Page last updated: 28/09/09
Maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for GSM technology is a global issue that the GSMA is addressing as a priority in partnership with government, consumer and industry stakeholders.
The GSMA believes that the provision of clear and independent answers based on sound scientific research will ensure that mobile communications continue to work for the social and economic benefit of all.
1. I've
read that mobile phones can cause cancer. Is
this true?
There is no convincing scientific evidence that
the use of mobile phones can cause brain tumours
or other cancers in humans. It is the consensus
of the scientific community that the
low powered radio signals produced by a mobile
phone do not have sufficient intrinsic energy
to affect genetic material.
2. What
about other health risks?
Independent scientific institutions around the
world review relevant research as it is published.
The consensus of these expert groups is that
there is no demonstrable evidence of a risk to
human health from mobile phone radio signals. The GSMA
continues to support high quality independent research into this question.
3. How
can we be sure that this research is accurate?
Sophisticated and sensitive research methods
using well-tried models for assessing health
risks from other agents have been applied to
investigate the safety of mobile phones. Many
research institutions and the safety standards
and guidelines according to which such research
is conducted, are controlled by government and
independent bodies around the world. Research
results are continually reviewed at an international
level by organisations such as the International
Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
(ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
4. I live
close to a base station. Am I at risk?
The consensus scientific view is that there are no health risks from living near a base station.
Mobile phone base stations use low power radio transmitters to reduce interference to nearby sites. Recent measurement surveys show that exposures to base station radio signals range from 0.002% to 2% of the levels of international exposure guidelines, depending on a variety of factors such as the proximity to the antenna and the surrounding environment. This is lower or comparable to RF exposures from radio or television broadcast transmitters. It is only in areas close to the antennas that the recommended limits may be exceeded. The network operator will take steps to prevent public access to these areas by placing the antennas near the top of the mast or high on a building.
5. My
friend wears a hearing aid - can he use a mobile
phone?
Most new models of hearing aids are immune to
radio frequency interference from GSM phones
that are more than 2 metres away. Some are also
immune to interference when the phone is brought
up to the same ear as the hearing aid. The result
depends on the level of immunity designed into
the hearing aid, the nature of the hearing loss
and the type of mobile phone. Unfortunately many
types of older hearing aids may be susceptible
to interference making it very difficult to use
a mobile phone. Should interference be experienced,
there are several things that can be done which
may improve the situation:
The GSMA has produced further information in conjunction with the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA) to answer questions in more detail regarding this issue. More info
6. Why
are there so many restrictions on using mobile
phones in hospitals?
At short range, the radio signal from a mobile
phone may cause interference with electronic
medical devices. At distances greater than 2m
the possibility is substantially reduced. It
is possible for mobile phones to be used in designated
areas of hospitals, however, you should obey
any warning signs and the instructions of hospital
staff. If you use electrical medical equipment
in your home, we recommend that you seek the
advice of your doctor or equipment supplier. See also here.
7. Will
my pacemaker be affected by the signal from
a mobile phone?
Brands and models of cardiac pacemakers exhibit
a wide range of immunity levels to GSM and other
types of radio signals. Therefore, people who
wear cardiac pacemakers and who want to use a
GSM phone should seek the advice of their cardiologist.
If, as a pacemaker user, you are still concerned
about interaction with mobile phones, it has
been suggested by national health authorities
that you:
8. My
car has an on-board computer. If I make calls
whilst driving, will my phone disrupt the computer?
Tests conducted by vehicle manufacturers show
no interference effects on airbags, automatic
braking or cruise control systems during normal
phone use, despite some media reports to the
contrary. It is possible that a mobile phone
could cause an interference with vehicle audio
and remote locking systems, but only if held
close to the devices.
You should remember that care needs to be taken
- and in some countries it is against the law
- to use a hand-held mobile whilst driving a
vehicle. A professionally installed hands-free
kit is recommended. It is also recommended that
you pull over if the call is likely to be long,
stressful or complex. Safe driving should be
the highest priority.
9. Why
can't I use my mobile phone when I fly?
It is standard practice on aircraft to turn off
all types of radio transmitters and certain other
electrical devices unless they have been demonstrated
not to cause interference to aircraft systems.
There have been recent successful trials of mobile
phone use on aircraft in Europe and the USA, and plans for
commercial operations have been announced.
The GSM Association recommends that you obey
airline instructions regarding the use of electronic
devices. See also the related position
paper for more information.
10. Are
some people more sensitive to the radio waves
used by mobile phones?
