By Onyeche Igwe
Phones have become an essential part of our daily lives, but they come with potential risks when placed in certain locations.
From the front trouser pocket to under your pillow, some common phone-carrying habits may be exposing you and your loved ones to harmful radiation. Research has linked phone radiation to various health issues, including reduced sperm count, increased cancer risk, and disrupted hormonal balance.
Front trouser pocket
Compared to other organs, the testes are more susceptible to radiofrequency radiation. Research on the sperm outside the body showed that exposure to phone radiation may decrease sperm count, motility, and viability. Also, long-term exposure to electromagnetic field radiation may increase the risk of testicular cancer. Phone radiation may disrupt hormonal balance, affecting testosterone levels and reproductive health and contributing to reproductive problems, such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. To minimize risks, consider keeping the phone away from the testes, limiting exposure time, using airplane mode, or turning off the phone when not in use.
Shirt Pocket or Bra
Carrying your phone in tight clothing can increase radiation exposure, potentially leading to cancer, fertility issues, or other health problems. Scientists and breast cancer radiologists have called on women to refrain from putting their phones in their bras; as electromagnetic radiation is a potential cause of breast cancer.
On your hip
If you are pregnant, placing your phone on your hip can lead to radiation exposure to your unborn child. According to News Medical, pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of electromagnetic field radiation experienced increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, miscarriages, early births with low birth weights, temperature fluctuations, heart rate variability (HRV), altered nervous system development, decreased head and chest circumference, hyperactivity, and speech difficulties in the newborn. While surfing the net or using your phone, refrain from placing your phone on your belly bump or hip to reduce the distance of exposure from your unborn child.
In your Child’s stroller
Children’s bodies are more sensitive to radiation due to their smaller size and developing tissues. Toddlers under five have relatively thin skulls and long-term exposure to phone radiation may increase the risk of cancer, particularly brain cancer. Phone radiation may affect brain development, leading to issues like ADHD, anxiety, or cognitive impairment. Exposure to phone radiation can also interfere with children’s sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, mood swings, and other behavioral issues. Phones can overheat in a stroller, especially in warm weather, posing a burn risk to the child. To minimize risks, consider keeping the phone away from the child’s body, and limiting exposure time.
Under Pillow
Sleeping with your phone under your pillow can lead to overheating, radiation exposure, and discomfort, potentially causing health issues like headaches, insomnia, or even cancer. The risk from this radiation potentially increases with the proximity of your cell phone to your body and it also reduces with distance. Keeping your phone near your bed can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to chronic fatigue, stress, and other health issues. The blue light that cell phones emit interferes with the creation of melatonin, which in turn inhibits our ability to fall asleep. To help you resist the need to use it, avoid putting your phone on your nightstand or bedside table.
