Cell Phones Probably Safe, British Study Concludes

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January 16, 2004
A British study finds no evidence that cell phones create any adverse health effects from radio frequency (RF) emissions. But the study notes that there are limitations to the research carried out so far, and mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time.

The independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) reviewed the evidence for health effects from radiofrequency transmissions, especially that published since the Stewart Report on Mobile Phones and Health in 2000. That report says the biological and epidemiological evidence does not suggest cancer causation from cell phone use.

The report concluded that there is still a possibility that there could be health effects from exposure to radio frequency transmissions below guideline levels, and said continued research is needed.

AGNIR concluded that there is no biological evidence for mutation or tumour causation by RF exposure, and epidemiological studies overall do not support causal associations between exposures to RF and the risk of cancer, in particular from mobile phone use.

A number of studies have suggested possible effects on brain function at RF exposure levels comparable with those from mobile phone handset usage, but AGNIR said it regarded the overall evidence as inconclusive.

Other studies have indicated effects of pulse modulated RF on the movement of calcium ions in cells and tissues of the nervous system. However, AGNIR found that the early results are not supported by recent, better conducted studies.

As for mobile phone base stations, AGNIR said data from a number of surveys confirmed that exposure levels are extremely low and unlikely to pose a health risk.

"The weight of evidence now available does not suggest that there are adverse health effects from exposures to RF fields below guideline levels, but the published research on RF exposures and health has limitations, and mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time," the report said.

"The possibility therefore remains open that there could be health effects from exposure to RF fields below guideline levels; hence continued research is needed,” it concluded.

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