As more research is done on the effects of electromagnetic radiation produced by technologies we take for granted, relationships are discovered between various forms of radiation and diseases like leukemia and cancer. At what point do you feel the personal risks outweigh the conveniences of hi-tech gadgetry?
Chances are if you've ever eaten food, some of it was irradiated with UV C rays. Where do you stand on the issue of radiation sanitation?
Nuclear power plants provide years of efficient power production derived from relatively small amounts of material. In light of the devastation caused by the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the close-to-home accident on Three Mile Island in New York, do you feel the risks of nuclear power production are outweighed by the benefits?
If moderately stylish models were produced for public use, would you purchase and wear a lead body condom?
First off, well done on this blog! there is so much good information!.. By reading this I have learned a lot, I would never think that you could pop corn with your cell phone! I am amazed with all the things that people can be oblivious to, I think that people think that "if I can't see it, feel it, and it doesnt effect my every day life then its not a problem" people need to get out of that state of mind, because there are so many things that you could do to avoid some situations, for example skin cancer, solution: wear sun screen simple as that. I find it funny that radiation can cause cancer, but yet they use radiation to cure cancer. Is it really helping?
ReplyDeleteFirst I have to say, wow! What a great blog and nice job breaking up the information, sometimes stuff like this can get a little too technical, but thanks for putting in layman’s terms! I’m not sure I have a point in mind when I think of the risks of high-tech gadgets. For all we know our lap tops, cell phones and homes could be radioactive! Does that mean we stop computing? Or communicating? Or living in houses? I’m not sure the answer as to the threshold of my beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I’m not sure I have a stance on the issues of radiation sanitation. My questions would be; how do you stop it? Or monitor it? How do you know if something has been “radiated”??
As far as moderately stylish models of a body condom, I think if the contamination were bad enough I would have to force myself into one. So… yes!
I agree, Christine, with people having the motto "If I can't see it, feel it, and it doesn’t effect my everyday life then it’s not a problem.” I think this is the number one problem with environmental health issues!
As far as giving up my gadgets, I wish I could say I would, but I wouldn't. I'm grateful for research being done, and I want to be kept informed, but at this point, I'm not turning in my cell phone. The textbook mentioned that the location of the antennae of your cell phone is an important consideration. My phone is perfectly sleek and square, I've no idea where the antenna is.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about wearing a lead body condom...I guess I'll have to go with Denise on this one, I would if it got to the point where it was necessary, but I hope we're far from there.
The information covered within this blog, our text, and in class today, has made me a little concerned over the great deal of radiation within our world. From a young age, teachers taught us to not sleep close to our alarm clocks at night (stay at least 1 foot away) due to the constant radiation. I also believe in turning off electronics within bedrooms and limiting exposure to electic objects (I don't have a tv in my room - dorm or at home).
ReplyDeleteI feel that we are exposed to more radiation than we think - and I will be sure to experiment with the popping corn cell phone thing!
Sometimes I think of my cell phone - but this blog was a refresher so thank you! As noted previously, the cell phone antennae can be looked at with some concern (thanks text book!), and thus speaker phone may be the best option - I still don't trust the blue tooth head sets!
With our lives so exposed to radiation and radio active objects and emittances, I feel that nuclear power plants pose additional risks to our lives. It does not seem to be an appropriate form of energy, as there are so many risks environmentally, socially, and to our lives. As noted in presentations in class, nuclear plants may not be effective as other forms, and thus there is some critical thinking to be done regarding such energy forms.
Finally, I would refrain from a lead body condom... As much as I am for the use of condoms in everyday life... I would be afraid of poisoning my "all natural" suit that is in pretty decent shape!
Twenty-four years later, and the effects of Chernobyl are still being seen everyday. The (premature) birth of a baby with incomplete dna, forced into an incubator, fights for her life. Or how about Eight year old girl diagnosed with cancer because her mother, as a child, was exposed to Chernobyl radiation. So many cases like these and I tend to believe even a single life spent for this "cause", is too high of a price to pay for advancement. I was curious to how much land was actually effected by the accident and found out that an estimated 90,000 sq miles that were exposed to "unhealthy" levels of radioactive elements!
ReplyDeleteI think it's absolutely amazing that in places that we have felt safe and protected, levels of radiation are not only being tolerated, but pushed, advertised, and sold to us! Though I guess this far into Environmental Health I should realize: It all comes down to money!
I am really looking forward to (and then again, not) more concrete studies and research of the effects of everyday gadgets, and more specifically- cell phones! Attempting to look into it on my own I have found a lot of different contradicting opinions (blue tooth and ear phones for your cell- good or bad??!).
But unfortunately by the time; long term studies are done, the research is proven valid, awareness is heightened, public policy drawn, public policy enforced, and actual changes in behavior are seen, what damage will be done in the mean time??
As of right now my vote for the body condom is a big NO way! But the way things are going in our environment now, who really knows? Maybe it’ll be a new trend!
