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Mobile devices are already an everyday part of many people’s lives. They are transforming the way we live, work and communicate, and helping change people’s lives for the better by creating access to services and enabling economic development. Although there is no evidence to convince experts that the use of mobiles and the masts that make them work carries health risks, some people are still concerned.
Based on an in-depth review of thousands of scientific studies, the World Health Organization (WHO) concludes in its factsheet Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones that “To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use”.
If they would like to, people can reduce their RF exposure from using a mobile device in the following ways, as indicated by the WHO: “In addition to using "hands-free" devices, which keep mobile phones away from the head and body during phone calls, exposure is also reduced by limiting the number and length of calls. Using the phone in areas of good reception also decreases exposure as it allows the phone to transmit at reduced power".
This page provides a summary of information from Vodafone and other independent sources about mobiles, masts and health. Click on each heading if you would like more details.
The health and safety of our customers, employees, contractors and the public is of paramount importance to Vodafone. Our vision is to lead the industry in responding to public concerns about mobile devices, masts and health by demonstrating leading edge practices and encouraging others to follow.
Mobile devices use radio waves, also called radio frequency (RF) fields, to send and receive calls, texts, emails, pictures, web, TV and downloads via the nearest base station (these are often called masts or antennas). Many other everyday items also use RF fields to send and receive information, such as televisions, radios and two-way radios.
Each base station covers a fixed area and handles a limited number of calls at once. Many are needed so more people in more places can use mobiles, and enjoy continuous coverage as they move around. We expand our networks in the countries in which we operate to ensure we meet local demand.
Base stations use RF fields to connect mobiles to the network. The International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has issued guidelines for limiting exposure to RF fields, including from base stations. These guidelines have a safety margin built into them, and all our base stations comply. In fact, people’s exposure to RF fields from our base stations is typically many times below the guideline limit.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) factsheet on base stations and wireless technologies concludes that “there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF (radio frequency) signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects”. The WHO has no plans to conduct further research into the effects of RF exposure from base stations, as it is not considered necessary.
When a mobile device is used the body absorbs some of the RF field, and some scientists have suggested that this might be harmful. The International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has issued guidelines on limiting exposure to RF fields, including that from mobiles. These guidelines have a safety margin built into them, and all our mobiles comply. We require mobile manufacturers to test that all the devices we sell meet the guidelines.
Our surveys in Egypt, India and Turkey in December 2009 showed an underlying perception that mobile devices and base stations present a health risk, although not enough for people to change their daily behaviour. In the UK, research shows that 13% of people list mobile devices and masts as a health concern when asked.
We have committed to tracking and reporting opinion on how responsibly we act regarding mobiles, masts and health. Along with other mobile operators, we discuss the siting of our base stations with local communities and authorities. We carry out a regular global survey of expert views on how seriously we take these responsibilities, and aim to improve our efforts to reduce concern based on the results.
There have been thousands of scientific studies into the effects of RF fields on health. There is no evidence to convince experts that exposure below the ICNIRP guidelines carries any health risks, for adults or children. But there are still some gaps in scientific knowledge, and more research is being carried out to fill these. The WHO sets the priority areas for research, and we contribute funds to independent studies indirectly through national, regional and international research programmes carried out in these areas.
