Radiation from Cell

Phones: A Way To
Prevent Harm

Vineeth Garnepudi
February 26 2019

GT Independent Research
Abstract
 How many of you guys are worried about the dangers of cell phone radiation? Every day

millions of people use cell phones and keep them close to their bodies. However, there is a

dangerous component to this. Cell phones emit radiofrequency (RF) energy, a form of

non-ionizing energy. Even though this energy may not be powerful enough to biologically affect

humans, recently there have been studies that linked cell phone radiation to adverse health

effects. In one study, for example, it was shown that a Child's brain absorbs RF radiation at

higher levels than an adult. There are also studies that linked RF radiation to cancer in animal

models. Nowadays more kids are using cell phones and other devices that block radiation. The

use of cell phones has exploded in recent years. With improving technologies we need to be

more cautious about cell phones. The paper demonstrates that household material can

predominantly block cell phone radiation. The goal of this research paper is to understand

conditions that block the majority of radiation coming from our cell phones and to inform the

public about how to successfully block RF radiation.

Cell phones emit radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. Which is a type of radiation

where there is a transfer of energy by radio waves. RF radiation lies between 3 kHz to 300 GHz

(Burrel, 2018). RF Radiation is generally a weak radiation meaning it does not have the power to

break chemical bonds or ionization energy. Rf can be produced artificially and can occur

naturally. The sun, earth and the ionosphere all emit RF naturally in low level Rf fields. Many

devices emit RF artificially, such as microwaves, cellphones industrial heaters and medical

applications. Everyone is exposed to Rf radiation in their daily lives. Many commercial radio and

Tv broadcasting emit radiation and create Rf fields found in the environment. At home people
are exposed to RF radiation by microwaves, cell phones, wifi and bluetooth. Generally the RF

radiation emitted from household devices is low. The people who are at the highest risk of RF

radiation are people working near cell phone towers and broadcasting companies. However the

exposure of RF radiation decreases over distance. Exposure to RF radiation can heat biological

tissues and cause tissue damage.

To block RF radiation there are only a few methods. One of them is using metals. Metals

are a type of elements that do not allow beta particles from the radiation to go pass them (Shely

2018). The reason metals are effective in blocking radiation is it comes down to their chemical

structure and their physical properties. Nonmetals are malleable and are weaker, compared to

metals. Metals also have a distinct look. For blocking radiation nonmetals are ineffective. They

do not block any type of radiation. The radiation passes right through the material. Where in

metals, radiation is blocked. However different types of metals block radiation differently . Lead

and other heavy metals are the most effective in blocking the radiation. Most heavy metals are

dangerous to the body and have adverse health effects. “There is one type of element that is not

dangerous to the body and can block the radiation” (Vispute, 2018). Aluminum foil is safe and

can block RF radiation. This is because the aluminum foil can absorb beta particles emitted from

the cell phone. Aluminum is perfect in blocking radiation for the reason of its thickness. There is

no specific thickness for aluminum foil needed to block radiation. Lead is ineffective in blocking

radiation due to its weight and health effects. Other metals are similar. For example iron silver

and nickel or effective in blocking radiation, however, are either expensive or heavy. Where

again aluminum foil is perfect.

 “Non-metals do nothing in blocking radiation because of their chemical composition”. (

Hudson, 2018) This is concerning because cell phone cases are most of the time made out of

plastic. Therefore there is no radiation being blocked and the radiation being emitted is being

absorbed by the body. Nonmetals are all around of us. Most of our clothing is a nonmetal,

therefore, doesn't block any radiation. We are getting exposed to radiation when our phones are

in our pockets and in our hands.

“The thickness of metals does not affect the effectiveness of blocking the

radiation”(Hudson, 2018). The thickness can vary however the radiation will still be blocked in

metals. However in nonmetals, the same applies. The nonmetal can be inches thick but the

radiation will still not be blocked. Aluminum specifically does not require a specific thickness to

block radiation. It can be centimeters and still block radiation. This is all because of its chemical

composition. Aluminum high dense nucleus allows it to block radiation by absorbing radiation.

