Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar’s blockbuster film “Robot 2.0” raised a big question in the minds of many people: Does the radiation emanating from cell phones and towers really harm birds and humans? The film explains that the radiation emitted from cell phone towers causes a decline in the bird population in India. Although the action and techniques featured in the film are entirely fictional, the idea of a “social message” about the effects of radiation has puzzled many. Let’s take a look at the scientific approach to find out how much truth is there in these claims.
What Is Cell Phone Radiation?
The film repeatedly mentions radiation emanating from cell phone towers. It is composed of “radiation” radio frequency (RF) waves. When your phone uses 3 G, 4 G or makes a call, it talks to cell towers using these RF waves.
RF waves are a type of electromagnetic (EM) waves. To understand these better, we can recall some basic physics. EM waves are generated by the vibration of electric and magnetic fields. These are a way of energy moving from one place to another.
Electromagnetic spectrum
EM waves are produced in both natural and artificial forms. The light itself is an EM wave. The EM spectrum helps us classify different EM waves by their frequency and wavelength.
Here the EM spectrum is classified according to the longest to shortest wavelength and the shortest to highest frequency:
- Radio waves: They have the longest wavelength, ranging from meters to kilometers.
- Microwave: The wavelength is a few centimeters. Your microwave oven uses them. When concentrated, they produce heat.
- Infrared waves: Used in TV remote controls.
- Visible light: This is the light we can see, with wavelengths between 350 and 700 nanometers.
Different colors have different wavelengths.
- UV (ultraviolet) rays: The frequency starts to rise here.
- X-rays: Frequency greater than UV rays.
- Gamma rays: They have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength.
Ionizing versus non-ionizing radiation
Electromagnetic waves that follow visible light (UV rays, X-rays and gamma rays) are considered ionizing radiation. They are so called because their high frequency and short wavelength enable them to break chemical bonds inside molecules.
Ionizing radiation is very harmful to living beings. It can enter our DNA, break chemical bonds and cause changes in cells. These changes can eventually lead to cancer. The higher the frequency of electromagnetic waves, the more dangerous they are. For example, radiation from nuclear materials is extremely dangerous due to its extremely high frequency and power.
On the other hand, electromagnetic waves that come before visible light (radio waves, micro waves, infrared) are called non-ionizing radiation. These types of waves do not have enough energy to break chemical bonds in molecules like ionizing radiation.
Is Non-Ionizing Radiation Harmful?
The biggest question for cell phones and cell towers is whether non-ionizing radiation is harmful to humans and animals.
- Scientific opinion: Scientists have not yet reached any final conclusions on this. The effects of prolonged exposure to high levels of non-ionizing radiation have been suggested in some studies. Other studies have found no harmful effects.
- Cancer risk: Experts generally agree that non-ionizing radiation cannot cause mutations or cancer, like ionizing radiation.
- Thermal effects: Scientists are studying whether non-ionizing radiation can be harmful in other ways as well. One known effect of this is heat. Just as a microwave oven cooks food by generating heat, extremely high-powered non-ionizing radiation focused on human tissues can cause burns.
Security limits for cell phones and towers
Because of the potential for heat, government agencies have set radiation limits for cell phones and cell phone towers. These limitations are intended to prevent thermal effects from causing burns.
For example, in the US the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has set a radiation limit of 1.6 watts per kilogram for cell phones. The phone should not radiate more than this limit. This level is much lower than the actual heat damage, making cell phone use much safer.
Cell Phone Use And Disease: What The Statistics Show
If cell phone radiation caused long-term damage, an increase in diseases could also be seen with increased cell phone use.
- Global cell phone usage: Over the past 20 to 30 years, the number of people using cell phones has increased drastically around the world.
- Disease rates: However, no major disease has experienced the same increase during this time. If we look at the charts of cancer cases worldwide between 1990 and 2016, no type of cancer has seen a huge increase comparable to the increase in cell phone use. The same is true for other diseases also. If cell phones were harmful, we would reflect this in disease statistics.
