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The Side effects of Mobile phone on human health

Ambrose Odinaka Njepu

Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering

Abstract—this literature sets out to answer the overarching question of the adverse

effects of the use of mobile phones. The science community has not reached a definite

conclusion on this topic. Several literatures came up with hypothesis and worked to

prove or disprove this hypothesis. Various researches, cohort studies, epidemiological

and case-control studies were carried out to reach a unanimous conclusion but its

indefinite status-quo still remains. This paper contains the opinions, arguments,

conclusions and analysis of works done by various authors.

I. INTRODUCTION

Since the advent of the first mobile phone in 1981 by a Swedish Nordic Mobile Telephone

System company, mobile telephony has remained one of the fastest growing technologies in

the world. The first mobile phone was an analogue cellular gadget (1G) that used the

Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) technology. In 1991, the Second Generation

(2G) was introduced; a technology that marked the ground-breaking transition from analogue

to Digital Cellular phones. The 2G mobile phone technology employs the Global System for

Mobile Communication (GSM) technology. The third in the series is the Third Generation

(3G) mobile technology that makes use of the Code Division Multiple Access and Time

Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology operating at the frequencies of 800 and

1900MHz respectively [1]. Another mobile technology in the series is the Digital Enhanced

Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) which is a low power cordless mobile phone with a

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desktop base station, largely used within small vicinities such as residential homes and

offices [1]. The latest technological series is the Fourth Generation (4G) smart phones that

use the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Worldwide Interoperability for

Microwave Access (WiMAX)) technology whose additional features include ultra-high

internet speed, video calls, live streaming of online videos [1]. This is the current technology

that introduced mobile data browsing in current use. Today, MPs have replaced virtually all

telephone communication technologies because of their portability. The market penetration of

smart phones is growing exponentially due to its integrated telephone and personal computer

functions in in a hand-held portable gadget.

Despite the promises and convenience of MPs, the technology has also come with its side

effects that have seen a rising concern in the scientific community about its probable

consequences on human health. MPs emit radiofrequency (RF) within the range of 0.3-

300MHz and microwave (MW) whose frequency range is 300-300,000MHz [1]. The

classification of MPs RF-EMF as a group 2B carcinogen (which means possible cause of

cancer to human health) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) sparked

a lot of debates in the scientific community and other concerned groups before it was re-

classified as a group 2A carcinogen meaning it is probably carcinogenic. Some of the cited

effects associated with MPs RF-EMF exposure include brain tumour (Glioma and Acoustic

Neuroma (AN)), cancer, sperm damage in male infertility, cardiovascular effects, cognitive

effects, headaches and fatigues. The underlying hypothesis upon which the recommended

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) safety standard was set is “within the safe SAR standard,

there are no adverse effect due to RF-EMF exposure except that due to RF heating”. The

oppositions to this statement include the IARC reports, Swedish cohort studies, Japan cohort

studies, epidemiological reports and case-control studies reports. The rest of this paper is laid

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out as follows: Section II discusses mobile telephony, section III contains the effects of

mobile phones and section IV is the discussion and conclusion section.

II. MOBILE TELEPHONY

MP EMF is made of RF and MW frequencies in the range of 0.3MHz-300MHz and 300MHz

and 300GHz respectively. They are attenuated by obstacles, which attenuates their intensity

over a long distance and obstruction. The primary reason for the distribution of base stations

is to pick attenuated MP EMF, modulate it (step up) and re-transmit it in space. The SAR is a

measure of the amount of RF-EMF absorbed by the human body and its recommended

standard value is set to 2W/kg by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation

Protection (ICNIRP) on the assumption that RF below this value will not cause any heating

effect and so no adverse health implications. Children absorbs more RF radiation (RFR) than

adults, this is because of the body water of children, increased body permittivity, conductivity

and thin skull [2].

