Effect of GSM Phone Radiation on Human Pulse Rate (Heartbeat Rate)

Concern about human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) is not new. The conveniences and satisfaction derived in the use of GSM mobile phone is being threatened by claims of adverse effects on human health by radiation coming from this device. This radiation belongs to the type called non-ionizing radiation the health hazard of which remains debatable. Research has not been carried out on possible effect this device might have on human health and no experimental proof, based on data obtained within Nigeria, exist to substantiate any claim. Safety standards exist for radiation from cell phone but these are not reassuring. This paper investigates any possible effect of GSM mobile phone radiation on human heart rate and then come out with conclusion based on experimental proof. Over one hundred human subjects were monitored by measuring their pulse rate under three exposure criteria. In one of the radiation tests, the phone used was put in vibration mode in order to determine subjects were not just responding to vibration. It was found out pulse rate do not change significantly when subjects were exposed to phone radiation. However, the percentage decrease recorded by people of age 40 years and above, even though barely above 1% makes it advisable that people of age 40 years and above should avoid keeping mobile phones close to the heart.