Study Reveals Cell Phone Radiation Affects Brain Activity

Chicago Product Liability Attorney

Illinois Personal Injury Attorney

Human brain
Human brain and scull in x-ray

Despite claims to the contrary by the cell phone industry, a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) revealed that there is, in fact, be a link between cell phone use and brain activity.

In conducting its study, researchers from NIH examined 47 participants who underwent two brain scans one scan while a cell phone connected to a muted call was attached to the right ear and another scan while the phone was turned off. The scans were conducted using an imaging technique called positron emission tomography (PET scan). Neither the participants nor the researchers were aware of whether the cell phones were turned on or off while the scan was conducted.

The study found that when the phone was turned on, the glucose metabolism (or energy conversion rate) in the section of the brain closest to the phone’s antenna was approximately 7% higher than when the cell phone was turned off.

Essentially a cell phone acts like a radio when talking on a cell phone, voices and sounds are transmitted through the antenna as radio frequency radiation. Depending on how close the antenna is placed to a person’s head, anywhere between 20% and 60% of the radiation transmitted by the cell phone is transferred to the user’s brain.

Because of the potential injuries associated with exposure to radiation, it is advisable to take certain precautions when using a cell phone in order to decrease exposure to harmful radio frequencies.

  • Use your cell phone on speakerphone as much as possible.
  • Do not use your cell phone as an alarm clock. Cell phones can emit radio frequency radiation even when you are not talking on the phone.
  • Text, instead of calling, since texting keeps the phone farther away from your head.
  • Use a radiation-blocking cell phone case.

Howard Ankin of Ankin Law (www.ankinlaw.com) handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Mr. Ankin can be reached at (312) 600-0000 and howard@ankinlaw.com.