Is using a cell phone while driving bad for your health

Since cell phone use is so widespread ( in 2011 , it was estimated that there are about five billion mobile phone users ) , public concern about possible health effects of mobile phones have been wide coverage in the media. Because many people use mobile phones, medical researchers are concerned that all the associated health risks , however small, can cause significant health problems .
It is important to understand the risks and consequences of cell phone use and make your own mind about how your cell phone .

Health issues on the use of mobile phone

Of cellular base stations with radio frequency (RF) - communicate radiation. If the RF radiation is high enough, it has a "thermal" effect , the average body temperature is raised . It is feared that the low RF radiation from cell phones can cause health problems such as headaches or brain tumors.

Research on mobile phones and health risks

International Intensive research has found no conclusive or convincing evidence that cell phones found harmful in the short or long term. But in May 2011, ranked the World Health Organization (WHO) RF radiation as " possibly carcinogenic to humans based on an increased risk of glioma, a type of brain tumor risk basis ."

The publication of this statement WHO opportunity for many people call a " precautionary principle" with the use of mobile phones. Research is ongoing.

Radiation with respect to the use of the cellular telephone

Radiation is a combination of electric and magnetic energy that moves with the speed of light through the gap . It is also called electromagnetic radiation ( EMR) . Radiation is divided into two main groups:
Ionizing radiation (IR ) - and which is capable of causing changes in atoms or molecules in the body, which can cause tissue damage such as cancer. IR examples include X rays and gamma rays.
Non-ionizing radiation (NIR ) - which do not cause these changes, but can cause molecules vibrate . This can lead to increases in temperature, such as the effects of lead and others. Examples include UV- NIR sunlight , visible light , light bulbs , infrared radiation , microwave energy and radio frequency energy.
As the phone works

The mobile phone system works like a two-way radio and includes each handset and base stations. Base station antennas are mounted above the ground ( on a tower or a rooftop ) for the widest coverage . A mobile telephone is a radio receiver and a transmitter .

When you make a call, your phone uses radio frequency radiation ( RF) "talk" on the antenna of a neighboring base station . Once the base station has received the signal , your call to the fixed telephone network is managed.

Cellular base stations emit relatively constant level of RF radiation. The combined emit RF radiation levels ranging from three things:
How long did you call
How you hold the phone in your body
How close you are to the base station . If the connection to the base station is weak , the handset has increased to compensate for the dose rate.
Levels of RF radiation from the handset to which you are exposed to your head, about 100 to 1000 times more powerful than the exposure from base stations .

The regulation of Australian telephone system

It is estimated that RF radiation is kept from the phone to your ear a localized area of the face and to a lesser extent , your brain , heat from a fraction of a degree . This is less than the heat caused , for example, exercise . However, a high RF radiation overheat and cause damage to body tissues.

Exposure to RF radiation Australian mobile phones is far below the level at which a sensible heating occurs. All mobile phones in Australia are Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency ( ARPANSA ) Standard RPS third

Research in cell phones and health

There have been numerous studies worldwide to RF radiation and its effects on the body. There is a big difference between a biological effect - an effect on the body - and the impact on health.

For example, an RF radiation from a mobile phone , the biological effect of the rise in temperature in a localized brain by a fraction of a degree area. This biological effect is not automatically carry no risk to health. The human body is equipped with very large fluctuations in temperature without damage.

Cell Phone Use and Cancer
Since RF radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation , it does not lead to cancer. There are no other known biological pathway that RF radiation may be carcinogenic.

Mobile phones and other health effects
While research is ongoing to determine whether cell phone use causes health problems , apart from cancer, no adverse health effects are not yet found.

Other health effects of mobile phones

The use of cell phones may also have other indirect effects on health. For example:
Electronic devices - it is disturbing to RF radiation electronic medical devices , when the device is vulnerable as possible to the region. Handsets must be extinguished in the hospital building .
Accidents - studies show that using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of traffic accidents . Talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is illegal in all states and territories of Australia.
Precautions to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation

The evidence so far suggests that cell phones are not harmful , but the risks and long-term consequences are not yet clear. If you are concerned, you can reduce your exposure to RF radiation by:
Choosing a phone model that has a low specific absorption rate (SAR) , which absorbed the amount of RF energy through the body's tissues refers
With a landline if one is available
Keep your calls short
With speaker
Not for your phone close to your body when it is turned
Be careful claimed that guards or "shield" , you can reduce your exposure to RF radiation - there is no evidence to suggest these devices work . In fact, they may increase the RF radiation because the phone will automatically increase its RF output to fight against the effects of the shield, in order to obtain the highest level of communication.
Where can I get help
your doctor
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Agency ( ARPANSA ) Tel safety. (03) 9433 2211
Department of Human Services , the radiation safety program Tel. 1300 767 469
What to consider
The current international consensus is that cell phones do not cause cancer or promote the accelerated growth of existing tumors .
Cancer can take many years , even decades , to develop. Population studies have only followed the impact on health after a few years, the use of mobile phones.
Using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of traffic accidents . Talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is illegal in all states and territories of Australia.