Could Your Phone Hurt You? Electromagnetic Pollution

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Electricity is all around us all the time. Electricity is all around us all the time. It makes our lives easier, safer, more fun, It makes our lives easier, safer, more fun, and most of us never think about it. and most of us never think about it. But is there such a thing as too much electricity? But is there such a thing as too much electricity? Could the thing that is the foundation of the modern world Could the thing that is the foundation of the modern world slowly be killing us? slowly be killing us? Before we dive deeper, Before we dive deeper, let's try to understand what electricity is, let's try to understand what electricity is, and how it affects us. and how it affects us. Electricity is the movement of an electric charge. Electricity is the movement of an electric charge. This movement generates Electric and Magnetic Fields This movement generates Electric and Magnetic Fields that spread out through space and carry energy. that spread out through space and carry energy. We call this phenomenon: Electromagnetic Radiation. We call this phenomenon: Electromagnetic Radiation. Radiation is a word that makes people very nervous. Radiation is a word that makes people very nervous. But, to radiate just means, "giving off". But, to radiate just means, "giving off". Like when the radiator in your house gives off heat Like when the radiator in your house gives off heat in the form of infrared radiation. in the form of infrared radiation. Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum correspond to different types of radiation. correspond to different types of radiation. And, many of them are perfectly harmless. And, many of them are perfectly harmless. Some of them can be dangerous though. Some of them can be dangerous though. Radiation with very short wavelengths Radiation with very short wavelengths like UV Light, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays like UV Light, X-Rays, and Gamma Rays are strong enough to rip electrons out of their atoms, are strong enough to rip electrons out of their atoms, which can cause burns and genetic damage. which can cause burns and genetic damage. This is what many people have in mind when they hear the term "radiation". This is what many people have in mind when they hear the term "radiation". The rest of the spectrum covers a large range of longer waves The rest of the spectrum covers a large range of longer waves from Visible Light, Infrared, from Visible Light, Infrared, Microwaves, to Radio Waves. Microwaves, to Radio Waves. This is the kind of radiation that's emitted by all sorts of human technology. This is the kind of radiation that's emitted by all sorts of human technology. Mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, Mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, electric power lines, and household appliances. electric power lines, and household appliances. This radiation doesn't disrupt molecules in our body. This radiation doesn't disrupt molecules in our body. However, some kinds of radiation can stimulate muscles and nerves However, some kinds of radiation can stimulate muscles and nerves and can also make the hair on your body vibrate, and can also make the hair on your body vibrate, which can sometimes cause a tingly feeling above certain threshold values. which can sometimes cause a tingly feeling above certain threshold values. Other kinds are useful for making dinner. Other kinds are useful for making dinner. Microwaves push the water molecules in your food around Microwaves push the water molecules in your food around which warms it up. which warms it up. This happens to us all the time. This happens to us all the time. For example, the pleasant warmth you feel at the beach For example, the pleasant warmth you feel at the beach is your skin heating up from exposure to is your skin heating up from exposure to electromagnetic infrared radiation from the sun. electromagnetic infrared radiation from the sun. We are surrounded by natural, and generally harmless, We are surrounded by natural, and generally harmless, sources of electromagnetic radiation all the time sources of electromagnetic radiation all the time and always have been. and always have been. But, since the Industrial Revolution, But, since the Industrial Revolution, we have added a lot of it to our immediate environment. we have added a lot of it to our immediate environment. The question of whether this is actually dangerous The question of whether this is actually dangerous first got public attention when a 1979 study first got public attention when a 1979 study linked leukemia to living near power lines. linked leukemia to living near power lines. This particular study was quickly discredited though. This particular study was quickly discredited though. The connection could not be explained The connection could not be explained and no direct causal link was confirmed. and no direct causal link was confirmed. But once this had been proposed, the idea persisted. But once this had been proposed, the idea persisted. And the thousands of studies about possible dangers And the thousands of studies about possible dangers illustrate that it's still seen as a very real threat. illustrate that it's still seen as a very real threat. A lot of people claim to be