Children more prone to adverse effects of wireless devices

Washington, Jan 19 (UNI) Children are more prone to adverse effects of prolonged use of wireless communication such as mobile phones as they absorb radio frequency (RF) at a higher rate than adults.

Exposure wavelength is closer to the whole-body resonance frequency for shorter individuals. The current generation of children will also experience a longer period of RF field exposure from mobile phone use than adults, because they will most likely start using them at an early age.

The report by National Research Council, US notes that several surveys have shown a steep increase in mobile phone ownership among children, but virtually no relevant studies of human populations at present examine health effects in this population, Science Daily reported.

Although it is unknown whether children are more susceptible to RF exposure, they may be at increased risk because of their developing organ and tissue systems.

It is well known that wireless Communication devices rapid use has also simultaneously led to significant research into potential health effects from high exposure to radio frequency energy emitted by these devices.

The National Research Council report, requested by the US Food and Drug Administration, identifies research that could further extend understanding of long-term low exposure to these devices.

The report also suggests examination and research of the evolving types of antennas for hand-held wireless communication devices for the amount of RF energy they deliver to different parts of the body so the data would be available for use in future studies, the committee said.

Studies to understand the effects of RF energy irradiation from cell phone antennas on the human head have already been conducted.

However, for most of these studies, the research has assumed that cell phones have pull-out linear rod antennas and are held against a person's ear. Many newer telephones use built-in antennas for which additional SAR data are needed, the report says. Also, wireless technology is now used in laptop computers and hand-held texting and Web-surfing devices, in which the antennas are close to other parts of the body.

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