Global Tech

Since cell phones were first popularized in the 1980s, questions have been raised over their potential health risks. In the past 10 years, numerous observational studies have been released suggesting harmful links to brain function and sleep patterns, and to heart palpitations and various forms of cancer. Often, however, other studies have arrived at opposing conclusions.

Rare-earth minerals are essential to the production of high-tech items such as smart phones and laptops, and they are being increasingly utilized for a variety of purposes in the defense and clean energy sectors. These include elements such as lanthanum, used in camera lenses; praseodymium, for lasers and magnets; and promethium, used in atomic batteries.