Cell phone technology was first developed in the 1980’s, but cell phones became common in the early 1990’s (Firestone 24). As time progressed so did the cell phone’s technology. Cell phones became digital in the early 1990’s; making them more affordable and small enough to comfortably carry anywhere (Firestone 24). A few years later the cell phone underwent another change. In 1996 cell phones began to change again with a new technology allowing cell phones to access the Internet (Firestone 25). These smart phones became instantly popular. By the early 2000’s smart phones were common. Users could check e-mails and browse the web with applications made for cell phones (Firestone 25).
“Cell phone signals can be broadcast over wide areas. Each broad cast area is called a cell. That is how cell phones got their names” (Firestone 23). These cell phone signals are carried out through radio frequencies. Cell phones use two radio frequencies at the same time, meaning they are duplex devices (Firestone 24). A cell phone would only be able to work like a walkie-talkie if they were not duplex devices. Since cell phones are duplex devices, they use two radio frequencies. One transmits sound and the other receives it, allowing two people to talk at the same time (Firestone 24).
Two of the main parts of a cell phone are the capacitor and the battery. A cell phone’s capacitor moves and stores electricity at a reliable rate (Cunningham 15). Without it a cell phone could not function properly. The capacitor is usually made out of tantalum (Cunningham 14). A cell phone’s battery usually is a lithium ion battery. Lithium ion batteries wear out and are sensitive, even dangerous when exposed to heat (Cunningham 16).
Cell phones can also cause physical health problems such as cancer. Mobile phones, cordless phones, and Wi-Fi (wireless internet connection and wireless networking) emit the same harmful microwaves (Mobile Phone Safety). Microwaves have been proven to have negative effects on the brain. It is proven that sub thermal power densities form pulse- modulated and continuous RF EMF’s including those from cell phones have the potential to open blood- brain barriers (Mobile Phones & Brain Damage). EMF stands for electromagnetic fields. EMF affects cells causing mutation (Natterson 115). The world population still has many cell phone users. A fourth of the world population is currently exposing themselves to microwaves from cell phones (Mobile Phones and Brain Damage). Many countries are starting to understand the dangers that cell phones posses. “A German study found a threefold higher frequency of cancer among people living in vicinity (400 meters) of a GSM base station compared to people living further away from the antenna” (Mobile Phone Safety). Spain also found evidence of cardiovascular problems, visual disorders, in people living near cell phone towers (Mobile Phones & Brain Damage). There has been much research done on microwaves and how they affect the brain. Researchers found evidence for brain cell damage in rats exposed for 2 hours to microwaves from cell phones. The damage was still seen 50 days after exposure (Mobile Phones & Brain Damage). “Rats exposed to mobile phones for two hours showed damages that persisted 50 days later. Even after all these tests and research cell phones are still affecting a great percentage of the world population. But current exposure standards are still highly inadequate to protect the public” (Mobile Phones & Brain Damage). When using...