technology and health risks
Post on 16-Jul-2015
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IS TECHNOLOGYHAZARDOUS TO YOURHEALTH?BY: SARA PERCIVAL
Image: Susan Sermoneta (via Flickr)
The rise oftechnologyis allowing
us to dothingsfaster,
easier, andmore
efficientlythan everbefore…
Image: Mervi Eskelinen (via flickr)
But thisnewtechnologyis alsobringingwith it abevy ofnew
Image: postcity.com
health risks
Image: Marsmettn Tallahassee (via Flickr)
A number of newphysical and mental
health concerns havesurfaced over the last
few years… Healthconcerns which are
directly related to theuse of some of our
favourite tech devices
Image: stefalex.net
Image: Lar (via Flickr)
ELECTROPOLLUTION
Electropollution introducesbiologically toxic electrical
frequencies into theenvironment.
These frequencies, calledelectromagnetic frequencies or
EMFs, interfere with thechemistry of the human body.EMF exposure has been linked
to serious health issues likeAlzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s
disease, cardiovasculardisease, infertility, insomnia,
cancer…. And the list goes on…
Image: Gunes T (via Flickr)
WI-FIWireless Internet routers or Wi-Fi
modems use electromagnetic radiation tosend their signals to your device. This
level of radiation is considered byscientists and health experts as
potentially dangerous.
In fact,the typical home or office wireless
networks transmitradio signals in the same general
frequency rangethat microwaves use to cook food1
Image: prupert (via Flickr)
The explosion of iPhones,Blackberries, WiFi, and even
remote-control toys hasfundamentally changed ourelectrical environment. You
can’t see it, you can’t taste it,you can’t touch it; but the airall around us is increasinglyfilled with electromagnetic
radiation that is penetratingour bodies and disrupting our
body chemistry –perhaps forever.2
Image: Stuart Anthony (via Flickr)
Image: Benjamin Deutsch (via Flickr)
Cell phones,laptops and
tabletsall emit Radio
Frequency(RF)
radiationemissions
Image: Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones (via Flickr)
As long as your cellphone is on, it emits
radiationintermittently, even
when you’re notactually making a call.Keeping a cell phone inyour pocket, wearing it
on a belt clip, or justhaving it on your
person, is giving thatarea of your bodynearly continuous
radiation exposure.
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONHAS CLASSIFIED CELL PHONE
RADIATION AS A CLASS BCARCINOGEN
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Studies have determined that reproductive health isaffected by cell phone radiation… and the same goesfor laptops. Researchers in Argentina conducted astudy to look at how holding a laptop on the lap (i.e.near the reproductive organs) affects sperm. Theirresults showed damage to the DNA of sperm cells,suggesting the harmful nature of laptop radiation onmale reproductive capacity.3
Image: Place / Getty
According to researchers fromthe Yale School of Medicine,
cell phone radiation exposureduring pregnancy impacts fetal
brain development and maycause hyperactivity.
Image: Paul Fitzgerald (via Flickr)
The Swedish National Institute for Working Life found that peopleusing cell phones for 2,000 hours - a total most of us could easily
rack up over the years - had a 240 percent increased risk formalignant brain tumors on the side of the head where they usually
held their phone.4
Kids absorb 50 percent more electropollution than adults. One study
finds that a cell phone call lasting only two minutes can cause brain
hyperactivity that lasts up to an hour in children. Because their skulls
are smaller and thinner than adults, EMFs penetrate much deeper into
children's brains.5
Image: Paul Fitzgerald (via Flickr)
Research shows that radiation from cell phones and Wi-Fi has beenlinked to diminished reaction time in children, decreased motor
function, increased distraction, hyperactivity and inability tofocus on complex and long-term tasks.6
Image: Stefan Klauke (via Flickr)
There are also a number of physical ailmentsand mental health issues newly associated
with the use of modern technology…
Image: Kamyar Adl (via Flickr)
We’ve long heard ofprolonged use of
computer keyboardsand mouses
contributing to carpaltunnel syndrome,
but how aboutTEXT NECK?
Considered an“overuse syndrome”,
text neck results fromexcessive strain on
the spine from lookingin a downward
position at hand helddevices such as cellphones and tablets.
Image: Attila Acs (via Flickr)
COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME (CVS) describes a series of eyeand vision related problems that occur with prolongedcomputer use. The most common symptoms associated withCVS are eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision & dry eyes.
Imag
e: R
ob M
urra
yMany mental health
issues have been linkedto prolonged use of
technology.Researchers atMichigan State
University found thatusing multiple forms ofmedia at the same time
(such as texting whilesurfing the web) may be
linked to symptoms ofanxiety and
depression. Socialmedia has also been
linked to higher rates ofstress, depression,
anxiety, neuroticism,and loneliness among
its users. Media use hasalso been linked to
insomnia andaddiction.
Another newly coined condition isCYBERCHONDRIA
It is a specific form of nosophobia(fear of having a disease) which
develops when the suffererresearches a disease on the internet,
and then imagines that they havethe symptoms of the disease(s). It
can contribute to high levels of stressand anxiety.
Image: Juhan Sonin (via Flickr)
Image: Jason Weaver (via Flickr)
And then there’s the dangerous ways we lettechnology distract us…
•In 2011, at least 23% ofUS auto collisionsinvolved cell phones-that’s 1.3 millioncrashes!•34% of Americans admitto texting while driving•52% admit to talking ona cell phone while driving•1 in 5 drivers confess tosurfing the web whiledriving7
Image: Marsmettn Tallahassee (via Flickr)
But there are ways to protect yourself…..
•Text, don’t talk whenever possible•Use speaker mode to keep yourphone as far away from your head aspossible•Turn off your cell when you’re notusing it and shut off your wirelessrouter at night•Don’t carry your cell in your pocketor cradle your laptop in your lap•Avoid using your cell in tight spaces(buses, elevators, trains) where ithas to work harder to get a signal outthrough metal•Buy a phone with a low SAR (specificabsorption rate) number•Keep your distance! Wi-Fi radiationdrops off significantly with distance•Try to limit your media use and takea break if you begin to feel discomfort•Never text/talk/surf while driving!
Image: Barry Kuts (via Flickr)
WORKS CITED:1) ELECTROPOLLUTION AND THE DECLINE IN HEALTH OF A NATIONhttp://www.justproveit.net/content/electropollution-and-decline-health-nation
2)WI-FI HEALTH DANGERS & RADIATION HEALTH EFFECTShttp://www.safespaceprotection.com/electrostress-from-wireless-routers.aspx
3) LAPTOP RADIATION & YOUR SPERMhttp://www.electricsense.com/940/laptop-radiation-and-your-sperm
4 & 5) ARE CELL PHONES & WI-FI HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH?http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hyla-cass-md/cell-phone-and-wifi-dange_b_758167.html
6) CHILDREN’S HEALTH EXPERT PANEL: CELL PHONES & WI-FI- ARECHILDREN, FETUSES & FERTILITY AT RISK?http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/21/cell-phone-wifi-radiation.aspx
7) TEXTING & DRIVING STATISTICShttp://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/
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