I don't feel that I use hi-tech gadgetry enough for it to cause a problem for me personally although I know many people who are constantly using it to the point that it might effect their health. Don't get me wrong, I have a cell phone and use microwaves but I don't let those types of things consume me. I also believe that the benefits of technology far outweigh the negative side-effects. For example, look at what we can accomplish with MRI scans and other medical technologies that use a form of radiation. Would you be willing to give up technologies that can save your life? I like having the comfort knowing we do have the technology to detect things such as a brain tumor.
ReplyDeleteThe accidents that happened were unfortunate; however, the benefits of nuclear power are great. For example, nuclear power is less expensive, it reduces our dependence on oil, and it does not emit greenhouse gases like: nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and carbon dioxide.
In reference to the lead body condom I hope that it never gets to that point and even if it did I don't think I would wear one. It has nothing to do with the "style factor" I just think since man-kind produced a lot of the radiation that the condom would protect us from we should be able to handle the repercussion of it all. Furthermore, after reading The Body Toxic, the body condom would probably by loaded with toxins that could affect us even more...and then what?
-Kat McDonald
I have to agree with Kat in the fact that I believe that some people may actually be putting themselves at risk with all thier gadgetry, many can't make it through class without texting. I do not think it is the fact that we have these products, but more of a concern as how much we use them. I am thankful to be able to get an x-ray when need be, but im not begging for one daily. Same for phones, computers, and what-not, (what happened to good old verbal conversations anyway?) Therefore if we can limit our use of these products we will be healthier in all aspects I beleive.
ReplyDeleteIm not sure where I stand with nuclear power plants, I recognize the fact that they produce ALOT of power, but I still feel like if we were more mindful of our energy consumption as a nation and pursued alternative energies more, then we may be able to eliminate nuclear power.
And as far as the lead suit...it would only be a race as to which would get ya first isn't it...the radiation or the lead poisoning? I guess I would probably still take suit if I felt I wouldn't survive without it.
Even though I currently realize that we are surrounded by many technological things that emit radiation on a day to day basis I am not extremely concerned. I should be... I have great proof that electronics do produce radiation. I have a television in my dorm that is currently not plugged in and is set off to the side. If I turn on my overhead light for a minute then turn it off and look back at the television screen it is glowing! Now that is creepy. What do you guys think?
ReplyDeleteI took a basic nutrition course back at the community college (YCCC) At some point the topic of food radiation was brought up and stated to be harmless. Going along on those facts I see no harm in radiated food. If food is radiated does that change the structure of the food? Does it change the physical and chemical form of how it is taken into our bodies? If either of these instances were possible I may begin to feel concerned.
My concern with power plants are in regards to the great deal of chemicals that they store. I grew up living only a short drive away from a Degussa plant ( formerly named Cyro) My father worked there while I was growing up and still does :)I always heard it said that if anything were to go wrong at the plant that we might be in danger. Does anyone think the radiation fall-out from Heroshima was large enough to blast radiation all over the world? I can picture that being possible!
In answering question four... never!
Jen
I think I'm going to have to go with Celia on this one. I'm not ready to turn in my cell phone. I think it would take proven scientific research linking cell phones to cancer or some other disease for me to turn in my cell phone and go back to LAN line.
ReplyDeleteAs far as nuclear power plants, I think our country needs to be spending some more time and money looking into alternatives. Even the possibility of something like Chernobyl happening is scary enough.
As I sit here in my bed reading these comments, I am also watching TV and I can reach out and touch my computer (obviously), my cell phone, and my alarm clock. For dinner I reheated leftovers in the microwave and also defrosted some frozen spinach. In this day and age, to say that we rely on these things is an understatement. Can any of us really say we would give up our phones, TVs, laptops, and microwaves to protect us from this invisible danger?
ReplyDeleteOne topic that the book discussed was radiation from tanning and sun exposure and I feel like this is definitely work discussing again. So not only are we exposed to radiation from cell phones, but from the sun as well. It's a natural source, can it really be that bad?
I think that's a great concern Rachel. I'm in the same boat where, while I'm writing this, I'm in an extended arms reach to my cell phone, microwave, refrigerator, TV, and so on. I think that the sun's ultraviolet rays have become more of an issue because nowadays people spend time just laying in the sun. Whereas, it used to be that people were more active working in the sun (lumber jack, farming, and other outdoor labor like these) compared to today when we leisurely lounge in it. This doesn't even cover the effects of UV rays being emitted in a tanning booth. I guess what I'm trying to say, Rachel, is that yes the sun is a natural source but everything has its breaking point and as we have mentioned in class, it all depends on the dose.
ReplyDelete- Kat
I agree with what Whitney had to say. What happen to the days when we would write to someone with a pen and paper rather than emailing them or calling them. Granted it is a good way of contacting people, we have become so overwhelmed with technology these days that we are so lost when something fails. But at the same time, I agree 100% with Rachel when she says that we have become so reliable on our technology that we forget about the old days. Some of us would be completely lost if we didn't have our computers one day, or our cell phones.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think that people just need to realize just how much they rely on technology and try to come up with other ways of doing certain things. Don't base your life around these gadgets in case something fails.