III. EFFECTS OF MOBILE PHONE’S USE TO HUMAN HEALTH

A. Brain tumour and Cancer

Brain tumour is simply a mass of abnormal cell growth in the brain. It is either malignant

(that is cancerous) or benign; non-cancerous. The malignant and benign tumour shares

similar symptoms which make it difficult to differentiate them with symptoms only, but

Computer tomography (CT) or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tools are used to figure

out the differences. The Malignant tumour spreads from one cell to its neighbouring cells

while the benign do not.

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Glioma and Acoustic neuroma (AN) are the two common brain tumours associated with MP

usage. The uncertainty surrounding the health implication of MP usage triggered researches

on the causal relationship between the use of MPs and brain tumours in the current literatures

in recent years [1] [3]- [7]. The work of Khurana et al. in [3] follows a scientific method of

inquiry in the sense that it sets out to answer a question: “Is there epidemiologic evidence for

an association between long-term cell-phone usage and the risk of developing a brain

tumour?" Subsequently, the hypothesis is set in the affirmative to confirm that long-term

exposure to MPs causes brain tumour. Their research adopts a meta-analysis approach

involving 11 epidemiologic studies spanning over a period of ten years. First, the studies had

to be peer-reviewed and the participants had to have an exposure of a period not less than 10

years. Their findings confirmed a 50% increase in risk of developing brain tumours with use

of MPs on the same side of the brain. Their conclusion is valid based on the premises of their

arguments that MPs emit radio and microwave frequencies that have positive correlation with

development of brain tumour. Therefore, their conclusion is valid based on the logic of their

arguments.

A divergent argument to the findings in [3] and [8] is the work of the authors of [4], [6]

which found a negative correlation between development of brain tumours and the use of

MPs. In a case-control study employing structured questionnaire carried out in different

United States academic medical institutions between 1994 and 1998, Joshua and his co-

researchers in [6] studied the causal relationship between exposure to MPs and development

of brain tumours in a sample population of 469 people as the case group with brain cancer

and 422 people forming the matched control group without brain cancer. Their findings show

that the use of MPs does not have a causal relationship with the development of brain cancer.

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B. Central Nervous System

The Central Nervous system is those parts that receives information, interpretes and

coordinate the entire body. It is made up of the brain and spinal cord which is believed to

have the bulk of the nervous system. The health implications of MP usage are discussed

below:

(1) Cognitive Effect: Intellectual activities such as thinking, reasoning, reacting, memorising

and remembering are vital for the development of a fully fit individual. Many research

findings in the current literature are inclusive; some show a positive correlation between MP

EMF and human health while majority of them show a negative correlation [9]- [13].

The work of Abramson et al. follows a scientific method of investigation in the sense that it

sets out to answer an implied question on the effects of MPs on cognitive performance of

human beings [9]. This is followed by a hypothesis stated in the affirmative that there is a

positive correlation between exposure to RF-EMF and the deterioration of human cognitive

performance. Their findings confirmed that MP RF radiations in deed have negative effects to

cognitive performance of human beings. The methodology employed is a structured

questionnaire administered to 317 participants and a linear regression model tool used to

monitor and record cognitive parameters such as response time and accuracy. Results from

these experiments show a consistent trend of poor working memory, poor accuracy, short

response time and even shorter response time associated with associative learning. This

conclusion is valid based on the premise of their argument as stated in the affirmative that

exposure to radio frequency affects cognitive performance of the brain as well as the large

sample size that allows generalizability of the results. Croft and his co-researches in their

studies set out to answer the question of the effect of the exposure to a low-level RF-EMF on

the human neural system. The hypothesis is affirmative; it states that there is a positive

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correlation between the exposure to a low-level RF EMF and the human neural system [13].

A structured questionnaire was administered to the 120 participants before and after the test.

The experiment was a double blinded, active and sham exposure on the left and right

hemisphere for 30 minutes each. The questionnaire performances, event-related potentials

and the resting alpha power were monitored and recorded with the electroencephalography

(EEG). EEG results and non-parametric analysis showed that the argument has a positive

correlation between RF exposure and increased of alpha power especially at the rear end on

the same side of the head is valid.