sensitive to the radiation A lot of people claim to be sensitive to the radiation coming from our appliances and cell phones. coming from our appliances and cell phones. They report symptoms like headaches, They report symptoms like headaches, nausea, skin reactions, nausea, skin reactions, burning eyes, or exhaustion. burning eyes, or exhaustion. But those are just effects reported on a day-to-day basis. But those are just effects reported on a day-to-day basis. A few studies have found much more unsettling results. A few studies have found much more unsettling results. Like, possible connections between the side of the brain, Like, possible connections between the side of the brain, which people use when they are on their phones, which people use when they are on their phones, and the appearance of brain tumors. and the appearance of brain tumors. The question that science is trying to answer, The question that science is trying to answer, is not so much about the acute effects of irradiation. is not so much about the acute effects of irradiation. We know, for example, We know, for example, that x-rays cause immediate damage to the DNA in your cells that x-rays cause immediate damage to the DNA in your cells but that the same doesn't happen with radio waves. but that the same doesn't happen with radio waves. The question is rather: The question is rather: Is the sort of weak electromagnetic radiation we are constantly surrounded by Is the sort of weak electromagnetic radiation we are constantly surrounded by harmful in the long run as a result of some as-yet-unknown mechanism? harmful in the long run as a result of some as-yet-unknown mechanism? Answering this question was much harder than we first thought. Answering this question was much harder than we first thought. There are thousands of primary sources, There are thousands of primary sources, reports, and statements by an onslaught of different organizations. reports, and statements by an onslaught of different organizations. So, we read a lot for this video. So, we read a lot for this video. You can take a look at our research in the video description. You can take a look at our research in the video description. What we found is that this debate is a good example What we found is that this debate is a good example of how science should be communicated and how it shouldn't. of how science should be communicated and how it shouldn't. Many of the much-cited studies that spread panic about electromagnetic radiation Many of the much-cited studies that spread panic about electromagnetic radiation are highly controversial. are highly controversial. For example, For example, a series of population studies based on surveys and self-reporting. a series of population studies based on surveys and self-reporting. What this means is, for example, What this means is, for example, asking brain tumor patients how much they think they used their phone in the last few years. asking brain tumor patients how much they think they used their phone in the last few years. The problem is that people are unreliable. The problem is that people are unreliable. We tend to misremember things or can be influenced easily. We tend to misremember things or can be influenced easily. On top of this, On top of this, studies or media reports may be cherry picking the findings that best suit their opinion studies or media reports may be cherry picking the findings that best suit their opinion or make for the most exciting headline. or make for the most exciting headline. For example, For example, a study looking for cancer in rats and mice from cell phone radiation. a study looking for cancer in rats and mice from cell phone radiation. The results seemed to show a connection. The results seemed to show a connection. But, for some reason, only in male rats. But, for some reason, only in male rats. And, none at all in mice. And, none at all in mice. But it was reported as if this study did prove But it was reported as if this study did prove that mobile phone radiation causes cancer. that mobile phone radiation causes cancer. Unfortunately, this is the case for studies with both positive and negative findings on the issue. Unfortunately, this is the case for studies with both positive and negative findings on the issue. Another aspect, is that the WHO did officially classify radio frequency fields Another aspect, is that the WHO did officially classify radio frequency fields as possibly carcinogenic. as possibly carcinogenic. But what this actually means But what this actually means is that there are some hints that they might cause cancer, is that there are some hints that they might cause cancer, but we can't prove it, and that we will keep an eye out. but we can't prove it, and that we will keep an eye out. So, if we zoom out a bit, what's the big picture? So, if we zoom out a bit, what's the big picture? On the whole, On the whole, there was no consistent evidence in human studies there was no consistent evidence in human studies that electromagnetic radiation below exposure value limits causes health problems. that electromagnetic radiation below exposure value limits causes health problems. There are some statistical associations There are some statistical associations but they're mostly weak and inconsistent. but they're mostly weak and inconsistent. If there were any definite cause-effect relations If