Not so smart phone: Experts warn against the over-use of mobile phones

Mumbai:Experts at a panel discussion herehave warned against excessive use of mobile phones, with somesaying that "living close to mobile tower is like being in alife size microwave."

At a panel discussion, held here yesterday, the expertstouched upon various forms of radiation, with a special focuson mobile phone radiation. They dwelt on effects that mobilephone radiation can have on people, a release said today.

Dr Girish Kumar, Professor at IIT Bombay said, "livingclose to mobile towers is like being in a life sizemicrowave." The panel of experts also highlighted dangers ofoverusing a mobile phone.

The World Health Organisation Fact Sheet 2011 states thata person using mobile phone 30-40 cm away from the bodywhile texting and using internet will have reduced exposure toradio-frequency fields than someone holding the handset close,the release said.

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"WHO also advocates greater use of hands-free devices, asthey help keep the mobile phone away from head and body duringphone calls. Exposure is also reduced by limiting the numberand length of calls. Using the mobile phone in areas of goodreception also reduces exposure as it allows phone to transmitat reduced power," it said.

[caption id="attachment_1073707" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image. AFP[/caption]

Film actor Juhi Chawla and activist Prakash Munshihighlighted the health hazards resulting from indiscriminateinstallation of mobile towers.Dr Anand Gokani, consulting physician, Bombay Hospitalspoke about precautions to be taken to avoid these healthhazards. Dr Meenakshi Thakur of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbaispoke about radiation diagnosis, nuclear medicines and safetyissues.

The panel discussion on "Radiations: Myths and Realities"was organised to address questions and to educate and informstudents, public and the media, by the Nehru Science Centre.The panel comprised scientists, social scientists andactivists.

PTI