(2) Neurological Effects: The neurones are the basic components of the central nervous

system which are tasked with the role of receiving, processing and transmitting signals. The

possibility of MPs usage having negative health implications is undecided. Studies in [19]

shows a negative correlation between RF exposure and the human neurological system while

works in [14]-[18] showed a negative effect, positive correlation, of RF exposure to the

human neurological system. The scientific community has a mixed opinion about the RF

effects on human neurological system with some works showing a positive relationship [19]

while others showing a negative relationship between neuronal performance of the brain and

exposure to RF EMF [14]-[18].

Franzellitti et al. in [15] performed an experimental study to determine the effects of RF to

human DNA. In their multi-objective study, they also set out to answer the implied question:

If RF has harmful effects to the DNA and then can the exposed cell regain its default state

before exposure after removal of the RF exposure? This study set to disprove the hypothesis

that there are no negative effects of high frequency (HF) EMF on the human neural system.

The case studies are exposed to un-modulated RF, amplitude modulated GSM signals and

Sham. The Alkaline comet assay tool was used to evaluate the extent of DNA damage and

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recovery during and after exposure. They observed increase in comet paramaters in the

trophoblast cell (which is a measure of DNA damage) after 16-24h of exposure to HF-EMF.

Also, the alkaline comet assay recorded no health implications of exposure to un-modulated

GSM signals. This experiment shows that prolonged exposure to HF-EMF causes DNA

damage in the trophoblast cell. They also show that the integrity of damage DNA can be

recovered within 2 hours of non-exposure. Thus, the argument that the use of MP has an

adverse effect on human health is valid and consistent with the results provided by their

experiment.

Different findings are observed in different researches, Verschaeve and Maes in [19] found

no causal effect of RF on DNA alteration. Their study affirms positively that there are no

adverse effects of RF exposure to human health. They conducted an in vivo and in vitro

investigation of the effect of RF exposure (2450MHz) to both the somatic and eukaryotic

cell. They observed both positive and negative effects on the same frequency, so they

ascribed the negative genetic effect to be caused by the thermal effect of RF. They observed

no genetic effect on these cells under the ICNIRP recommended SAR safety standard. This

argument is not logically valid, because it’s claim cannot justify the negative effect of RF

ascribed to the thermal effect of RF.

C. Male infertility

Male infertility is measured in terms of sperm count, sperm concentration, viability and

motility [12]. A healthy sperm makes a healthy pregnancy, foetus and a healthy child but a

poor sperm can produce unhealthy babies and spontaneous miscarriage or abortion [12].

Sperm quality depreciates as a man grows older [12] and in most cases poor sperm quality is

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the root cause of male infertility. Thermal effect of RF-EMF increases the scrotum

temperature which has a negative effect on the sperm in terms of destroying the sperm [12].

Substantive work has been done in the current literature on the causal relationship between

male infertility and the use of MPs [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]. In the cited references, the

authors found a positive correlation between male infertility and exposure to RF; Exposure to

RF promotes the production of excess oxidative stress which destroys the DNA. Agarwal and

his colleagues in [21] investigate the effects of MP use on semen quality. They established a

strong negative correlation between sperm quality with MP usage. Wright and her co-

researchers investigate the primary cause of male infertility in [24]. Their results show that

DNA fragmentation caused by oxidative stress (ROS) is the primary cause of male infertility

[24]. However a study in [20] complemented the drawbacks of [21] by doing a case-control

study in an infertile clinic for men. Results from this study is consistent with the results of the

studies carried out in [21] and [24] which found decreased sperm motility, viability and

DNA damage caused by exposure to RF. However, Verschaeve and his co-researchers in

[19] argue the contrary that RF exposure does not have any negative effect on sperm quality

provided it is below the recommended safe level. This conclusion supports the underlying

arguments that there is no adverse effect of RF exposure to human health within the

recommended safe level, brought forward by ICNIRP.

