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Hazards of Mobile Cell Phone Radiation In 1994, there were 16 million cell phone users in the U.S. alone. As of July 2002, there were more than 150 million in the U.S, and over 750 million worldwide. The word radiation is often thought of as referring to the emanations from radioactive materials and X-rays. However, when scientists use the word radiation, they are usually referring to the electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving together and can be transmitted from sources such as cell phones, television transmissions, light from the sun, as well as X-ray machines. Two types of electromagnetic radiation are ionizing and non-ionizing. Ionizing radiation contains enough electromagnetic energy to strip atoms and molecules from the tissue and alters chemical reactions in the body. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation. We know they cause radiation, which is why we wear the lead vest when X-rays are taken of our bodies. Non Ionizing radiation is typically safe; therefore, humans take advantage of its properties. The concern of non ionizing radiation is that it could have long-term effect. It causes some heating effect, but usually not enough to cause any long-term damage to the tissue. Microwave radiation, infrared light, and visible light are forms of non ionizing radiation. Radio-Frequency (RF) radiation is a component of non ionizing radiation. Cell phones emit RF radiation from the movement of electrical charges in the antenna. Radio-frequency radiation has the ability to heat human tissue, especially when exposed in high levels. Damage to tissue can be caused by exposure to RF radiation because the body is not equipped to dissipate excessive amounts of heat. The eyes are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of blood flow in that area.
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