Radiation from Technology – Something to Reckon with

Recently, we came across Dr. Sonal Gupta and requested her to spread awareness about radiations from technology in this digital age. Dr. Sonal Gupta is a senior neurosurgeon at Max Healthcare, Pitampura and a mother of a daughter, who is a part of this digital era. While consulting patients at Max Pitampura, she clearly admits that as much as technology is a boon, it is a bane as well. She mentors a lot of patients on how radiation is harmful to them and their families and proclaims that it is a personal choice to fall for the temptations of radiation or steer clear while minimizing their effects. Today is World Health Day. We at A Journalist Reveals thought that it would be the right time to create awareness about harmful radiations from technology. Excerpts from the interview:

What is the effect of radiation on human beings?

Radiation can be harmful to humans. Due to radiation, cells may stop functioning or may not be able to reproduce causing infertility or may multiply out of control causing tumors (Cancer). It also causes radiation sickness, an ailment with various symptoms depending on the type of radiation a person was exposed to and on the size of the dose received. Radiation sickness can be fatal when high doses of radiation are involved.

What exactly is radiation? And what are their sources?

Radiation is defined as energy traveling/radiating in the space. Radiations are of two types- ionizing and non-ionizing. Ionizing radiations i.e. X-rays and gamma rays are used in healthcare setups and only excessive exposure can cause tissue damage and may be carcinogenic. Non-ionizing rays are electromagnetic (EM) rays emitted from mobile phones, cell towers, microwaves and UV rays from natural sources. Our modern world is creating an electromagnetic soup filled with electrical pulses, radio frequencies, computer screens, wireless signals, as well as personal devices such as cell phones and gadgets that are emitting damaging radiation.

Hybrid and electric cars emit extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic rays, which can cause cancers to the occupants of these cars. So, car manufacturers should have set guidelines for the manufacture of these cars, so that emission of EM radiation is reduced to a minimum.

National toxicology programme did an extensive study on rats and have shown a clear evidence of cell phone causing brain tumor and adrenal tumor. Some evidence to support the higher occurrence of other cancers like lymphoma, skin and pancreatic cancer have also been seen. There is a strong evidence that these rays cause allergies, cancers, reduce in the efficacy of drugs (tamoxifen- the key drug used to treat breast cancer) and in long run fragmentation of DNA causing genetic defects.

What are the symptoms of harmful radiation?

Daily headaches, chronic fatigue, insomnia, stress, nausea, tinnitus, etc, are the day to day symptoms in patients with excessive exposure to EM radiation. Studies have shown that EMR have a measurable effect and are not just psychosomatic. The only way to reduce these negative effects is to make some major societal changes, such as letting children under the age of 16 (who may be more sensitive to EMFs, according to research) use cell phones only for emergency calls. Special precautions for pregnant women and young children are also suggested. All electrical/magnetic gadgets should be manufactured with an aim to reduce the emission of radiation. Even in adults, usage of these gadgets should be reduced to a minimum. Modern man is drowning in a sea of manmade energy. It is time something is done about it.

Max Healthcare, Pitampura is a Multi-Speciality Centre located in the heart of Delhi at Netaji Subhash Place. This is a unique hospital wherein a lot of awareness initiatives are taken up so that patients can nip problems in the bud and take necessary preventive actions. Feel free to call us at 011-4735 1844 for any such information that you may need and our doctors will be happy to share knowledge on the same.