Problems of Modern Technology: Cell Phones Changing Society Negatively

Abstract

Cell phones are the way of communication between many different people. Cell phones release microwaves, because they are needed for transmitting information. Since the discovery of Microwaves people have been researching them; discovering new ways to use them. Microwaves are also the used with communications between the Earth and satellites and space probes. Because of the use of microwaves in cell phones, scientists realized that radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer. This though is not proven because scientists need to do more work in the study of how the radiation can affect your brain. Microwaves could potentially have the risk of harming people with prolonged use.

Key Words: Microwaves, Cell Phones, Transmitting

Problems of Modern Technology: Cell Phones Changing Society Negatively

Cell phones, the way of communication between people; 4 billion people in the world today use cell phones, this with half of the world still developing. Cell phones are in great demand even though they potentially release radiation directly into the user's head and brain with use. Can this radiation affect a person's brain and health? Microwaves are the waves emitted by cell phones that help them connect with cell phone towers to transmit information. These waves could be potentially brain damaging, and could affect the health and wellness of society's younger generations.

Cell phones and many other devices that people use on a day to day basis give off microwaves (Williams, 2009). Microwaves are used for transmitting information from one place to another because they can penetrate through haze, rain, snow, clouds, and smoke (Netting, 2007). Yet, occasionally the strength of the waves is lessened due to hard rains and snow. Microwaves are created when high frequency radio waves are made by various types of transmitters. In cell phones for example the transmitter is the transmitter chip and an antenna (Williams, 2009). Microwaves are very useful, but have not been researched enough to see the potential danger that could occur from using them in the long term.

Microwaves were discovered in 1886 by Henrich Hertz, but there was no practical applications until suitable generators were invented, which include satellites and other transmitting advices. Hertz discovered microwaves by managing to create sparks across different lengths of coils, with electromagnetic waves. Microwaves are actually micro, they are centimeters long, similar to the size of a small bumble bee: although they can not be seen by the naked eye. Microwave transmitters are receivers which produce beams where the angle and amount of beam that leaves depends on the diameter of the transmitter. These are extrememly useful because they can be directed similarly to a search light or a light house, by rotating the satellite (Williams, 2011).

Since the discovery of microwaves people have been applying their effectiveness to everyday life. Eventually, RADAR (radiation detection and ranging) became one of the most commonly use transmitters for microwaves. RADARs help to guide airplanes and ships to safe landings, and can detect the speed of and objective that passes it. There are different types of microwaves transmitters such as Klystrons and magnetrons. Klystrons are used typically in radio relay systems, and heating. Magnetrons are typically used for radar systems and also used in many cell phones (Williams, 2011). Radar technology is one of the many different advantages that people receive from using microwaves.

Microwaves are also the used with communications between the Earth and satellites and space probes. The satellites that are communicated with are typically 36,000 km above the surface of the Earth. The advantage to the microwaves and use in space is that it has been able to use a technique called the MASER (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) technique. This has been very useful in astronomy and long distance communication. MASER helped astronomers to discover interstellar clouds and find sources of radiation in space. The amount of other radiation in space has been leading scientists to continue to prove the "big-bang theory" (Williams, 2011). These waves have helped with many new discoveries; with much more research will continue to aid scientists to make new discoveries.

Because of the use of microwaves in cell phones, scientists realized that radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The organization now lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead. Yet, while other scientists found enough evidence to categorize personal exposure as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." (Brown & Dr. Black, 2011). Cell phones radiation could possibly cause cancer, according to some studies; if this is true, changing how much society continues to depend on them.

Andrew Koob, a researcher from Purdue University, has found some evidence of increase in glioma and acoustic neuroma brain cancer for mobile phone users, but have not been able to draw conclusions for other types of cancers. Glioma is a type of tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cords. This type of cancer arises from glial cells (Koob, 2009). Koob has done research showing the different types of brain