There have been thousands of scientific studies into the effects of radio frequency (RF) fields on health. Scientists know more about this than they do about most chemicals. Authorities including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK’s Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones agree that there is no evidence that convinces experts that the low-level RF fields from mobile phones and base stations can damage your health. Their opinions are based on the entire body of scientific evidence available.
There are international guidelines on safe levels of RF exposure, including that from mobiles and base stations. Independent expert reviews have concluded that – provided mobile phones and base stations are operated within these guidelines – the absorption of energy from them poses no threat to human health. All our mobile phones and base stations comply with these guidelines and operate within safe exposure levels.
Why are people concerned?
Human exposure to RF fields is not new. But over the last 60 years, developments in information and communications technology have meant that many of us are exposed daily to more artificial sources of these fields – at work, at home and elsewhere.
The human body absorbs a small amount of energy from the RF fields given off by some electrical items, including mobiles and base stations. This is converted to heat. Our normal biological processes are very good at cooling us down, and prevent any significant temperature rise in our bodies.
However, some individual research studies have suggested that using a mobile phone could affect people’s health, and possibly even cause cancer. This has led to articles in the media questioning whether mobiles are safe, which has increased public concern about the issue. Although most scientists agree that the energy levels emitted by mobile phones and base stations are too low to cause cancer, we do recognise these concerns and take them seriously. There are still gaps in scientific knowledge and we support independent, good quality research that investigates whether low-level RF exposure has any effect on health.
The World Health Organization’s International EMF Project, established in 1996, records global research into mobile phones, masts and health and prioritises research needs. In 2006, they identified the main areas for additional research. These are:
- Long-term (more than 10 years) exposure to low-level RF fields
- Possible health effects of mobile use in children
- Dosimetry, or the way levels of RF absorbed are calculated.