a darker side
also as these emit the electromagnetic radiations
which cause many health risks. The mobile phones
handsets and the antennas used for wireless
communication are studied as primary sources of
electromagnetic radiations. This paper has also
reviewed long-term and short-term effects of
mobile phones. Long-term usage of mobile phones
cause health hazards such as cancer, high blood
pressure, miscarriages, DNA damage, hormonal
imbalance etc. while their shortterm uses can cause
conditions like insomnia, depression, headaches,
sleep disorders, etc. To minimize the health issues
related to the exposure of radiations the safety

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guidelines provided by various organizations such as
ICNIRP should be followed. Following some simple
mobile phone usage habits such as the time,
distance between the mobile and body, etc. can
prevent the various health hazards from the
radiations of the mobile phones.

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