IS TECHNOLOGYHAZARDOUS TO YOURHEALTH?BY: SARA PERCIVAL

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The rise oftechnologyis allowing

us to dothingsfaster,

easier, andmore

efficientlythan everbefore…

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But thisnewtechnologyis alsobringingwith it abevy ofnew

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health risks

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A number of newphysical and mental

health concerns havesurfaced over the last

few years… Healthconcerns which are

directly related to theuse of some of our

favourite tech devices

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ELECTROPOLLUTION

Electropollution introducesbiologically toxic electrical

frequencies into theenvironment.

These frequencies, calledelectromagnetic frequencies or

EMFs, interfere with thechemistry of the human body.EMF exposure has been linked

to serious health issues likeAlzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s

disease, cardiovasculardisease, infertility, insomnia,

cancer…. And the list goes on…

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WI-FIWireless Internet routers or Wi-Fi

modems use electromagnetic radiation tosend their signals to your device. This

level of radiation is considered byscientists and health experts as

potentially dangerous.

In fact,the typical home or office wireless

networks transmitradio signals in the same general

frequency rangethat microwaves use to cook food1

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The explosion of iPhones,Blackberries, WiFi, and even

remote-control toys hasfundamentally changed ourelectrical environment. You

can’t see it, you can’t taste it,you can’t touch it; but the airall around us is increasinglyfilled with electromagnetic

radiation that is penetratingour bodies and disrupting our

body chemistry –perhaps forever.2

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Cell phones,laptops and

tabletsall emit Radio

Frequency(RF)

radiationemissions

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As long as your cellphone is on, it emits

radiationintermittently, even

when you’re notactually making a call.Keeping a cell phone inyour pocket, wearing it

on a belt clip, or justhaving it on your

person, is giving thatarea of your bodynearly continuous

radiation exposure.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONHAS CLASSIFIED CELL PHONE

RADIATION AS A CLASS BCARCINOGEN

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Studies have determined that reproductive health isaffected by cell phone radiation… and the same goesfor laptops. Researchers in Argentina conducted astudy to look at how holding a laptop on the lap (i.e.near the reproductive organs) affects sperm. Theirresults showed damage to the DNA of sperm cells,suggesting the harmful nature of laptop radiation onmale reproductive capacity.3

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According to researchers fromthe Yale School of Medicine,

cell phone radiation exposureduring pregnancy impacts fetal

brain development and maycause hyperactivity.

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The Swedish National Institute for Working Life found that peopleusing cell phones for 2,000 hours - a total most of us could easily

rack up over the years - had a 240 percent increased risk formalignant brain tumors on the side of the head where they usually

held their phone.4

Kids absorb 50 percent more electropollution than adults. One study

finds that a cell phone call lasting only two minutes can cause brain

hyperactivity that lasts up to an hour in children. Because their skulls

are smaller and thinner than adults, EMFs penetrate much deeper into

children's brains.5

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Research shows that radiation from cell phones and Wi-Fi has beenlinked to diminished reaction time in children, decreased motor

function, increased distraction, hyperactivity and inability tofocus on complex and long-term tasks.6

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There are also a number of physical ailmentsand mental health issues newly associated

with the use of modern technology…

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We’ve long heard ofprolonged use of

computer keyboardsand mouses

contributing to carpaltunnel syndrome,

but how aboutTEXT NECK?

Considered an“overuse syndrome”,

text neck results fromexcessive strain on

the spine from lookingin a downward

position at hand helddevices such as cellphones and tablets.

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COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME (CVS) describes a series of eyeand vision related problems that occur with prolongedcomputer use. The most common symptoms associated withCVS are eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision & dry eyes.

Imag

e: R

ob M

urra

yMany mental health

issues have been linkedto prolonged use of

technology.Researchers atMichigan State

University found thatusing multiple forms ofmedia at the same time

(such as texting whilesurfing the web) may be

linked to symptoms ofanxiety and

depression. Socialmedia has also been

linked to higher rates ofstress, depression,

anxiety, neuroticism,and loneliness among

its users. Media use hasalso been linked to

insomnia andaddiction.

Another newly coined condition isCYBERCHONDRIA

It is a specific form of nosophobia(fear of having a disease) which

develops when the suffererresearches a disease on the internet,

and then imagines that they havethe symptoms of the disease(s). It

can contribute to high levels of stressand anxiety.

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And then there’s the dangerous ways we lettechnology distract us…

•In 2011, at least 23% ofUS auto collisionsinvolved cell phones-that’s 1.3 millioncrashes!•34% of Americans admitto texting while driving•52% admit to talking ona cell phone while driving•1 in 5 drivers confess tosurfing the web whiledriving7

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But there are ways to protect yourself…..

•Text, don’t talk whenever possible•Use speaker mode to keep yourphone as far away from your head aspossible•Turn off your cell when you’re notusing it and shut off your wirelessrouter at night•Don’t carry your cell in your pocketor cradle your laptop in your lap•Avoid using your cell in tight spaces(buses, elevators, trains) where ithas to work harder to get a signal outthrough metal•Buy a phone with a low SAR (specificabsorption rate) number•Keep your distance! Wi-Fi radiationdrops off significantly with distance•Try to limit your media use and takea break if you begin to feel discomfort•Never text/talk/surf while driving!

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WORKS CITED:1) ELECTROPOLLUTION AND THE DECLINE IN HEALTH OF A NATIONhttp://www.justproveit.net/content/electropollution-and-decline-health-nation

2)WI-FI HEALTH DANGERS & RADIATION HEALTH EFFECTShttp://www.safespaceprotection.com/electrostress-from-wireless-routers.aspx

3) LAPTOP RADIATION & YOUR SPERMhttp://www.electricsense.com/940/laptop-radiation-and-your-sperm

4 & 5) ARE CELL PHONES & WI-FI HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH?http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hyla-cass-md/cell-phone-and-wifi-dange_b_758167.html

6) CHILDREN’S HEALTH EXPERT PANEL: CELL PHONES & WI-FI- ARECHILDREN, FETUSES & FERTILITY AT RISK?http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/21/cell-phone-wifi-radiation.aspx

7) TEXTING & DRIVING STATISTICShttp://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/