One of the most effective ways to block cell phone radiation is simply keeping the device

emitting the radiation as far away as possible. “At around half foot the exposure decreases

significantly”(Thompson, 2019). This is because the radiation emitted from cell phones have

shorter wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths mean the radiation goes a shorter distance, but it is

stronger than longer wavelengths. An example of a long wavelength is radiation emitted from

radio towers. Another reason for keeping the device as far away as possible is radiation is

contaminated and not spread like a virus. Therefore when a cell phone is on someone they are

being exposed from radiation. The radiation from the cell phone gets weaker over distance.

Therefore to limit radiation it is best to get a device as far away as possible. Everyone that has a

cell phone keeps it on them all of time. When one doesn't have their cell phone they get nervous
or start frantically looking around for it. Keeping the cell phone away can improve your health

and also help you focus on tasks instead of getting distracted. Another huge concern is how

whenever someone is making a phone call or on facetime, the cell phone is placed right next to

their brain. There have been studies that show the brain absorbs radiation at higher levels and

children brains absorb the most radiation. This is alarming since nowadays every kid has a cell

phone in their hand.

Another solution to this serious problem of cell phone radiation is to go to cell phone

companies. The cell phone companies follow lenient regulations on cell phone radiation and

primary focus is making the most money as possible. The regulations regarding cell phone

radiation need to be changed every year. Since cell phones are becoming powerful every year.

The biggest concern now is the increase in Bluetooth devices and 5g. 5g is the latest type of cell

phone radiation and is more powerful than previous ones such as LTE 3g and 4g.(Baes) This is

concerning because the technology is improving by the day and the cell phone companies are

doing nothing about it. Many of the regulations on cell phones were made numerous years ago

when cell phones weren't as powerful and could only make and receive calls. However now cell

phones act as computers, calculators, cameras, and scanners. There is far more radiation being

emitted now from cell phones than ever. Ten years when the first iPhone got released it only had

a few technologies it could call text and a couple of other things. Now phones are computers

slimmed down. However, with improvements in technologies coming. There is less research on

the effects the cell phone has on the body. There needs to be precaution while using cell phones.

We must limit our use and keep cell phones as far as possible. The scientist is still doing research

on the effects of cell phone radiation and with new technologies emerging making cell phones
more powerful it is better to be safe than sorry. Newer cell phones have faster processors

wireless charging and stronger signals. All of these increase the radiation being emitted.

The dangers of RF radiation is prevalent to be concerned about RF radiation. Recently

when researchers at the National Toxicology program tested male and female mice by exposing

them to Rf radiation, which is emitted from our cell phones and other household devices. After

the research was concluded, it seemed that only male rats developed ​schwannomas of the heart.

Schwannomas are a benign tumor from tissues. Even though Schwannomas is most of the time

not dangerous it is still something to be worried about. The findings however ​ ​ “confirm that RF

radiation exposure has biological effects”. The FDA also requested a ten year research of

radiation exposure to rats​, and the results were interesting. The rats were exposed to Rf radiation

for 9 hours a day and the findings were elevated rates of lymphoma and other cancers. (Schmidt)

Many states have also seen the danger in RF radiation. The state of california has issued

warnings about cell phone radiation. The state did this to help reduce the exposure of cell phones

to people. The state also gave ways to reduce the exposure. The reason why the State has done

this is, is to help people who are who are worried about the health risks, such as brain tumors,

lowered sperm counts and the effects it has one brain and sleep. However there has been no

evidence that radiation from cell phones cause cancer. The CDC has also said that there is no

scientific evidence that the radiation emitted from cell phones actually cause cancer. However

they do recommend to keep cell phones away from the body and keep the cell phone away from

you when sleeping. In one study rats were exposed to RF radiation and some of the male rats

developed non benign tumors.

 The components that increase the RF radiation from cell phones are bluetooth devices,

NFC and the use of WiFi. When bluetooth devices are connected to a cell phone the RF radiation

being emitted increases significantly. This is because bluetooth signals is a extremely powerful

and radiate short wavelengths which increase the radiation being emitted. A new technology that

increases radiation is NFC. NFC is short for Near Field Communication. NFC allows cell phones

exchanged information in a short distance. This technology is helpful and makes sharing data

convient. However it exposes us to high levels of radiation due to its power. The more power the

higher levels of radiation that are emitted. This is because of its wavelengths the shorter

wavelengths don't go as far as longer wavelengths however can share more data. The third

component that increases RF radiation is the use of WiFi or data. When a phone is using data to

access the internet the RF radiation being emitted increases significantly.

