We know that cell phones emit radio frequency energy, which is non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that can be absorbed by tissue close to where the cell phone is held. Some studies have demonstrated a slight increase in the risk of certain brain tumors, from aggressive brain cancers to benign non-cancerous brain tumors like meningioma or acoustic neuromas. Other studies, however, have not demonstrated any risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO)/Interactional Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields “as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use.”
Any theoretical risk of tumors developing from cell phone use would be related to issues like: the type of phone, the distance from the phone antenna to the user (i.e. using a speaker phone and holding the phone away from the body decreases radiation exposure), the frequency and duration of phone use, and the age and health of the user.
SAR is the commonly used abbreviation for Specific Absorption Rate, a measure of the rate at which energyis absorbedby the body when exposed to a radio frequency(RF) electromagnetic field. It is defined as the powerabsorbed per massof tissueand has units of wattsper kilogram(W/kg). SAR is usually averaged either over the whole body, or over a small sample volume (typically 1 g or 10 g of tissue). The value cited is then the maximum level measured in the body part studied over the stated volume or mass.
tawkon uses universally accepted international SAR standards to determine when to alert you about radiation exposure.
The FCC maintains a SAR database; to check on your device, you'll need its FCC ID number. This number is usually on the case of the cell phone, although you might have to remove the battery pack to find it. Once you have the number, go to the FCC web siteand follow the instructions. Most manufacturers also include SAR information in their product manuals and Web sites. Other sites, like CNET(updated weekly), also provide access to the cell phone SAR levels.
A large prospective cohort studyof cell phone use and its possible long-term health effects was launched in Europe in March, 2010. This study, known as COSMOS, will enroll approximately 250,000 cell phone users ages 18 or older and follow them for 20 to 30 years. Participants in COSMOS will complete a questionnaire about their health, lifestyle, and current and past cell phone use. This information will be supplemented with information from health and cell phone records.
Another case-control study, called Mobi-Kids, is underway to examine health effects among children.
The Precautionary Principle is a collection of tips to reduce radiation exposure from cellular phones:
In theory, children have the potential to be at greater risk than adults for developing brain cancer from cell phones. Their bones and tissue are still developing and are therefore more vulnerable to factors that may cause cancer. Additionally, their heads are smaller than those of adults and therefore have greater proportional exposure to the field of radiofrequency radiation that is emitted by cell phones. And, of course, children have the potential to be exposed to cell phone radiation for many more years than adults do.
tawkon is a tool that helps reduce your exposure to high cell phone radiation. When you talk using the speaker or a headset, you decrease radiation exposure from your phone. But when you talk with the phone close to your head or body, sometimes you’ll be exposed to much higher levels, depending on factors like network condition/coverage and your handling of the phone. During the times when you are exposed to “high exposure” minutes, tawkon alerts you and makes suggestions of appropriate actions to take to reduce these “high exposure” minutes.
As a parent, your personal tawkon dashboard gives you full access to charts and statistics of your kids’ talk time and exposure to radiation. All you have to do is invite them to download tawkon via the “Family” tab.
tawkon enables you to talk the same as you always have. When we alert you, simply look at the screen and follow our easy to implement suggestions and avoid “high exposure” minutes. Our suggestions include things like switching to a hands-free device and distancing the phone from your body.
A single minute at high exposure levels is like 5 hours at lower levels. So paying attention to tawkon warnings even a few times can make represent a substantial decrease.
As found in a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO)/Interactional Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): “Using a hands-free device can reduce the exposure to radiation by a factor of 800, drastically lowering the exposure from max 2 watts from cell phones to 0.0025 watts max output for hands-free devices.”
Currently, there is no way to turn tawkon “off” without installing it; however, the alert settings are customizable to suit your needs. You can choose to receive an audio alert, a vibrating alert, both…or none.
Definitely. tawkon lets you know before you make or receive a call whether it will trigger high radiation exposure. tawkon will also tell you which precautions to take before the call in order to reduce your exposure.
Yes, the phone’s radiation is constantly changing during a call, and even when in stand-by mode. Radiation output is dependent on many factors including network conditions and phone usage
Absolutely not. tawkon runs only during a call. Since the two main components that drain battery power are the phone’s display and transmitter (modem), if you talk wisely and act according to takwon’s suggestions, you should actually be able to extend your talk/standby time.
The weekly report – sent via email – is more comprehensive and delivers useful usage tips in addition to the basic information you see in the application dashboard.
Of course! Your Bluetooth device maybe not be charged, your earphones may not always be nearby or your phone could be sometimes in your pocket. Knowing that tawkon will always guide you to lower levels of radiation exposure, allows you to continue talking, even in those scenarios.
Unless you move the phone completely away from your body, you will be exposed to some level of radiation. In such cases, it could be negligible compared to radiation amounts when tawkon sends an alert. Keep in mind that one minute of high radiation exposure equals five hours or more of low exposure. Our goal is to help you reduce or eliminate those high exposure minutes.
Directly Call Phone Numbers - Pre-call warning feature
Coarse (Network-Based) Location - Location warning feature
Fine (GPS) Location - Location warning feature