Mysuru: A guest lecture on ‘Adverse effects of excessive mobile phone use’ was organised by the Under Graduate Department of Chemistry, St. Philomena’s College, Mysuru in the college auditorium recently.

This lecture was co-ordinated by Dr. Ravi J.D. Saldanha, Associate Professor of Chemistry, St. Philomena’s College, in association with Symcon Foundation and Social Welfare Trust, an NGO from Bengaluru.

The resource person was Roopashree, Programme Officer, Symcon Foundation, Bengaluru. The lecture focussed on the use of mobile phones, which may lead to a number of health problems such as headache, impaired concentration and memory loss and fatigue. And also focused on promoting a better understanding of the known and unknown facts about radio frequency radiation.

Roopashree addressed the participants with different solutions available on the use of mobile phones analysed their influence on health and development of students. With advancement in technology, mobile phone users and people living within close range of the mobile phone base stations have become increasingly concerned over the potential harmful effects of radio frequency radiation produced by these devices to their health.  

Out of the research conducted so far (83.57%) had some knowledge about the adverse effects of Mobile Phone use. 76.92% of the students carried one mobile, and 23.08% more than one. 55.94%, of the subjects reported the average daily Mobile Phone use of less than 30 min, 27.97%, of 30-60 min, 11.53%, of 60-90 min and 4.54% of more than 90 min. 16.08% of the subjects complained of headache and 24.48% of fatigue. Impaired concentration was reported by 34.27% of respondents, memory disturbances by 40.56%, sleeplessness by 38.8%, hearing problems by 23.07%, and facial dermatitis by 16.78%.

The sensation of warmth within the auricle and behind/around the ear was reported to be 28.32%. Out of 286 subjects who participated in this study, 44.4% related their symptoms to mobile phone use she said.  

This lecture session not only provided general background information on the health effects from mobile phones and base stations but also helped the students to alleviate anxiety.