Local researchers say they’ve discovered for the first time the harmful effects electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones can have on the respiratory system.

A joint research team of Ajou and Konyang University collected mucocilia from the respiratory tract that protects respiratory organs and exposed them to electromagnetic waves.

After filming it with an ultrahigh speed camera, they found that while normal mucocilia were active, those exposed to electromagnetic waves were eleven percent less active.

Normal mucocilia move around ten to 20 times per second and filters dust or bacteria, but if their movements are reduced, the dust and bacteria can cause infections in respiratory organs.

Therefore, in order to protect respiratory organs from cell phones’ electromagnetic waves, people should reduce the time they spend on their cell phones and use headsets while talking on the phone.