Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : September 18, 2024 1:08 PM IST
Lebanon Pagers Explosion Kills 9, Over 2,750 Injured: Hidden Dangers of Pager Radiation And Disease It Can Cause
Lebanon pager explosion: At least 9 people died and over 2,750 were injured after hundreds of pager devices belonging to Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday. The blasts, which occurred simultaneously in several Hezbollah strongholds, were described as an "Israeli breach" of the militant group's communications.
In a televised press conference, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said, the injuries were mostly on the face, hands and stomach.
Hezbollah, which is banned both by the United States and the European Union is the political and military establishment in Lebanon and is backed by Iran. Hezbollah backs Hamas, which has been at war with Israel in Gaza since October 2023.
While some reports claim that the explosions were caused by the overheating of lithium batteries caused by an electronic signal breach (quite like a cyber attack), some other reports allege that a thin lining of explosives was placed inside the pagers before being supplied.
The incident has sparked global outrage and many experts have stated concerns about the dangerous health effects that the pagers can cause.
A pager is an electronic telecommunications device which was mostly used in the 1990s and early 2000s to send text and alpha-numeric messages. Pagers usually beep, vibrate, or flash short text notifications to alert or update the end user.
Pagers, also known as beepers or bleepers, is a wireless communications device that receives and displays alphanumeric and in some cases, voice messages.
There are various types of pagers - A one-way pager can only receive messages, while a two-way or 'response' pagers can also respond. The response also is an alpha-numeric text which acknowledges or replies to the original message using an internal transmitter.
The recent pager explosions in Lebanon, resulting in 9 fatalities and over 2,750 injuries, have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with these devices. While pagers are often perceived as harmless, they do emit some harmful radiation, which can have severe consequences if not handled properly.
Pagers, like mobile phones, emit two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation, which includes X-rays and gamma rays, has enough energy to break chemical bonds and cause DNA damage, leading to cancer and other health problems. Non-ionizing radiation, on the other hand, has lower energy levels and is generally considered safer. However, prolonged exposure to non-ionizing radiation can still cause biological effects, such as tissue heating and altered cell growth patterns.
Pagers primarily emit non-ionizing radiation in the form of radiofrequency (RF) energy, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation. RF energy is used to transmit signals between the pager and the nearest cell tower. While the levels of RF energy emitted by pagers are typically low, they can still pose health risks, particularly if the device is held close to the body or used extensively.
Now that we know how pagers emit harmful radiation, let us learn what prolonged exposure to pager radiation can do to an individual's health. Here are some of the deadly aftermaths of pagers explosions:
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF electromagnetic fields, which include pager radiation, as "possibly carcinogenic to humans".
As per studies, prolonged exposure to pager radiation has been linked to neurological effects such as headaches, fatigue, and sleep apnea. This can further lead to other health complications.
According to experts, prolonged exposure to pager radiation can have a detrimental effect on an individual's fertility. It can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Yes, studies have shown that excessive exposure to pager radiation can increase a person's chances of developing chronic cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.
In addition to the diseases mentioned earlier, mobile and pager radiation can cause several side effects, including:
This is not the first time Israel has been accused of a mass digital cyberattack. In 2011, a sophisticated cyberattack targetted Iran's nuclear programme and infected the industrial control systems of its Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
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