D. Cardiovascular Effects

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of mortality in the developed

world with the highest mortality rate in Australia, accounting for 34% and 39% death rate in

male and female in 2007 respectively [25]. Various researchers have established a positive

correlation between MPs RF-EMF and CVD [25], [26]. Leijdekkers et al in [25] is a case

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report on the functionality of the prototype already designed. This literature sets out to

answer the question, ’does the use of MPs promotes CVDs?’ His experiment project

disproves the hypothesis that the use of MPs causes CVDs. This literature is a written record

of the positive use of MP technology to monitor, rehabilitate and control deaths caused by

CVDs. The prototype project shows the positive applications of MPs to monitor, record and

rehabilitate a CVD patient. It automatically monitors the changes in heart rate in relation to

the environment, prescribes medical advice and raises alarm to the concerned medical

centres.

The argument from these literatures [2], [27] is there exist a positive correlation between the

use of MPs and CVDs such as increased blood pressure, reduced heart rate. In [27], Jauchem

studies affirms the hypothesis of that there are no adverse health effects associated with the

use of mobile phones. Experimental exposure to the MP RF showed that majority of the

participant did not experience any negative effects due to MP RF exposure except for afew

who experienced a lower heart rate and disordered heart rate rhythm. The argument of no

health implications on the cardiovascular system and human health is not valid based on the

premises of the literature. This is because afew participants experienced blood pressure and

heart beat changes.

E. Others

Jauchem showed that the other effects of radiofrequency exposure are headaches, hormonal

changes, hearing defects in [27]. Others include dysaesthesia, dizziness in [17].

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IV. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Section II of this paper focuses on mobile telephony, its basic working principle and the

technological advancement from the analogue cellular (1G) phone to the latest 4G WiMAX

based smart phones. It also contains RF penetration in space and in obstacle between base

stations and the mobile phones. Section III contains specialised discussions on the health

implications of MP RF-EMF on human health. Literature surveys, opinions and theories are

discussed in five categories namely brain tumour, central nervous system, male infertility,

cardiovascular and other effects on human health. Scholars, cohort studies, case-control

studies, Epidemiological and Interphone studies. The bone of contention here is whether MP

RF-EMF has an adverse health effect below or within the safety standard. This topic has

encountered several proponent and opponent in this discourse. This paper analysed the

research methodologies undertaken whether it is scientific accepted or not, we also checked

for the validity and soundness of the conclusions of various papers. Although, this topic is

still is still under debate in scientific communities, based on the facts presented by papers

reviewed I add my voice to the proponents that cellular RF exposure has adverse health

implications even below the recommended safety standard

REFERENCES

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der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany, vol. 65, no. 6, pp. 378-392,

2003.

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[2] S. Braune, C. Wrocklage, J. Raczek, T. Gailus and C. H. Lüc, "Resting blood pressure

increase during exposure to a radio-frequency electromagnetic field," THE LANCET •

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[3] V. G. Khurana, C. Teo, M. Kundi, L. Hardell and M. Carlberg, "Cell phones and brain

tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data," Surgical Neurology , vol.

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[4] INTERPHONE Study Group and others, "Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile

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[5] I. Peter, T. Robert, H. Elizabeth, W. Timothy, S. William, S. Robert, F. Howard, B.

Peter, L. Jay and L. Martha, "Cellular-telephone use and brain tumors," New England

Journal of Medicine, vol. 344, no. 2, pp. 79-86, January 2001.

[6] M. Joshua, M. Mark, S. Thompson, S. Roy, S. Steven, D. McRee, N. Alfred and W.

Ernst, "Handheld cellular telephone use and risk of brain cancer," American Medical

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use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk for malignant brain tumours

diagnosed in 1997–2003," Int Arch Occup Environ Health, vol. 79, p. 630–639, January

2006.

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[9] M. Abramson, G. Benke, D. Christina, I. Inyang, M. Sim, R. Wolfe and R. Croft,

"Mobile telephone use is associated with changes in cognitive function in young

adolescents," Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 30, no. 8, pp. 678--686, 2009.

