Amobile phone or a cell phone is a long-range, electronic device used for mobile telecommunications which includes mobile telephony, text messaging or data transmission over a cellular network of specialized base stations known as cell sites. The latest mobile phones connect to a cellular network consisting of switching points and base stations (cell sites) owned by a mobile network operator. Base stations are the towers of the service provider which we generally see on the roof of any office building or residential building. The antenna of the cell station may seem harmless to many of us but it emits radiation which is hazardous to all living beings.
Modified currents and voltage generate oscillation of the electric and magnetic field, which propagates in space. The electric and magnetic components oscillate at right angles to each other, and these waves are termed as Electro Magnetic Radiations or EMRs. Mobile phone towers emit electro magnetic rays with frequency of 1900 MHz. This frequency is strong enough to pass through thick concrete walls and it can easily pass through our bodies. These high frequency rays not only harm human beings but have adverse effect on all living beings. Cell phone towers emit radiation in every direction i.e. 360 degree radius around the tower called a "cell". Being inside the "cell" we get good reception of the harmful rays and if we are outside the "cell", we are poor reception.
A cell phone tower has to be placed all across the service providing zone to provide good coverage. The towers are placed in such a way so that the "cells" overlap each other providing complete coverage and very high quality reception. In a "cell" the highest impact area for all living beings is inside one square kilometer range. Many scientists and researchers from all over the world have been studying to assess the health risk caused by the mobile radiation.
In a study carried out in Paris, significant health problems were observed in people living within 300 meters of cell phone base station. The study concluded that cell phone base station should not be placed closer than 300 meters to a populated area.
In the Netherlands, symptoms such as headaches, muscle fatigue, pain and dizziness were found among the people living in the tower emissions areas.
Another study in Spain called "The Microwave Syndrome" found adverse health effects among those living near two cell phone base stations. The health effects included fatigue, a tendency toward depression, sleeping disorders, difficulty in concentrating and cardiovascular problems.
In Israel, the International Journal of Cancer, Wolf And Wolf, reported a fourfold increase in the incidence of cancer in people living within 350 meters of a cell phone tower as compared to the general population.
In Germany, five medical doctros collaborated to assess the risk to people living near a cell phone tower in Nov. 2004. The retrospective study was taken from patient case histories between 1994 and 2004 from those who had lived during the past ten years at a distance up to 400 meters from the tower site. The results showed that the proportion of newly developed cancer cases was significantly higher in those patients living within the 400 meters distance and that the patients became ill eight years earlier on average.
An Austrian Study released in May 2005, showed that radiation from a cell phone tower at a distance of 80 meters causes significant changes of the electrical current in the brain of the test subjects. All test subjects indicated that they felt unwell during the radiation and some reported being seriously ill. Symptoms such as buzzing in the head, tinnitus, palpitations of the heart, lightheadedness, anxiety, shortness of breath, nervousness, agitation, headache, heat sensation and depression were reported. According to scientists, this was the first proof that electrical circuits in the brain are significantly affected by a cell phone tower. The development of brain tumors in staff members working in a building in Melbourne, Australia, prompted the closing of the top floors of the building. The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is housed in the building. Seven staff members were diagnosed with brain tumors and five of the seven worked on the top floor. A cell phone antenna is located on the roof of the building.
A building in Bristol, England, which housed two cell phone antenna of Orange phone company and Vodafone resulted in the increase of cancer rates by ten times the national average for the 110 residents of the building. One of the masts was finally removed after five years of effort by the buildings inhabitants but Vodafone refused to remove the mast.
All these results show that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phone towers has a significant effect on human health.
At the rate that demand for mobile phones is increasing, there will soon be more mobile phone towers standing than the trees. So, if you have a cell phone tower on top of your office space or residential building or are planning to allow one to be placed, think twice before letting them stand.
