Health Hazards in Mobile and Computer UseProf. Dr. S. Aswini Kumar. MD

Professor of MedicineGovt. Medical College Hospital

ThiruvananthapuramEmail: draswinikumars@gmail.com

1

MOBILE PHONES

2

Launched in early 90s

Revolutionized communication

Low cost utility itemIndispensible

service

Truly mobile in nature

Cell Phones

3

3,000,000,000 users world

wide

4

% of Population Using Mobiles

5

India

In India, mobile phones overtook

fixed phones in 2005

India is the 2nd largest market in the worldfor mobile phones.

6

Situation in Kerala

7

8

WHO Concern of Mobile Hazards

Because of Electro -Magnetic Radiations

9

Mobiles = Microwave Ovens

10

Is it really dangerous?

11

Thermographic ChangeHeat generated on the face by 15 minutes of cell phone use

due to their electromagnetic radiation

Thermal Effects

12

Thermal Effect of Cell Phones

13

14

Specific Absorption Rate

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed by the body when exposed to

a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field15

X-rays

Roentgen (1895)

Background

X-Ray of his wife’s hand16

Radiologists began to suffer from radio dermatitis since 1896. But there was total denial of the existence of X-ray

effects

Radiation Dermatitis

17

Hiroshima

August 6, 1945, @ 8:15 A.M. local time 

18

19

20

21

Electromagnetic Radiation

22

23

3 sources of radiation

24

How is the radiation produced by a cell phone

transmitted?

25

US Analog

3 Watts

CDMAMobile

1 Watts

GSM Mobile

2 Watts

Power Output of Mobile Phones

26

Continuous

More powerful

Close quarters

Power Output of Base stations Mobile phones

27

ICNIRP Guideline

28

ICNRP Reference Levels

29

World Health Organization

“Serious health effects like cancer are unlikely from mobile phones and

their base stations”

Based upon the consensus view of medical and scientific

communities

But ….

30

Fatigue Headaches Loss of sleep

Memory loss Ringing ears Joint pains

31

Mobile phones open up the Blood Brain Barrier

32

33

Children are more prone to radiation

34

PregnancyEMR may affect the fetus

35

Can moblies cause brain

tumors?

?36

Studies on Brain Cancer & Mobiles

37

Theory behind brain tumors

38

Risk of Acoustic Neuroma

39

Salivary Gland Tumors

An Israeli study showed that heavy mobile phone use can cause salivary gland tumors

40

Radiation from cell phones can interact

with electronic devices

41

Mobile phones are banned in majority of air planes

42

Mobile Phone & Defibrillators

43

Cell phones may interfere

with pacemakers

44

Driving, while using a mobile

phone is dangerous

Indirect Effects

45

Cell Phones Cause Traffic Accidents

Risk of accidents ↑ by 4 times

46

47

New Delhi

Mumbai

Kerala

Andhra Ineffective due to lack of visible

enforcement

Banning cell phones while

driving

Only 4 states

48

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson

Mobile cycling

49

50

Crossing Street while talking on mobile phone

Suicidal

51

Mobile Traps

52

Mobile Abuse

53

Mobile Terror

54

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE USE OF MOBILES

55

1. Minimize the duration of use

Not more than 3

minutes

Atleast 15’

intervals56

2. Use hands-free to decrease the radiation to the head

57

Use speaker phone or headset

Step 3

58

Step 5

· Limit the use of cell phones by at-risk population (such as children).

4. Limit use of cell phones by children59

5. Avoid living near the base stations

60

Step 6

61

7. Never use a cell phone when a

conventional phone is available

62

Mobil8. Mobile phones prohibited near

ICU and OT

63

9. The practice of installing

antennas needs to be regulated

64

10. The SAR value for each hand set

should be provided by the manufacturers

65

HEALTH HAZARDS OF COMPUTER USE

Computer cannot kill?

66

All Are Avoidable

67

Eye Strain

Also called Computer

Vision Syndrome 68

Eye Strain- Symptoms

69

Any of the symptoms given below?

Position your monitor at right angles to the

window

70

Install an anti-glare screen71

Flickering Monitor

72

Adjust the brightness

73

Don't forget to blink. Your eyes need the moisture.

Eye Irritation

74

Hand Problems

Repetitive Strain Injury 75

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

76

Ergonomic Keyboard

77

Use a mouse pad with wrist rest

78

Wrong Keyboard Position

Hands at angles -Nerves at the wrist

are trapped

Elbows away from body -Causes a static load -

Aching shoulders and neck79

Correct Keyboard Position

Keep your wrist and hands in line with the forearm

Keep your elbow at right angles to the upperarm

80

Hold mouse loosely and click lightly

81

Neck and Back Strain

82

Eyes in line with Top of The Monitor

83

A computer writing platform 

84

85

Preferably chairs should be on wheels, have

lumbar support, tilt adjustment,

and have arms

86

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

· Adjust your chair or table height to have your elbow angle at 90-100 degrees

Computer Ergonomics

87

Be sure you have enough desk space for work papers and

other equipment

88

intersperse other tasks with your computer work

89

Move around

Take frequent short breaks

90

Computer Related Anxiety Disorder

91

92

Pornographic Sites

CLICK HERE

93

Computer in the

living room

94

Computer in the

Study room

Laptop Cause Sterility?

95

Laptop Catching Fire

96

Laptop Cooler Pad 97

Or Keep A Fire Extinguisher Ready

98

Conclusions

Mobiles and computers have become part of our lives

They add immensely to our lifestyle and productivity

There are hidden dangers in their use

Be aware of these health hazards

Take early remedial measures

Before it is too late

Lest you suffer

99

Thank You

100

This presentaion is available in internet at authorstream.com &

slideshare.net