The famous case of the Lebanon pager explosion has caught the attention of people around the world. 9 people were killed and 2750 got injured because of the explosion. You must have been wondering about the use of pager in the era of smartphones, but you should know the fact that pager is still used in military forces and hospitals for safety purposes. Like any other electronic device, a mobile phone produces radio frequencies that are harmful to non-ionizing radiation and may adversely affect your health, especially your DNA.
The sudden explosion of various pager devices in different locations of Lebanon has drawn everyone’s attention towards the radiation generated by pagers or mobiles. Here are some side effects associated with this harmful radiation:
The frequency range for mobiles may lie between 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz. whereas the frequency range of a pager can be 150 MHz to 900 MHz, which is minimum but sometimes affects your biological process. If you use these devices for a long period, then their radiation may cause brain tumors, cancers, and other serious health issues.
What kinds of radiation does a pager give and what disease it can cause?
The health risks associated with RF radiation from mobile phones and pagers have been debated for decades. While non-ionizing radiation is not strong enough to directly break chemical bonds or ionize molecules in the body, there are still concerns about prolonged exposure to low levels of radiation.
➤ Infertility: The long term exposure to these radiations may lower the sperm count of a male and increase the risk of miscarriage in case of pregnant women.
➤ Skin Burn: Skin burn is one of the risks associated with pager or mobile explosions. That may happen because of excessive heat or swelling in the battery.
➤ Headaches and sleep disorder: some researchers have suggested that being in the long term exposure to these RF radiation may cause headaches and sleep disorders like insomnia or degrade the quality of your sleep.
➤ Cancer Risks: In case of continued use of pager or mobile you may get affected by cancer or other neurological disorders.
How to treat a “burn” if a pager/mobile explodes in your pocket
Immediate First Aid:
➤ Take the Device Out: If your mobile phone or pager is still touching your skin, try to pull it back carefully without causing any other damage.
➤ Flush the burn – Cool (not cold) running water over the burn for 10-20 minutes to cool it and prevent further damage. Do not use ice, it can damage the skin and cause frostbite.
➤ Cover the Burn: When it is cooled, cover the burn with a clean non-stick bandage or cloth. This avoids getting an infection and also reduces the pain.
Medical Treatment:
First degree or superficial burns can be managed with pain relievers and burn creams which are available over-the-counter. Nevertheless, if the burn is more severe (second or third-degree), medical assistance cannot wait.
In case of major tissue damage, you may require some special treatment and prevention from infection. There are some tips that may prevent you from burn:
⋆ You should always avoid keeping your mobile in your pocket.
⋆ You should try to use the actual battery and charger of the phone to avoid the risk of burn.
⋆ Immediately change your battery in case of damage or swelling.
⋆ Contact the nearest healthcare specialist in case of burn.