[10] A. Fragopoulou, P. Miltiadous, A. Stamatakis, F. Stylianopoulou, S. Koussoulakos and

L. Margaritis, "Whole body exposure with GSM 900MHz affects spatial memory in

mice," Pathophysiology, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 179--187, 2010.

[11] K. C. Jeff, R. W. Chelsea, P. Steel and C. Scialfa, "A meta-analysis of the effects of cell

phones on driver performance," {Accident Analysis \& Prevention, vol. 40, no. 4, pp.

1282--1293, 2008.

[12] R. Tova, "Driving performance while using cell phones: An observational study,"

Journal of Safety Research, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 207--212, 2006.

[13] R. Croft, D. Hamblin, J. Spong, A. Wood, R. McKenzie and S. C, "The effect of mobile

phone electromagnetic fields on the alpha rhythm of human electroencephalogram,"

Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 1-10, 2008.

[14] T. Shazia, T. Gyorgy, S. Brahim, A. V. S. Pires, S. Pascal, A.-C. Delia, L. Philippe, P.

Sylviane and d. S. Rene, "Effects of 3G cell phone exposure on the structure and

function of the human cytochrome P450 reductase," Bioelectrochemistry, vol. 111, pp.

62-69, 2016.

[15] F. Silvia, V. Paola, C. Nicola, B. Carla, C. Andrea, B. Ferdinando and F. Elena,

"Transient DNA damage induced by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1.8

GHz) in the human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cell line evaluated with the alkaline comet

assay," Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesi,

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vol. 683, no. 1, pp. 35-42, 2010.

[16] I. Atilla, G. Ahmet, A. Ferah, K. Suat, I. Mustafa, A. Omer and O. Suleyman, "Ginkgo

biloba prevents mobile phone-induced oxidative stress in rat brain," Clinica chimica

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[17] W. Roderick and H. Bruce, "Diseases of modern living: neurological changes associated

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361, no. 1, pp. 13-16, 2004.

[18] J. Olle, "Disturbance of the immune system by electromagnetic fields—A potentially

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disease and impairment," Pathophysiology, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 157-177, 2009.

[19] L. Verschaeve and A. Maes, "Genetic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of

radiofrequency field," Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 410, no. 2,

pp. 141-165, 1998.

[20] A. Agarwal, R. D. Nisarg, K. Makker, A. Varghese, R. Mouradi, E. Sabanegh and R.

Sharma, "Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular

phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study," Fertility and sterility, vol.

92, no. 4, pp. 1318-1325, 2009.

[21] A. Agarwal, F. Deepinder, K. S. Rakesh, G. Ranga and J. Li, "Effect of cell phone usage

on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational study," Fertility

and sterility, vol. 89, no. 1, pp. 124-128, 2008.

[22] Z. Guowei, Y. Huan, C. Qing, L. Kaijun, L. Xi, S. Lei, Z. Niya, W. Zhi, Z. Peng and W.

X. a. others, "Effects of cell phone use on semen parameters: Results from the

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MARHCS cohort study in Chongqing, China," Environment international, vol. 91, pp.

116-121, 2016.

[23] A. Anders, G. Adele, K. Leeka, S. David and S. Anthony, "Epidemiology of health

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[24] C. Wright, S. Milne and H. Leeson "Sperm DNA damage caused by oxidative stress:

modifiable clinical, lifestyle and nutritional factors in male infertility," Reproductive

biomedicine online, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 684-703, 2014.

[25] L. Peter and G. Valerie, "Personal heart monitoring and rehabilitation system using

smart phones," in 2006 International Conference on Mobile Business, Sidney, Australia,

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[26] C. Onder and H. Seyma, "Effect of electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on

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[27] J. R. Jauchem, "Effects of low-level radio-frequency (3 kHz to 300 GHz) energy on

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29, 2008.

