The Negative Impact of Mobile Phones on Health

The Negative Impact of Mobile Phones on Health

By: Herdina Suci Arta

Chemistry Education Student

Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta

Mobile phones have now become an inseparable part of our daily lives. Today the mobile phone has almost become a primary need after clothing, food and shelter. Besides being a means of communication, a mobile phone can also help us complete various activities easily. Many things can be done with a mobile phone alone, such as shopping, transferring money, communicating over long distances with ease, and, for students, helping with their learning activities.

Alongside their advantages and sophistication, there are some things that can harm or affect the health of the human body. These include reduced male fertility, the health of pregnant women and their foetuses, and the risk of cancer. A mobile phone is a wireless communication device that uses radio waves as its medium. Several studies have been carried out in several countries. For example, a study at the University of Arizona stated that mobile phones are often thought to cause brain tumours because they are believed to transmit electromagnetic waves. Although, honestly, there is still no definite proof to this day.

Several earlier studies related to mobile phones have been carried out, among them the study "The Effects of Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Wave Radiation on Human Health". This study found that the radiation from mobile phones is almost the same as the electromagnetic radiation effects produced by aircraft radar. Mobile phones emit radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation, called non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, which has no potential to cause ionisation in body cells or tissue. Experts hold that this radiation is not harmful and does not cause serious effects. Nevertheless, various research results show quite serious negative impacts from the radio waves of mobile phones entering the human body.

Scientists in Cleveland, Mumbai and New Orleans conducted research and concluded that the more often a mobile phone is used, the lower the sperm count becomes. This research, presented at the annual convention of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, found  that mobile phone users had only 21% of sperm with normal shape. Meanwhile, those who did not use mobile phones had a much larger proportion of sperm with normal shape.

In addition, according to Anonim (2009), the effect of radiation on the reproductive organs can cause infertility. Most often the effects of mobile phone radiation occur in men. The reason is that the testes are more sensitive than the ovum. Mobile phone radiation will damage sperm cells, so that the sperm are damaged and cannot fertilise. If the body is continuously exposed, it will cause infertility. The main cause is that if a phone is used for too long it will certainly become hot, and that heat is radiation.

Using a mobile phone too often can also have a bad effect on the health of the foetus. Pregnant women should not keep a mobile phone in a pocket near the abdomen because its radiation can endanger the foetus. Pregnant women are also advised not to use mobile phones much in order to minimise the risk of the radiation emitted by phones. If a foetus is exposed to radiation from a mobile phone, it can affect the baby's brain development, cause hyperactivity, and disturb memory.

            In general, the bad effects of mobile phone radiation on health are still only suspected and need further research to be confirmed. However, precautionary measures remain important to reduce the risks that mobile phone radiation may cause. The steps to minimise exposure to mobile phone radiation are to use it only when necessary, keep the phone away from the body when not in use, and not let children play with mobile phones for too long.

https://matabanua.co.id/2022/12/08/dampak-negatif-handphone-terhadap-kesehatan/