Wireless device radiation and health facts for kids
Mobile phones, like smartphones, send out invisible radio waves. These waves are a type of non-ionizing radiation, similar to the waves used by microwave ovens. When you use your phone, parts of your head or body closest to the phone's antenna can absorb this energy.
Since the 1990s, scientists have been studying if these radio waves from phones or cell towers affect our health. Many different types of wireless devices, like Wi-Fi, also use similar radio waves.
The World Health Organization (WHO) started a project in 1996 to look at all the scientific evidence. They have said that as long as exposure to these waves is below certain safety limits, there are no known bad health effects. However, in 2011, another WHO agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), said that wireless radiation is "possibly cancer-causing" (Group 2B). This means there "could be some risk," and more research is needed, especially for people who use wireless devices a lot for a long time. The WHO still states that "no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use."
Some studies, like one by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) in 2018, found links between radio waves and certain tumors in male rats. Another study in 2019 by NTP scientists found some DNA damage in rat brains and mouse blood cells. The Ramazzini Cancer Research Institute also found similar results in rats. These studies suggest that more research is needed to understand the risks for humans.
Safety guidelines, like those from ICNIRP, set limits on how much power wireless devices can use. These guidelines mainly focus on preventing heating effects. The British Health Protection Agency (HPA) says there's "no consistent evidence" that Wi-Fi harms health, but they keep reviewing the situation. The FDA in the US says current safety limits have a large safety margin.
Contents
How Phones Connect and Exposure Happens
Mobile Phones and Cell Towers
Your mobile phone connects to the phone network using radio waves. These waves travel between your phone and a nearby cellular base station (often called a cell tower). Each cell tower covers a small area, like a neighborhood. Both your phone and the tower have radio transmitters that talk to each other.
To avoid interference, cell networks use low-power transmitters. Your phone's power output is usually very low, especially when you are close to a cell tower. Even when you're not on a call, your phone sends out small signals to stay connected to the tower. When you make a call, it sends a stronger signal to carry your voice. Most current phone networks (2G, 3G, 4G) use frequencies similar to those used by Wi-Fi and other home wireless devices.
Radio waves get much weaker very quickly as they travel away from their source. This means that your phone, which you hold close to your head, is a much bigger source of exposure for you than a cell tower, which is usually far away. You can lower your exposure by using a headset or keeping your phone farther from your body.
Newer 5G networks, which started appearing around 2019, use higher frequencies. These waves don't travel as far and are mostly absorbed by the body's surface. So, 5G networks will use many smaller antennas on buildings and poles instead of large cell towers.
Other Wireless Devices
DECT cordless phones can sometimes give off more radiation than mobile phones. This is because they send out short, strong bursts of power.
Wireless internet (Wi-Fi) equipment also sends out radio waves. While Wi-Fi routers are often close to people, their power drops quickly with distance. Laptops with Wi-Fi are often used close to people. Some people report feeling sick around Wi-Fi, but studies haven't found a clear link between these symptoms and Wi-Fi exposure.
Even though wireless routers might have similar power levels to phones, they are usually farther from your head. The HPA says that spending a year near a Wi-Fi hotspot gives you about the same amount of radio waves as a 20-minute mobile phone call. They believe Wi-Fi exposure is generally lower than mobile phone exposure and see "no reason why schools and others should not use WiFi equipment."
Health Effects Studied
Cancer Concerns
There have been rumors that using mobile phones can cause cancer. However, this has not been clearly proven. The CDC says there is no scientific evidence that definitely answers whether mobile phone use causes cancer.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in 2018 that current safety limits for radiofrequency energy have a large safety margin. A 2021 review found "limited" but "sufficient" evidence linking radio frequencies to certain brain tumors in humans, but said the evidence isn't strong enough to prove a direct link yet.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity
Some people who use mobile phones report feeling symptoms like headaches or tiredness. This is called electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). However, studies have not found a clear link between these symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic fields. EHS is not a recognized medical diagnosis.
Effects on Children
A 2017 report from the Australian Government's Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) noted that there isn't enough research specifically on children and mobile phone use. They said more studies are needed, especially long-term ones, to understand any potential risks for kids.
Safety Standards and Guidelines
To keep people safe, governments and health organizations set safety standards for mobile phones and base stations. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has widely accepted guidelines, used by over 80 countries. These guidelines set limits on how much radiation people can be exposed to.
In many places, mobile phone companies need special licenses to build cell towers. They must show that their antennas meet safety standards. Governments often encourage companies to share towers to reduce their visual impact and environmental concerns.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets safety standards in the US. Switzerland has even stricter limits than ICNIRP for "sensitive areas" like classrooms. ICNIRP updated its guidelines in 2020 for higher frequencies, including those used by 5G, adding new restrictions to protect people.
Precautions to Consider
The Precautionary Principle
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests using the "precautionary principle" when there's scientific uncertainty about a potential risk. This means taking action to reduce a possible risk even if we don't have all the scientific answers yet.
For mobile phones, this principle suggests things like:
- Using phones less often.
- Limiting use by children.
- Choosing phones with lower radiation levels.
- Using Bluetooth headsets or earphones to keep the phone away from your head.
- Making sure cell towers are a safe distance from homes.
Health Advice for Reducing Exposure
In 2011, the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer advised people to take safety measures to reduce exposure.
Some national health authorities, including those in Austria, France, Germany, and Sweden, recommend:
- Using hands-free devices to keep the phone away from your head.
- Keeping your mobile phone away from your body.
- Not using your phone in a car without an external antenna.
Using hands-free devices can significantly reduce the amount of radiation reaching your head. Some experts even suggest adding a special clip (ferrite bead) to hands-free wires to stop radio waves from traveling up the wire.
Several countries have advised children to use mobile phones moderately. Studies suggest that children might absorb more radiation than adults because their brains are still developing and their skulls are thinner.
5G Safety
The FDA continues to state that current safety limits for cellphone radiofrequency energy are acceptable for protecting public health.
Beware of Fake Products
Be careful of products that claim to shield you from mobile phone radiation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US warns that these are often scams. There's no scientific proof that these "shields" significantly reduce exposure. In fact, some might even make your phone work harder, potentially increasing radiation. The FTC has taken action against companies selling these misleading products.
See also
- Electromagnetic radiation and health
- Bioelectromagnetics
- Bioinitiative Report
- COSMOS cohort study
- Microwave News
- Radiobiology
- Misinformation related to 5G technology
Images for kids
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Cellular mobile and UHF antenna tower with multiple antennas
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US cell site tower warning sign and work guidelines
