Chapter 1: Research on the Negative Effects of Radiation in Davao City

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

            In today’s highly complex and modernized world, where the use of high-technology gadgets and equipment is seen as an integral part in terms of development of every person’s life, be it in their offices, in business establishments, or even at their own homes, exposure to all forms of radiations is seen as something inevitable. 

According to Moulder (2003), radiation is naturally present in our environment, as it has been since before the birth of this planet. Many forms of radiation are encountered in the natural environment and are produced by modern technology. Most of them have the potential for both beneficial and harmful effects. Even sunlight, the most essential radiation of all, can be harmful in excessive amounts. In addition, radiation can be produced artificially, as in medical x-rays and microwaves for cooking. The various forms of radiation can be either beneficial or harmful, depending on their use and control.  The most dangerous effect of radiation on the environment is damage to humans and animals. For that reason, regulation of certain radioactive sources is necessary to ensure that people and the environment are protected from unnecessary or excessive exposures.

Background or natural radiation, which is present in the universe since the world began, has been a part of people’s life.  Though this form of radiation is destructive, it is not as destructive as the so-called man-made radiation which emit from high-technology gadgets such as mobile phones, computers, X-ray machines and photocopiers.  Exposure to the radiation which emit from these gadgets could pose danger to individuals and to the environment.

            In the Philippines, people’s knowledge on the ill effects of radiation is not substantial.  There is a great need to make the people aware on the ill effects of radiation on people’s health and on the environment.  In so doing, background radiation may not be lessened or controlled, but people’s awareness on radiation’s ill effects can be heightened and thus, exposure to man-made radiation might be lessened and so are the dangers it pose on people’s health and on the environment as well.

            In Davao City, the public’s awareness on the ill effects of radiation is minimal.  There is a need to conduct studies on the ill effects of radiation to further inform the public on the pressing issue.  Through this initiative, though we might not be able to lessen or avoid background radiation or the radiation from the environment, we can avoid or minimize our exposure to harmful man-made radiation.

Statement of the Problem

            This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of the public on the ill effects of radiation. Specifically, it sought answers the following questions:

1.    What is the demographic profile of the respondents with regards to:

1.1.        Gender;

1.2.        Age; and

1.3.        Educational Attainment?

            2. What is the level of awareness of the public on the ill effects of radiation in terms of:

2.1. People’s health; and

2.3. the Environment?

3.  Is there a significant difference in the level of awareness of the public on the ill effects of radiation when they are grouped by:

            3.1. Gender;

3.2. Age; and

3.3. Educational Attainment?

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study would be beneficial to the following:

            1.  DOH Personnel.  This will serve as their basis on disseminating information to the general public on the ill effects of radiation on people’s health and on the environment and set guidelines on the proper ways on how to minimize if not totally avoid prolonged exposure to radiation through print and non-print media.

            2.  School Administrators in Elementary, High School and College. This will serve as their basis on disseminating information to the students on the ill effects of radiation on people’s health and on the environment and set guidelines on the proper ways on how to minimize if not totally avoid prolonged exposure to radiation through academic lectures and school’s rules and  regulations.

            3. Business Corporations. This will serve as their basis on disseminating information to their personnel and clients on the ill effects of radiation on people’s health and on the environment and set guidelines on the proper ways on how to minimize if not totally avoid prolonged exposure to radiation through memoranda and post advertisements.

            4.  The Government.  This would serve as their basis in order to implement:

                4.1. Specific laws on the proper use of computer monitors, computer printers, computer power supply or UPS, modems and routers.

              4.2. Guidelines on the proper usage of electronic, medical, technological and communication gadgets which are known to emit harmful man-made radiations.

              4.3. Specific laws on the proper installation and placement of wireless networks, routers and modems.

            4.4. Guidelines on the proper distance needed to avoid reception of ELF or Extremely Low Frequency television radiation.

              4.5. Specific laws on the proper use of photocopiers, microwave oven and X-ray machines.

              4.6. Guidelines or ways on how to avoid over exposure to ultra violet rays from the sun.

            5.  General Public. This would serve as information for them to find ways on how to minimize if not totally avoid prolonged exposure to radiation emitted from medical, technological and specific communication gadgets and equipment which are known to emit harmful man-made radiation.

            6.  Scholars.  This would serve as their basis to conduct further studies on the ill effects of radiation on people’s health and on the environment to benefit the general public.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study was limited to the analysis on the level of awareness of the public on the ill effects of radiation on people’s health and on the environment.  The respondents were residents of different areas in Davao City.  The total number of respondents is 400, which were taken from the infinite number of population in Davao City, and this small sample size presents limitations in the interpretations of the results.

Definition of Terms

For the purpose of this study, the terms used are defined as follows:

Radiation. Refers to any process in which energy travels through a medium or through space, ultimately to be absorbed by another body.

Ionizing Radiation.  Refers to a type of radiation sources may be found in a wide range of occupational settings, including health care facilities, research institutions, nuclear reactors and their support facilities, nuclear weapon production facilities, and other various manufacturing settings, just to name a few. These radiation sources can pose a considerable health risk to affected workers if not properly controlled.

Non-ionizing Radiation. Described as a series of energy waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields traveling at the speed of light.  Non-ionizing radiation is found in a wide range of occupational settings and can pose a considerable health risk to potentially exposed workers if not properly controlled.

Background Radiation.  Refers to the radiation which is naturally present in our environment.

Man-made Radiation. Refers to radiation which emits from modern gadgets and equipment used in medical, technological and communications technology.

Computer Radiation. Refers to radiation which emit from computer monitors, printers, UPS, modems and routers.

Mobile Phone Radiation.  Refers to extremely low level of radiation which emits from mobile communication gadgets.

Electro-magnetic Radiation.  Classified into ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, based on whether it is capable of ionizing atoms and breaking chemical bonds.

Wireless Networks.  Refers to any type of computer network that is wireless, and is commonly associated with a telecommunications network whose interconnections between nodes is implemented without the use of wires.

Microwave Radiation.  A form of "electromagnetic" radiation; that is, they are waves of electrical and magnetic energy moving together through space.

Ultraviolet Radiation.  Refers to the radiation which primarily emits from the sun.

Allergic Reactions.  Refer to sensitivities to substances, called allergens, which when contacted through the skin, inhaled into the lungs, swallowed, or injected produces reactions which defer from person to person.

Cancer.  Refers to a class of disease in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth.

Heart Disease.  An umbrella term for a variety of different diseases affecting the heart.

Alzheimer’s Disease.   A brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906.   This disease is characterized by extreme forgetfulness.

Computer Power Supply or UPS.  Means uninterruptible power supply, also uninterruptible power source, UPS or battery/flywheel backup, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source, typically the utility mains, fails.

Network Routers.  Physical devices that join multiple wired or wireless networks together.

Modems.  (modulator-demodulator) A device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. Modems can be used over any means of transmitting analog signals, from driven diodes to radio.