Shalini / CNN-IBN

TimePublished on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 10:03 in Health section

TagsTags: Electromagnetic Radiation, Cellphones , New Delhi

New Delhi: Your mobile phone may have become your favourite tech essential, but a word of caution — it could leave you irritable, sleepless or with violent mood swings, says a recent study.

Experts say there is a simple reason for this.

Says ENT surgeon, Dr Ameet Kishore, "Cellphones, I-pods or microwaves all emit EMR or electromagnetic radiation and research shows that there is both a thermal and an ionizing effect from the commonly used appliances, which could have a potential harmful effect on you."

But some doctors feel that this potential harmful effect is not always real.

Says neurologist, Dr P N Renjen, "Overusing a particular thing can always have adverse effects, whether it's a cell phone or an I-pod, but it's not clear from the study that symptoms like irritability and mood swings are caused because of talking too much or because of the gadget."

While some doctors feel the risk is more for professionals whose work involves radiation, others feel that it's also got to do with an individual's electro sensitivity.

"Some people may be more sensitive to electromagnetic fields than others…that might effect them more. Also, Each type of human tissue has certain power to absorb frequency level and if that level exceeds, it could affect human health to a great extent," says Dr Kishore.

So, are some gadgets then, more harmful? Yes, and it depends on the proximity of the use. For example, talking for hours on you cell phone can effect the tissues of your brain, but using a microwave for a few seconds might not affect you so much.

Although there's been no study yet that shows that using a hands free is better, but if you want to play safe, experts suggest that you should not use a cell phone or any other electronic gadget for more than a few hours at a time.

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