there were any definite cause-effect relations we would know by now because of all the data we have. we would know by now because of all the data we have. So, based on the current state of science, So, based on the current state of science, should you worry about the radiation from your laptop, or cell phone, or TV? should you worry about the radiation from your laptop, or cell phone, or TV? The answer is no. The answer is no. You shouldn't. You shouldn't. But what about the people who say it is harming them? But what about the people who say it is harming them? Research show they could be experiencing what's known as the Nocebo Effect. Research show they could be experiencing what's known as the Nocebo Effect. If you have a headache and happen to start feeling better right when you switch off your laptop, If you have a headache and happen to start feeling better right when you switch off your laptop, you might see a connection between those two things. you might see a connection between those two things. Once you get this suspicion, the idea alone that weak radiation might harm you Once you get this suspicion, the idea alone that weak radiation might harm you could be the very thing harming you. could be the very thing harming you. It's easy to belittle these people; It's easy to belittle these people; most of them feel they're not being taken seriously, most of them feel they're not being taken seriously, which makes the situation even worse for them. which makes the situation even worse for them. They should get support. They should get support. But, it's important to be aware that, so far, But, it's important to be aware that, so far, we have no robust evidence that electricity below safety limits has any negative effect on humans. we have no robust evidence that electricity below safety limits has any negative effect on humans. In the attention economy we live in, In the attention economy we live in, talking about unproven dangers can make us neglect things that we know for sure are bad for us. talking about unproven dangers can make us neglect things that we know for sure are bad for us. Just one example: Just one example: Outdoor air pollution is linked to 4.2 million premature deaths each year, Outdoor air pollution is linked to 4.2 million premature deaths each year, and is definitely something we could have a real impact on today. and is definitely something we could have a real impact on today. Still, to make people feel safe, and just to make sure, Still, to make people feel safe, and just to make sure, there are several long-term studies ongoing already. there are several long-term studies ongoing already. For example, the Cosmos study that will look at the possible health impacts of cell phone use For example, the Cosmos study that will look at the possible health impacts of cell phone use by exactly measuring frequency and duration of phone calls. by exactly measuring frequency and duration of phone calls. But while we wait for the conclusion of these long-term studies, But while we wait for the conclusion of these long-term studies, there are a lot more pressing problems to focus on. there are a lot more pressing problems to focus on. Like, instead of worrying what devices and networks do to your health, Like, instead of worrying what devices and networks do to your health, consider how they can harm you in other ways. consider how they can harm you in other ways. When we shop online, share photos, When we shop online, share photos, or watch YouTube videos, or watch YouTube videos, we leave a trail of accounts and passwords all over the Internet. we leave a trail of accounts and passwords all over the Internet. Radio waves may not hurt us, Radio waves may not hurt us, but people trying to take advantage of our data certainly will. but people trying to take advantage of our data certainly will. If a service becomes compromised, hackers can get your password. If a service becomes compromised, hackers can get your password. And, if you use the same login details anywhere else, And, if you use the same login details anywhere else, they can easily slip into your other accounts. they can easily slip into your other accounts. That's why we use dashlane. That's why we use dashlane. It's just one app to stay safe online on any device, It's just one app to stay safe online on any device, operating system, or browser. operating system, or browser. It creates super-strong, unique passwords It creates super-strong, unique passwords but still lets you change them with just one click. but still lets you change them with just one click. dashlane will even send you breach alerts when sites you use get hacked dashlane will even send you breach alerts when sites you use get hacked and includes VPN for every device so you can securely browse from anywhere in the world and includes VPN for every device so you can securely browse from anywhere in the world like on your home Wi-Fi. like on your home Wi-Fi. Because we want you to have nice things, Because we want you to have nice things, you can get a 30-day free trial of dashlane by going to: you can get a 30-day free trial of dashlane by going to: dashlane.com/kurzgesagt dashlane.com/kurzgesagt If you like it, use the code, "Kurzgesagt" at checkout. If you like it, use the code, "Kurzgesagt" at checkout. The first 200 people will get 10% off. The first 200 people will get 10% off.

