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

Professor of MedicineGovt. Medical College Hospital

ThiruvananthapuramEmail: draswini@in.com

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MOBILE PHONESMOBILE PHONES

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Cell PhonesCell Phones

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3,000,000,000 users world

wide

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% of Population Using Mobiles% of Population Using Mobiles

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IndiaIndia

In India, mobile phones overtook

fixed phones in 2005

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

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Situation in KeralaSituation in Kerala

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WHO Concern of Mobile HazardsWHO Concern of Mobile Hazards

Because of Electro -Magnetic Radiations

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Mobiles = Microwave OvensMobiles = Microwave Ovens

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Is it really dangerous?

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

due to their electromagnetic radiation

Thermal Effects

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Thermal Effect of Cell PhonesThermal Effect of Cell Phones

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Specific Absorption RateSpecific 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-raysX-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

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Hiroshima

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

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Electromagnetic RadiationElectromagnetic Radiation

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3 sources of radiation

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How is the radiation produced by a cell phone

transmitted?

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US Analog

3 Watts

CDMAMobile

1 Watts

GSM Mobile

2 Watts

Power Output of Mobile Phones

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Power Output of Base stations Mobile phones

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ICNIRP GuidelineICNIRP Guideline

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ICNRP Reference LevelsICNRP Reference Levels

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World Health OrganizationWorld 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

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Mobile phones open up the Blood Brain Barrier

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Children are more prone to radiation

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PregnancyPregnancyEMR may affect the fetus

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Can moblies cause brain

tumors?

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Studies on Brain Cancer & MobilesStudies on Brain Cancer & Mobiles

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Theory behind brain tumorsTheory behind brain tumors

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Risk of Acoustic NeuromaRisk of Acoustic Neuroma

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Salivary Gland TumorsSalivary Gland Tumors

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

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Radiation from cell phones can interact

with electronic devices

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Mobile phones are banned in majority of air planes

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Mobile Phone & DefibrillatorsMobile Phone & Defibrillators

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Cell phones may interfere

with pacemakers

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Driving, while using a mobile

phone is dangerous

Indirect Effects

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Cell Phones Cause Traffic Accidents

Risk of accidents ↑ by 4 times

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New Delhi

Mumbai

Kerala

Andhra Ineffective due to lack of

visible enforcement

Banning cell phones while

driving

Only 4 states

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Mayor of London, Boris Johnson

Mobile cycling

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Crossing Street while talking on mobile phone

SuicidalSuicidal

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Mobile Traps

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Mobile Abuse

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Mobile Terror

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE USE OF MOBILESSAFE USE OF MOBILES

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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

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Use speaker phone or headset

Step 3

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Step 5Step 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

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Step 6

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7. Never use a cell phone when a

conventional phone is available

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MobilMobil8. Mobile phones prohibited near

ICU and OT

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9. The practice of installing

antennas needs to be regulated

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10. The SAR value for each hand set

should be provided by the manufacturers

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HEALTH HAZARDS OF HEALTH HAZARDS OF COMPUTER USECOMPUTER USE

Computer cannot kill?

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All Are AvoidableAll Are Avoidable

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Eye Strain

Also called Computer

Vision Syndrome 68

Eye Strain- SymptomsEye Strain- Symptoms

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Any of the symptoms given below?

Position your monitor at right angles to the

window

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Install an anti-glare screen71

Flickering Monitor72

Adjust the brightness

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

Eye Irritation

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Hand ProblemsHand Problems

Repetitive Strain Injury 75

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Ergonomic KeyboardErgonomic Keyboard

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Use a mouse pad with wrist restUse a mouse pad with wrist rest

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Wrong Keyboard PositionWrong 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 PositionCorrect 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 lightlyHold mouse loosely and click lightly

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Neck and Back Strain

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Eyes in line with Top of The MonitorEyes in line with Top of The Monitor

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A computer writing platform A computer writing platform 

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Preferably chairs should be on wheels, have

lumbar support, tilt adjustment,

and have arms

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Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome

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

Computer Ergonomics

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Be sure you have enough desk space for work papers and

other equipment

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intersperse other tasks with your computer work

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Move around

Take frequent short breaks

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Computer Related Anxiety DisorderComputer Related Anxiety Disorder

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Pornographic Sites

CLICK HERE

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Computer in the

living room

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Computer in the

Study room

Laptop Cause Sterility?

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Laptop Catching Fire

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Laptop Cooler Pad 97

Or Keep A Fire Extinguisher ReadyOr Keep A Fire Extinguisher Ready

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ConclusionsConclusions

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