Great job on this blog. I felt all the information presented was very thought-provoking. Technology plays a tremendous part in the amount of radiation that is produced. Many people rely on cellphones,computers,television(which I am guilty of this also). I think it would be very difficult to give up these technological needs since we have been accustomed and exposed to these perks for awhile. I have never thought of using speaker phone to limit radiation. A simple action like this could work wonders. I do believe that there are more pros than cons to certain items like cellphones,computers,television,etc. Although verbal communication is key,these gadgets have made not only communication easier but also other aspects life like accomplishing more at the workplace. As long as these gadgets can help people do more in their busy everyday life than people will give in to technology. When it comes to radiation sanitation, I really try to stay away from reheating things in the microwave or microwavable foods because of this problem. I also would not be in favor of a full-body lead condom. I would much rather take the simple steps of testing my house and water for radon and being more cautious to my exposure to the sunlight.
ReplyDeleteI just took the time to watch the two youtube vidoeos about cell phones and popping popcorn. Having watched the video where popcorn was actually "popped" first I was gullable and believed what I saw. Watching the news video that states it was all a hoax second was a let down. Afterwards I could see irony in the situation. Someone decided to create videos that would show technology (cell phones) being used in a uniqe attention getting way, then to expose the truth that the cell phones did not really pop popcorn but that a second technology was used (computers) to create an allusion. Honestly! All for someone to make a fast dollar! The irony gets me!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would give up cell phones, computers, ect. to avoid the radiation. They are used so much today for everything that it's almost impractical to just stop using them all together. I might think about limiting how often I use these things. It seems reasonable to use a LAN line over a cell phone if the option is available, use the computer mostly for school purposes and cut the times I check facebook in a day down to one or two times, or limit phone calls on a cell phone to a certain amount of time. This would decrease the dose significantly and still be reasonable.
ReplyDeleteAs for a lead body suit, I think that would present the problem of lead poisoning (you solve on problem you come up with a new one). But if the radiation were really that bad, I probably would to avoid cancer even if some other health effects may arise.
I'm not sure I know enough about eating food treated with radiation to really form an opinion of it. I'm sure there may be some fun toxins that occur from it, but everything we eat has toxins on it so what makes this different?
ReplyDeleteAs for the nuclear power thing, I don't think it's a good option for power. I think it's way to dangerous and nuclear waste has a long half life. Nobody knows that the containers that nuclear waste is stored in is going to hold up for thousands of years, especially if they want to bury it in a mountainous area that is inherently vulnerable to earthquakes. If a container were to leak and expose nuclear waste to the earth there would be no way of containing it and stopping a nuclear disaster. I think nuclear energy is far to dangerous and we should put our efforts into finding a new form of energy.
I traveled to Kentucky this weekend, and was without a computer (quite nice!). But I traveled through a few airports and of course had to go through some heavy security (really the Portland aiport was the most extreme). I had to place objects on the belt to be x-rayed, and of course stepped through the metal detector. But as I was going through I thought... I certainly dont want to put my hand in there... Thinking of all the radiation and craziness pumping through the machines.
ReplyDelete--- the rest of my comment did not go through...
ReplyDeleteThinking of the radiation and the workers exposed to the constant x-ray.. I was certainly concerned, but was distracted when I saw the capitalist land/resource exploiting organization of Starbucks Coffee (I needed some espresso), but later thought of the lead body suit.
I do not feel this would "fare (sp)" well going through security, let alone getting on a puddle jumper where my 6'4" body was cramped with knee to jaw action (fun fun times!)
In the end- no lead body suits at the airport, plane, or going through security... How would I drink my coffee??
Radiation is a serious subject technology and devices will always outweigh personal risks in the long-run. To say that radiation is causing cancers and other diseases from natural sources is hazy; I will need more research and information to prove that. I believe man made radiation is a deadly energy especially when UV C rays get into our food. This is without a doubt cause of so many cancers all these toxins we are killing our selves at alarming rates. When I was young I never really heard of cancer only if you smoked cigarettes, now you are lucky if you don’t get some form of cancer.
ReplyDeleteServing in the USN on a Nuclear Carrier I had the chance to witness Nuclear power personally and it is amazing how efficient it runs with little materials. On the down scale I also have witnessed leaks of energy. Now with the incident in 1986 accidents will occur like in any professional such as the Challenger the same year, but if we take reasonable precautions and place nuclear power plants in remote areas and monitor communities living close we should be fine.
Hell no I will never wear a led condom if it gets to that point where all dead anyway, people are crazy
I had a microwave that was from 1980 and I was told to get rid of it reading over this blog I’m glad I did. Radiation is not something I really think about because I always make sure I’m never around it. I have never heard of any major problems except over sized reptiles and people living in the dessert that eats other people beside that nothing. I actually heard that President Obama is planning to build a new nuclear plant in Georgia starting this year, this will bring jobs and sustainability to our power grid at the same time helping our rapidly growing population with power sources.
ReplyDeleteWalt-