Awareness of Mobile Phone Radiation and Its Potential Health Hazards Among Students and Working-class Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Survey

Joshua Paul; Anandi Shivaram; Panchami P; Bhumika Patel; Devi Jaikrishnan; Wilner Martinez-Lopez; Radha Saraswathy

doi:10.21467/ajgr.12.1.1-10

Authors

Joshua Paul Department of Biomedical Genetics, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9361-5316
Anandi Shivaram Department of Biomedical Genetics, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014, India
Panchami P Department of Biomedical Genetics, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014
Bhumika Patel Department of Biomedical Genetics, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014
Devi Jaikrishnan Department of Biomedical Genetics, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014
Wilner Martinez-Lopez Epigenetics and Genomic Instability Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas Clemente, Estable, Av. Italia 3318, Montevideo, Uruguay https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9384-4231
Radha Saraswathy Department of Biomedical Genetics, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632014

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21467/ajgr.12.1.1-10

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increased dependence on mobile phones by students and working professionals. Mobile phones are indispensable gadgets with a wide range of applications. However, there are potential risks associated with its usage in terms of radiofrequency radiation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of radiation and its biological adverse effects caused due to the usage of mobile phones among students and working professionals. An online awareness survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic among 351 participants using Google forms. The questionnaire was disseminated to the WhatsApp groups of students and working professionals and the data was statistically analysed. Among the 351 subjects, 72% of the respondents used their mobile phones for more than 4 hours per day. However, less than 20% were fully aware of mobile phone radiation being listed in the possible carcinogen list by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, only half of the respondents considered the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value and information on radiation emission while purchasing a new phone. To conclude, the need for awareness of potential hazards associated with the mobile phone radiation seems crucial, especially during this time when everyone in the world and especially school and college students are highly dependent on mobile phones.

Keywords:

Mobile phone radiation, Electromagnetic radiation, Specific absorption rate

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