Can mobile phones damage your health?

There have been thousands of scientific studies into the effects of radio frequency (RF) fields on health. There is no evidence to convince experts that the low-level RF fields from mobiles and base stations can damage your health. But there are still gaps in scientific knowledge.

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.

Some scientists have suggested that absorbing the energy from mobiles and base stations could affect people’s health. This has led to articles in the media questioning whether mobiles are safe.

There are international guidelines on levels of RF exposure, including that from mobiles and base stations. All our mobiles and base stations comply with these guidelines.

The World Health Organisation established an International EMF Project in 1996, which 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.

A research study coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, known as the INTERPHONE study, compares mobile use in people who have suffered head and neck tumours with people who do not have tumours. The overall findings have not yet been published, but initial published results do not support a link between mobile use and tumour growth. INTERPHONE researchers point out that any risks from using mobiles for 10 years or more are as yet unknown.

 Read more about what the experts say.