Headset Danger

I accidentally came across an article that proposed the fact that the regular headsets we have been using all these while to prevent Electromagnetic Radiations (EMR) or in lay man's term, radiation is actually not serving its supposedly purpose.. I was shocked at first to read about this piece of information and decided to do some article finding on it. The following is what I've found:

• The regular headsets that we use over long conversations, or while we are driving, or simply just listening to music in the subway or on the go, NOT only DOES NOT guarantee decrease health risk from EMR but might actually INCREASE it!

• EMR are usually emitted from the antenna of a mobile phone and placing them anywhere near your body parts will cause harm to those area. Take for instance, important blood producing tissues located at the pelvic bones are affected when mobile phones are placed in the pants pocket around the waist. Another example is, a lot of people tend to put their mobile phones in between their legs while they are driving. Studies shows that, this act could actually decrease the sperm count up to 30 %!

• It has also been found that headsets themselves serves as an antenna that directly channels these EMR right into your ear canal. This may actually raise the amount of radiation channelled directly into the head by more than 300 %!!

Knowing these facts, there are still ways to protect yourself from these radiations:

• It has been found that the further away the phone is being placed, even if its just 18 cm away from the body, decreases the radiation up to 70 %!

• If mobile phones have to be placed in your pocket, placed it with the key pad facing inside because, most mobile phone antenna's are placed at the back of the mobile phone.

• Instead of using the regular wired headset, get a air tube headset. It has the ability to reduce up to 98 % of the mobile phone radiation being transmitted.

Some supporting facts for what I've been saying so far:

• "The U.K. Department of Health decided not to endorse hands-free kits to cut radiation exposure. In its consumer brochure on Mobile Phones and Health, issued in 2000, the department waffled and told consumers that 'the level of effectiveness of hands-free kits to reduce SAR is still uncertain.'” (Microwave News, January/February 2002)

• "With regards the advice that hands-free kits be used, there are conflicting results. Some studies suggest that radiation exposure, if it exists, could actually be higher because the ear piece is closer to the brain... Advice on the use of hands-free kits is being revised and national guidelines are due to be published later this year." - Martin Whild, Assistant Information Officer for the National Radiological Protection Board which advises both the public and government on the risks of radiation. (Evening Times London, England April 30, 2004)

Last note,

If you actually even think that bluetooth headset is safer, you are most definitely wrong!! Reasons being:

• Instead of using a wire to transmit signals, bluetooth headset replaces the wire with a transmitter and receiver, operating with low power at a frequency level of between 900 MHz to 2.4 GHz.

Too bizarre an info to digest? Well, lets give an example to relate it then.. Microwave ovens operate at 2.4 GHz and the maximum frequencies for wireless products compliant with Bluetooth and 3G specifications are actually 2.5 GHz and 2.17 GHz, respectively.

Still feel sad you don't look cool cause you don't own a cool Bluetooth set? Think not.. =D