After determining aluminum is effective at blocking a majority of radiation. The focus

shifts towards creating a device that incorporates aluminum to successfully block radiation.

“Thin films are a new technologies that are being incorporated into smart phone screens and

other aspects” (Dr. RD Vispute, 2019). A thin film is a extremely thin substance that is deposited

by using different techniques on a substrate. The thin film can range of micrometers to

centimeters.

“There are many ways to deposit thin films on substrate, this includes thermal

evaporation, sputtering and magnetron sputtering”(Dr.Gougousi,2018). In thermal evaporation a

solid that wants to be deposited on a substrate is heated inside a vacuum sealed chamber. The

heat applied to the material causes it to evaporate and the substrate gets coated by the desired

material. The next method to deposit thin films is sputtering, in sputtering the target material is
bombarded with high energy particles and then is deposited on a substrate. The substrate can

various types of materials, a silicon wafer or a solar panel is just to name a few. Magnetron

supperting is a little more complicated. In magnetron supperting it uses magnets to trap electrons

over a negatively charged material. And not allowing it to bombarded the substrate. Another

effective method to create thin films is the method BMTG. BMTG uses microscopes vacuum. A

technique is USPLD. Ultrashort pulsed laser deposition is a physical vapor deposition process

that is in a vacuum. USPLD is a great method to grow thin films and layers of complex materials

in thin films. Deposition can be used at room temperature. The thin films can be achieved at

high energy plasma. The surface texture can also be controlled, by selecting proper set of process

parameter. Thin films can be used in many fields and can be applied to other technologies. In

spuerting deposition gas ions of a plasma is deposited on a substrate.

Incorporating thin films with aluminum deposited will be highly successful in blocking

radiation and keeping the aesthetic of cell phones(Ng Kwan, 2018). The thin film will keep the

aesthetic of the cell phone due to its ability to be thin and lightweight. The goal of this device is

to be lightweight as well as preventing people from getting exposed to the radiation that is

emitted from cell phones. Alumunium is the only metal which is lightweight and effective at

blocking the radiation. Lead and other metals can be deposited on the thin film, the only problem

is the health concerns and the heavy metals weight.

There has been a lot of research on RF radiation and the harm it has to smartphone users.

California has already taken action to prevent people to be exposed to radiation. However more

needs to be done. There is needs to be new regulations on how powerful cell phone companies

can make their cell phones. However people can take matters in their own hands by keeping their
smartphones away from them. Thin films and aluminum can also successfully reduce the

radiation being emitted. Aluminum and other metals block the RF radiation however aluminum

is more practical because of its lightweight and accessibility to it.

 Work Cited

Badavi, F. F., Adams, D. O., & Wilson, J. W. (2010). Validity of the aluminum equivalent
approximation in space radiation shielding. In ​40th International Conference on Environmental
Systems, ICES 2010

Baes, F. (n.d.). Hps.org. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from

https://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q11137.html

Burrell. (2010, November 21). How to measure Radio Frequency (RF) radiation In your home.
Retrieved October 19, 2018, from
https://www.electricsense.com/1263/how-to-measure-electromagnetic-radiation-in-your-home
/

Clinic, C. C. (2016, January 08). Retrieved October 31, 2018, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ_t39kAdi8

Dr. Gougousi personal interview

Gandhi, O. P., Morgan, L. L., Salles, A. A., Han, Y., Herberman, R. B., & Davis, D. L. (2011).
Exposure Limits: The underestimation of absorbed cell phone radiation, especially in children.
Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine,​ ​31(​ 1), 34-51. doi:10.3109/15368378.2011.62282

Hudson, Guy personal interview

Iyer, R. (2016). Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of
Rochefortia Sw. (Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: E7720.
https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720. Effects of 5G Radiation on the Human Body, 6(3), 1-2.
doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e7720.figure2f

Ng Kwan Personal Interview

Schmidt, C. (2018, March 29). New Studies Link Cell Phone Radiation with Cancer. Retrieved
November 1, 2018, from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-studies-link-cell-phone-radiation-with-cancer/

Sheley, G. (2018, June 20). Does Aluminum Foil Protect Against EMF Radiation? Retrieved
February 6, 2019, from https://emfacademy.com/aluminum-foil-emf-radiation/

Thompson Richard personal Interview