Lessons from other health risks
We can compare this with known relationships between environmental factors and diseases:
- Smoking and lung cancer: In Britain, lung cancer cases have fallen at a similar rate, with rates of smoking falling over the past 50 years. This clearly shows a direct link between smoking and lung cancer. Countries with high smoking rates, such as China, where more than 50% of men smoke, also have very high rates of lung cancer.
- UV radiation and skin cancer: Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer. This is because many people there have fair skin (often of British origin) and are exposed to a lot of the sun’s UV rays. Their skin is not adapted to strong sunlight. Additionally, the ozone hole is near Australia, causing even greater exposure to UV rays.
These examples show how obvious the relationship between the two is when an external factor actually causes a disease. We don’t see this clear link between cell phone use and widespread disease.
Reducing exposure to radiation
Although the chances of damage from cell phone radiation are very low, there are some easy steps you can take to reduce contact if you want:
- Keep distance: Don’t put your cell phone directly near your ear while talking. Even a short distance can reduce your contact. The closer the phone is to your body, the more radiation you can absorb.
- Conscious use: It’s not meant to promote consistent mobile phone use. Excessive use of smartphones can cause addiction and mental health problems. Use the phone only when needed, but avoid excessive use.
 The Real Reasons For The Decline In Bird Population
Mobile phone towers were wrongly attributed to the decline in bird populations in the film “2.0”. However, ornithologists (bird scientists) agree that there is no solid scientific evidence that mobile phone towers are the cause. This means that there are other important factors besides this.
The biggest reasons for the decline in bird populations worldwide include:
- Agriculture: The development of farming has led to the overuse of pesticides. These pesticides kill pests, which are the main food source for many birds. Due to the lack of insects, birds cannot feed properly, which reduces their numbers.
- Invasive species: New species introduced to an area may compete with, or even prey on, local birds for food or habitat.
- Urbanization: Natural habitats are eroded as cities grow, leaving birds with fewer places to live and find food.
- Deforestation: Cutting down forests destroys homes and sources of food important to many bird species.
- Climate change: Changes in weather patterns and temperatures affect bird habitats, migration routes, and food availability.
- Pollution: Air and water pollution can directly damage birds or their food sources. This is particularly true in many countries.
Nowhere in these major threats have cell phone towers been cited as the major cause of the decline in bird numbers. The film’s message was misleading and missed an opportunity to highlight real environmental issues. For example, it would have been scientifically accurate to blame excessive pesticide use. This could have encouraged viewers to support organic farming and reduce pesticide use, which would have actually increased bird populations.
In June 2018, for example, more than 200 scientists around the world called for a ban on a group of pesticides called neonicotinoids. Research has shown that these pesticides harm biodiversity and bird populations, a claim that has now been scientifically proven. You can read more about the decrease in global bird numbers and its causes on the Birdlife Data Zone website and learn from Yale Environment 360 how many birds from North America have disappeared.
Danger Of Misinformation
Spreading false information, especially about science, can be very dangerous.
- Measles outbreaks: Measles cases have recently resurfaced in Germany, for example. This disease was once completely eradicated from many Western European countries. However, without any scientific evidence, rumors spread that vaccination caused mental problems. When people stopped vaccinating their children, this preventable disease returned. You can know more about this through SBS News.
- Scams: Spreading fear can also lead to scams. If you search online for “Health Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation”, you may find websites that sell products claiming to protect you from radiation. These websites often take advantage of people’s fears. They can sell expensive pendants, such as the one priced at $108, whose claims have no scientific basis.
Understanding Science For A Secure Future
It is important to rely on scientific evidence rather than fear or misleading stories. Films like “Robot 2.0” can be entertaining, but their scientific claims to radiation warrant careful review.
The risks from mobile phone radiation are negligible, especially compared to serious environmental hazards such as widespread pesticide use. Focusing on accurate information helps us make better choices for our own and the planet’s health. Always promote scientific thinking and get information from reliable sources like National Cancer Institute.
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