Decreasing memory performance Negative effects of cell phone radiation are proven

Cellular phone radiation can affect memory in adolescents

For years it has been disputed among professionals whether cell phone radiation can harm your health. Although warned in the past again and again before the high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, but according to scientific studies, there is no such mobile radio risk. However, researchers have now discovered that cell phone radiation can negatively impact memory performance.

Health hazards caused by mobile phone radiation

Can cell phones cause cancer? This question has been controversial among experts for years. Although an older study showed that cell phone radiation can promote cancer growth - at least in mice. And in other scientific studies, there was evidence that cell phone radiation is a risk factor for brain tumors. Many scientists, however, doubt that there is such a connection. However, the beams are not harmless, because as a new study has now shown, high-frequency electromagnetic fields in the use of mobile phones can adversely affect the development of memory performance of certain brain regions.

A recent study of hundreds of adolescents found that cell phone radiation can negatively impact memory performance. The negative impact is more pronounced among those who use their mobile phone on the right side of the head. (Image: Tanusha / fotolia.com)

Previous studies without clear results

As the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) writes in a communication, the rapid development of information and communication technologies has led to increased exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in everyday life.

The most important source of brain exposure is therefore the use of a mobile phone near the head.

However, scientific studies that analyze the health effects of RF-EMF have failed to produce clear results.

Effects on memory performance in adolescents

In a study conducted by the Swiss TPH, the relationship between HF-EMF exposure to mobile phones and memory performance in adolescents was investigated.

The study, which involved 700 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17, builds on a 2015 report published in the journal Environment International and includes twice the sample size and recent information on the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in adolescent brains.

It is the world's first epidemiological study to estimate the cumulative brain HF-EMF dose in adolescents.

The results of the current study are now published in the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives".

When the phone is used on the right side of the head

The Swiss study found that cumulative brain RF-EMF exposure to mobile phones for over a year could have a negative impact on the development of figural memory in adolescents. Thus, the study confirms the results of 2015.

As explained in the communication, the figural memory is mainly located in the right brain, and the influence of RF-EMF was more pronounced in those adolescents who also used their mobile phone on the right side of the head.

"This indicates that electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the brain is responsible for the observed relationships," said Martin Röösli, Head of the Environment and Health Unit at the Swiss TPH.

Low radiation exposure when sending text messages, games and surfing

According to the information, other aspects of wireless communication such as sending text messages, games or surfing the Internet cause only a low radiation exposure of the brain and showed no connection with the development of memory.

"A unique feature of this study is the use of objectively collected user data from mobile operators," explained Röösli.

However, he emphasized that more research was needed to rule out the influence of other factors.

"For example, the study outcomes may have been influenced by puberty, which affects both mobile phone use and participants' behavior and cognitive abilities."

Minimize risks by using headsets or speakers

As the Communication concludes, investigating the effects of RF-EMF exposure on the brain is a relatively new field of research.

"It is still unclear how high-frequency electromagnetic radiation could affect the processes in the brain or how relevant our findings are in the long term," Röösli said.

"Potential risks to the brain can be minimized by using headsets or loudspeakers when making a call, especially with low network quality and maximum performance of the mobile phone." (Ad)