Yes, cell phones are one of the greatest innovations of the 21st century which is a point everyone knows. Literally, we all own a cell phone, so that point is but an understatement. When they first came about, they were mostly for making and receiving calls while mobile. But advancement in cellphone technology has provided some functions that far surpass the ones offered by older cordless phones.
In 2016, an estimated 62.9% of the world’s population owned a mobile phone and 2019 sees the number of people using cell phones passing the 5 billion mark. Every day, we all use phones, though a lot of users actually do not know how they work.
How Cell Phones Work
To understand whether or not cell phones emit emf radiation when they're not use, you need to understand how a phone itself works.
Cell phones basically work by sending and receiving signals to, and from nearby cell phone towers. When talking on mobile phones, the voice signals are converted to electrical signals which are then in turn converted to radio waves by an antenna. Thereafter, the antenna transmits the waves back to the cell towers. The cell towers passes on the incoming radio waves to the destination cell phone which is also received via an antenna that works to convert the radio waves back to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then converted back into sound that can be understood by the receiver. Radio waves travel through air at the speed of light and actually transport digitized voice or data in the form of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, called the electromagnetic field (EMF). The waves are transmitted in all directions and can be absorbed and reflected by surrounding objects before they reach the cell tower. As long as a cellphone is on and active it is constantly sending and receiving signals even when not in use.
Still, one point to note about cell phone radiation when the phone is not in use, is that the level of radiation drastically reduces. This is as opposed to the level of radiation you may record when you're operating the device, or when you're charging and using it at the same time. Moreover, radiation differs based on your definition of “When not in use”. If it's just in airplane mode or it's simply placed somewhere, radiation is slight, but still occuring in intense spikes (as hinted above).
On the other hand, if you switch off your cell phone, there's no radiation to be released. The basis is simple in this regard. You're wholly preventing the primary operation of your cell phone, which basically hovers around communication of information. So, when you prevent that which causes radio wave, you're fully preventing radiation in this discussed form. Though, as the whole purpose of a cell phone is to be used, and make proceedings whether professional or casual easier, the idea of a switched off phone, is a bit tricky.
So, What is the Radiation it Emits?
Radios are actually radiofrequency energy which is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Essentially, radiation is simply the emission (release) or transmission of energy in form of waves or particles through space or through a material medium. That said, there are two categories of electromagnetic radiation, based on the wavelength and frequency: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The kind of radiation seen cell phones are non-ionizing, which is basically what you and every other living organism (i.e plants that we eat) absorb daily.
How To Prevent Cell Phone Radiation
Many suggestions have been made on key ways to actively prevent radiofrequency radiation from your smartphones. Since it is very unlikely that most people will opt to stop cell phone use, these suggestions center on better ways to use phones to achieve the goal of reduced absorption. They include:
Increase the distance between your cell phone any your body both when not in use. Avoid keeping them in pockets of bras except when on airplane mode. Bags, back packs and briefcases are better options
Turn your phone off more often. When your phone is turned off or on airplane mode it isn’t actively sending and receiving signals.
Consider EMF shielding devices. These are devices that actively work to block or deflect radiations away from the head. Most popular of these devices come in the form of radiation-blocking cell phone cases, other options include deflective pendants. If you are in the market for any of these devices, be sure to check out the options available at Orgone Energy, such as the Quantum Orgone pendants and the Geocleanse (EMF and earth radiation harmonizer).
While commuting, try to avoid using your devices. This is because as you move through locations, your cell phone works to establish connections with the cell towers in a new area and this causes varying spikes in radiofrequency radiation production.
Avoid charging your cell phone close to you or using it while it charges. Higher levels of radio frequency radiations are produced during charging.
Answer calls on speaker phone or with a wired headset, this helps to avoid putting the head in close proximity to the cell phone during phone calls which are actually times of increase radiofrequency emissions.
Consider the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) level of the cellphone you intend to purchase. SAR is a measure of the rate of radiofrequency radiation absorption by the body. The SAR level of a cell phone indicates how much radiation it produces and in turn this determines the rate of absorption.
Conclusion
Cell phone radiation is absolutely normal. We've been collecting it for decades now, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't understand how it works and how we can prevent it, if we don't like its presence.
