As a society, we love our phones even more than we love each other.
They hold our schedules, our contacts, our music, and our lives.
But what is all that phone time doing to your body?
It turns out, more damage than you think.
Weakening your immune system
Basically, your cell phone is covered with bacteria.
A study done at the London School of Hygiene concluded that there is more bacteria and
germs on a cell phone than on the surface of a public toilet seat.
1 in 6 phones tested had fecal matter on them, which transfers directly to your hands.
According to study co-author Dr. Ron Cutler,
"People may claim they wash their hands regularly, but the science shows otherwise."
But it gets worse.
In 2011, 27 scientists from the World Health Organization classified cell phones in the
same carcinogenic category as pesticides, gasoline exhaust, burning coal, and dry-cleaning
chemicals.
No amount of Purell can save you, if your phone is frying your insides.
Messing with your head
Studies show that constantly using your phone can cause anti-social behavior.
Researchers at the University of Maryland found that, after using a phone, subjects
were less likely to engage with others or volunteer to help a charity.
Researcher Ajay Abraham explains,
"When people use their cell phones, it triggers [a] feeling [of] connectedness to other people…
It makes people think they are fulfilled in this goal."
A study at Kent State found that cell phone users who were on their phone at a high frequency
tended to have more anxiety, were far unhappier, and had a lower GPA.
In addition, you're more likely to develop depression or insomnia.
According to researchers at the University of Gothenberg in Sweden, the more you're on
your phone, especially later into the evening, the more stress it causes your body and mental
health.
A pain in the neck
Do you have "text neck"?
Headaches?
A sore back?
According to Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation
Medicine, the average head weighs 10 to 12 pounds.
But when you look down at your phone, the pressure on your neck is equivalent to 60
pounds.
Text neck can also cause TMJ and early-onset arthritis.
Hansraj says,
"These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possible surgeries."
So stand up straight, just like your mama told ya.
Brain tumors
Italy's Supreme Court linked one man's brain tumor to his cell phone use.
The man, who used his cell phone over six hours a day for 12 years for work, sued the
company and won.
The Supreme Court cited a Swedish study by Professor Lenartt Hardell, who found that
heavy cellphone users developed brain cancer 4 to 5 times more often.
Hardell also found that even people who use their phones sporadically are at risk.
Studies have shown that just 50 minutes of use can alter the brain.
So be careful, or you might get a tumor.
"It's not a tumor.
It's not a tumor.
At all."
What did you say?
A study done by Dr. Naresh Panda [of the American Academy of Otolaryngology found that people
who had been cell phone users for more than four years, and were on their phones for more
than an hour a day, suffered high frequency hearing loss, and possibly inner ear damage.
Panda states that symptoms included a warm sensation, ringing in the ears, or difficulty
differentiating between consonants like s, f, t, and z.
Bad for your vision
It turns out constantly staring at the harsh light of your phone screen can definitely
affect your peepers.
The Vision Council reports that staring at the screen can cause what is called Digital
Eye Strain.
A shocking 65 percent of Americans have this syndrome, with symptoms like headaches, irritated
eyes, blurred vision, neck and back pain, and eye fatigue.
The Council recommends limiting screen time or wearing special computer specs.
But hey, it could be worse.
"I'm Ants in My Eyes Johnson, everything's black, I can't see a thing, and also I can't
feel anything, either, did I mention that?"
Metal poisoning
Since the rise in popularity of smartphones, doctors have seen a spike in patients with
allergies, rashes, and contact dermatitis.
They've discovered this is caused by the metals phones are made from.
A Canadian Medical Journal Association study inspected 22 phone models for the presence
of nickel, a common allergen and irritant, and discovered ten tested positive for the
metal.
Peace out sperm count
Many believe that cell phones are bad for kids, but it's now believed it could also
be bad for having kids.
A Cleveland Clinic study has found that cell phones could actually lower a man's sperm
count.
According to the Clinic, 15 percent of couples are affected by infertility.
They studied the effects of electromagnetic waves and the relationship between cell phone
usage and male infertility, and it turns out there is a direct link.
According to the Clinic,
"The decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology is related to the duration
of exposure to cell phones."
For those trying to have kids or just keeping their boys swimming, storing the phone away
from your pants pocket would be the safest bet.
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