Flight Mode: Reducing Mobile Radiation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether activating flight mode on mobile devices helps reduce mobile radiation, particularly focusing on the implications for health and safety. Participants explore various aspects of mobile radiation, including its definitions, potential health effects, and the functionality of flight mode.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants clarify that flight mode deactivates communications with cell towers, thus reducing electromagnetic radiation emitted by the phone.
  • Others express concern about harmful radiation affecting the brain and heart, questioning the safety of mobile radiation in general.
  • One participant asserts that mobile radiation has never been shown to be harmful, suggesting that flight mode effectively reduces most radiation.
  • Another participant points out that even in flight mode, the phone still emits some signals, particularly when used for activities like listening to music.
  • There is a discussion about the extent to which flight mode reduces radiation, with some arguing it stops it completely while others contend it only reduces it significantly.
  • One participant emphasizes that to eliminate all radiation, one would need to remove the battery, as flight mode does not completely stop emissions.
  • References to external sources are provided, discussing the lack of evidence linking mobile radiation to cancer, despite ongoing concerns.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of flight mode in reducing mobile radiation, with no consensus reached on whether it completely eliminates radiation or merely reduces it. There is also disagreement regarding the health implications of mobile radiation.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the health effects of mobile radiation are based on varying interpretations of existing research, and there are unresolved questions about the definitions of "mobile radiation" and the specific types of emissions being discussed.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals concerned about mobile phone safety, health professionals, and those studying the effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Eltahawy
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Does activating flight mode help in reducing mobile radiation?
 
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What do you mean by mobile radiation? Assuming you mean the electromagnetic radiation that a phone sends to the nearest tower, then yes, flight mode deactivates all these communications.
 
Thanks, but I meant the harmful radiation that harms the brain & the heart
 
They have, to my knowledge, never been shown to be harmful. But yes, if you are concerned about them, flight mode gets rid of most of the "radiation".
 
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Eltahawy said:
Does activating flight mode help in reducing mobile radiation?

rumborak said:
They have, to my knowledge, never been shown to be harmful. But yes, if you are concerned about them, flight mode gets rid of most of the "radiation".

and adding to that which Rumborak said ...

but, you understand, your phone isn't going to be useable (as a phone) ? ... if you were considering using this mode for times other than when flyingDave
 
Keep also in mind, it's all a question of magnitude. Even in flight mode the phone still emits signals; it is an electrical device after all. Specifically, when you listen to music through headphones, you are squeezing your head between two coils that radiate into your brain. Great sounding radiation though.
 
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davenn said:
and adding to that which Rumborak said ...

but, you understand, your phone isn't going to be useable (as a phone) ? ... if you were considering using this mode for times other than when flyingDave
I know that for sure
 
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so what was your thinking behind your original question ?

Eltahawy said:
Does activating flight mode help in reducing mobile radiation?
it doesn't help reduce it ... it stops it completely
 
We just established that it still radiates, even in flight mode. Just at significantly lower level.
 
  • #10
rumborak said:
We just established that it still radiates, even in flight mode. Just at significantly lower level.
who is we and when ??

As far as I'm aware the transmitter is disabled ... do you have references to the contrary ?

from wiki ...

Airplane mode is a setting available on many mobile phones and other electronic devices that, when activated, suspends many of the device's signal transmitting functions, thereby disabling the device's capacity to place or receive calls or use text messaging – ... When the "airplane mode" is activated, it will disable all cellular services (GSM, UMTS, LTE) as well as other signal-transmitting technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
 
  • #11
It's an electronic device. Unless you surround entirely with a metal box, it emits signals.
 
  • #12
rumborak said:
It's an electronic device. Unless you surround entirely with a metal box, it emits signals.
yeah but that's not the issue and not what flight mode is for

flight mode specifically turns off the transmitters and that is all the airlines are worried about
not the microwatts of random emission
 
  • #13
Yes, but we don't know whether he cares about *all* radiation, or just the antenna radiation. The point is, switching to flight vastly reduces radiation. But it doesn't completely eliminate it. For that you have to pull the battery.
 
  • #15
Eltahawy said:
Take a look
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet

and from that report ...
What has research shown about the possible cancer-causing effects of radiofrequency energy?

Although there have been some concerns that radiofrequency energy from cell phones held closely to the head may affect the brain and other tissues, to date there is no evidence from studies of cells, animals, or humans that radiofrequency energy can cause cancer.

It is generally accepted that damage to DNA is necessary for cancer to develop. However, radiofrequency energy, unlike ionizing radiation, does not cause DNA damage in cells, and it has not been found to cause cancer in animals or to enhance the cancer-causing effects of known chemical carcinogens in animals (3–5).

so...

considering the millions and millions of cellphone users worldwide and now for a significant number of years .. without being an observable increase in cancers ...

what is your problem/worry ??

Dave
 
  • #16
Thread closed for Moderation. I got vertigo from the title and final direction...
 
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