Info

Channel: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell

Views: 3,174,291

Rating: 4.9121737 out of 5

Keywords: Electronics, radiation, device, electromagnetic, phone, smartphone, electrons, electricity, waves

Id: FfgT6zx4k3Q

Channel Id: undefined

Length: 8min 43sec (523 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 07 2019

Reddit Comments

tl;dr: No. There's been a TON of studies into it since initial panic started up due to a study in 1979, but there's been no strong evidence that the electromagnetic waves we experience from our TVs/phones etc. (which are below safety limits) are harmful to us. A large part of the panic is caused by the nocebo effect, the opposite of the placebo effect where because you think something is bad for you & harming you it makes you feel worse and (by the workings of a self-fulfilling prophecy) actually DO make you feel worse due to stress & other factors. As always, the media doesn't help with this.

If you're concerned, research is on-going in multiple long-term studies and hopefully we'll find the full truth sooner or later. In the mean time though, it's better to prioritize other things that are DEFINITELY affecting us and are potentially something within our control: For example, air pollution.

I think the conclusion is solid & that the video was well researched, but I can definitely relate to other people so far about the Dashlane ad at the end. It felt rushed and a bit out of place all things considered; when you look at Kurzgesagt in terms of sponsors I don't believe the first thing you think of is a password manager/VPN. Rewatching it now I also feel like they were a bit harsh on the 'fear' aspect of the ad if that makes any sense; they really pushed the notion that if you're compromised without proper protection you're screwed (which while true still came off pretty heavy relative to I usually expect from Kurzgesagt).

So in my opinion the video is good, but I feel like the AD at the end was a bit too fearmongery & that it definitely feels a tad out of place for what Kurzgesagt usually has in terms of sponsorships. With that said, the message they gave at the start of it was very real: Do NOT use the same password for multiple sites, update your antivirus and ALWAYS use 2FA when possible. Protection is essential.

👍︎︎ 93 👤︎︎ u/OnlyAnEssenceThief 📅︎︎ Jul 07 2019 🗫︎ replies

I'm going to be a bit of a downer here. While I liked and enjoyed the content itself, something about that "sneaky" segue to the sponsor spot really rubbed me the wrong way. In addition, at the time of writing, neither the video description nor the video itself actually mention Dashlane is a sponsor, not even a "use the coupon code to get 10% off and support Kurzgesagt at the same time".

Perhaps I'll turn out to be alone in this, but it made me feel like the entire video is just one big long-winded ad and really detracted from what is otherwise an informative and well-done presentation.

👍︎︎ 49 👤︎︎ u/PartiallyCat 📅︎︎ Jul 07 2019 🗫︎ replies

I enjoyed the content but just that sneaky ad was a bit anoying.

👍︎︎ 10 👤︎︎ u/Jewelmaster95 📅︎︎ Jul 07 2019 🗫︎ replies

Check out the fancy new subtitles. Is purple reserved for the special Youtubers? I know you can make some changes, but I think this is the first time I've seen someone make the effort to. I wonder how people who depend on them will react to the lack of high contrast white text on black backgrounds.

👍︎︎ 5 👤︎︎ u/wgolding 📅︎︎ Jul 07 2019 🗫︎ replies

TL;DR:

NO

👍︎︎ 4 👤︎︎ u/Doses_of_Happiness 📅︎︎ Jul 07 2019 🗫︎ replies

Sonic: "Gotta Go Fast"

👍︎︎ 3 👤︎︎ u/imaginary_num6er 📅︎︎ Jul 07 2019 🗫︎ replies

Funny part is I meet a lot of people who refuse to believe in proven sciences like vaccines or climate change while believing in electro smog. People who base their truths on intuition kind of feel like lost causes.

👍︎︎ 2 👤︎︎ u/StewofPuppies 📅︎︎ Jul 08 2019 🗫︎ replies

Is it significant that visible light waves are stronger than most radiation used by electronics?

👍︎︎ 1 👤︎︎ u/orangesheepdog 📅︎︎ Jul 08 2019 🗫︎ replies

How about 5G?

👍︎︎ 1 👤︎︎ u/lehmanbear 📅︎︎ Jul 08 2019 🗫︎ replies