APPENDIX

PROFILE OF SOME LEADING SCHOLARS

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Dr. Martin Röösli: Martin Röösli is a professor in Environmental Epidemiology at

Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich; Swiss Federal Institute of

Technology. She has authored 183 refereed articles, cited 4188 times and an h-index of 36.

Dr. Lennart Hardell: L. Hardell is a Medical Doctor at the department of Oncology, örebro

University Hospital, Sweden. At the moment he has 307 publications, 10045 citations and an

h-index of. He is an expert in Dioxins, Gliobastomia multiforme, Glioblastoma, Neuro-

oncology, Brain tumours, Astrocytoma, Glioma, Case-control studies, Risk factors and Bio

electromagnetics. Presently, He is the most cited researcher and most read author from his

department.

Dr. Vini Gautam Khurana: Vini Khurana (MBBS, BSc (Med), PhD, FRACS) is a brain and

spine Surgeon, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Medicolegal Expert, Telehealth Specialist

Provider. He is the director of CNS Neurosurgery and a partner at neurological surgery,

Victoria, Melbourne Australia. He has authored and co-authored several memorable

publications in his field of expertise.

Dr. George E. Muscat: 8 publications, 12 citations and an h-factor of 2. George E. Muscat is

a Professorial Research fellow at the Institute of the molecular biology, of the University of

Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. His areas of specialty are molecular biology, cell biology

and Cancer research.

Dr. Michael Abramson: He is a renowned professor of Clinical Epidemiology, at Monash

University, Australia. He is an expert in radiofrequency energy, epidemiology, clinical

research, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and air pollution. As a researcher

and author, he has authored and co-authored over 550 publications, he has about 15036

citations and an h-index of 63.

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Dr. Rodney J Croft: R.J. Croft is a PhD researcher at the school of Psychology, University of

Wollongong, Australia. He is a well renowned researcher with 145 publications with 4431

citations and an h-index of 40. He is a partner with the brain sciences institute, Swinburne

University, member of the Australian centre for Radiofrequency bio effects research,

Melbourne, Australia.

Dr. Silvia Franzellitti: has a PhD in Environmental Sciences and he is also a senior assistant

lecturer at the department of biological, geological and environmental sciences at the

University of Bologna, Italy. Also, he is with the “Interdepartmental centre for

Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna”. He is skilled in gene expression,

biotechnology, genetics, marine biology and biotechnology, physiology and environmental

sciences. He has 46 publications, 833 citations and an h-index of 16.

Verschaeve Luc: He is the Prof. Laboratory coordinator at the scientific institute of Public

health, Brussel area, Belgium. His areas of specialty are genetics, cancer research,

phytochemistry, ethnobotany, plant protection and animal health. As a researcher, he has

about 210 publications, has been cited 3304 times and has an h-index of 35.

Ashok Agarwal: Ashok Agarwal, Ph.D., HCLD is a professor at Lerner College of Medicine,

Cleveland, USA. He is also a Director of the Clinical Andrology Centre and Fertility

laboratory, Avon, and the Director of Research at the American Centre for Reproductive

Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He has 1650 publications, 26309 citations, and h-

index of 101. He is a well prominent researcher and lead executive in his community of

practice. His speciality includes oxidative stress, DNA integrity and apoptosis in male and

female reproductive system.

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Peter Leijdekkers: Peter Leijdekkers, Ph.D. and a senior lecturer at the faculty of

Engineering, University of Technology, Sidney, Australia. He has about 56 publications, 547

citations and an h-index of 13.

James R. Jauchem: James R. Jauchem, Ph.D, is the principal director and expert-witness

consultant at Forensic pathophysiology, LLC, San Antonio Texas. He has over 40 years

research experience in Pathophysiology. His recent works are on conducted electrical weapon

and other non-lethal weapon. Previously, he was a RF radiation and altitude decompression

sickness expert with the US Air Force research laboratory, NASA Johnspace centre and the

USAF school of Aerospace medicine. James also knows a lot about cardiovascular, heart rate,

blood pressure and other related issues. He has 230 research publications, 1753 citations and

an h-index of 25.