Some people report a variety of symptoms (such
as headaches, burning sensations, tiredness,
concentration difficulties and dizziness) that
they attribute to exposure to radio signals from
mobile phones or wireless networks. The World
Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that
while the symptoms are real there is no scientific
basis to link the symptoms to exposure to electromagnetic
fields. Furthermore the WHO says that treatment
of affected individuals should focus on management
of the health symptoms and the clinical picture,
and not on the person's perceived need to reduce
or eliminate electromagnetic fields in the workplace
or home. See our related information paper (PDF) here.
11.
What about mobile phone use while driving?
Driving safely is of paramount importance to
everyone on today's busy roads, and mobile phones
should be used responsibly while on the move.
The industry has developed a wide range of equipment
and features to help you do this and the use
of a professionally installed car-kit is recommended.
(Note: it is an offence in many countries to
hold a mobile phone to the head while driving.)
However, the GSM Association advises that it
may be sensible to pull over during difficult
traffic conditions or when calls are likely to
be long, complex or emotional. The GSM Association
advises drivers at all times to obey the national
laws of the country in which they are travelling and to follow common-sense advice to avoid distractions.
12. I've
heard reports of mobile phones causing explosions
at petrol stations, is this true?
The GSM Association is unaware of any established
link between radio signals from mobile phones
or base stations and petrol station fires. In
fact, a 2005 report for the Australian Transport
Safety Bureau concluded that of 243 reported
incidents around the world none was associated
with telecommunication equipment, instead, many
of the fires were ignited by the discharge of
static electricity from the human body.
A seminar by the UK Institute of Petroleum concluded
that mobile phones presented a negligible risk.
There may be more tangible hazards associated
with the distraction of using a mobile phone
while operating a petrol pump. Therefore, the
GSM Association recommends that mobile phone
users respect the prohibitions of the fuel companies,
and follow any relevant advice given in their
mobile phone user guides. See also the related position
paper for more information.
13.
What are the safety standards that apply to
mobile phones and base stations?
There are a number of national and international
standards bodies that have developed safety standards
that apply to mobile phones and base stations.
These committees are usually composed of persons
with expertise in key areas and representatives
of major stakeholder groups. For specific information
you should contact the telecommunications regulator
in your country.
The majority of Western standards are quite similar
in their basic approach to limit setting, in
that by reviewing available research they determine
the threshold dose for an established biological
hazard and then incorporate safety factors to
define the allowable level. The safety factors
are intended to account for uncertainty in establishing
the threshold level.
The radio safety standards applied in some former
east European countries take a different approach
to setting of allowable levels and in many cases
appear substantially more conservative than western
standards. However, the rationale for such standards
is less well documented and with the political
changes in Eastern Europe some of these countries
have adopted Western guidelines.
Under the umbrella of the World Health Organization
(WHO) International EMF Project efforts are being
made to achieve standards harmonisation between
east European and Western standards.
Download the following flyer on the compliance
of handsets as a PDF file: Understanding
SAR (PDF, 44kb)
14. How
do we know that 3G and the other new radio
technologies are safe?
There is a large body of existing scientific
research at frequencies above and below those
for 3G services, and a growing body of science
using these particular signals. Expert groups
have not established any signal or modulation
specific effects, so the scientific consensus
is that compliance with current safety standards
provides protection against all known health
effects. In addition,
3G handsets continually adjust their power levels
to the lowest level necessary to maintain adequate
call quality.
15.
There were recent media reports of a mobile
phone attracting lightning, is this possible?
The GSMA is not aware of any scientific evidence
to indicate that mobile phone use is not safe
during lightning. Somebody who is outside increases
their risk of being struck if they are on high
ground, in an open space, near water or near
large metallic structures or trees. If you are
outside, find shelter in a substantial building
or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle with the
windows completely shut. If this is not possible,
you should follow the instructions of responsible
safety organisations.
16. Is
it safe for my child to use a mobile phone?
The current World Health Organization view is
that international safety guidelines protect
everyone in the population with a large safety
factor. In addition, in February 2004 the Health
Council of the Netherlands stated it sees no
reason for recommending limiting the use of mobile
phones by children. Mobile phones do provide
important safety benefits to children who can
use them in times of distress or emergency situations.
The GSM Association encourages parental supervision
in the selection and use of mobile communication
technologies for children their children.
17.
Can texting or playing games on a mobile phone
cause RSI?
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is used as an
umbrella term to refer to various kinds of injuries
to muscles, tendons or nerves caused by repetitive
movement of a part of the body. It has not been
medically established that texting and playing
games on a mobile phone can cause RSI. If you
are concerned, we recommend that when using a
mobile phone for texting or playing games:
If you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation, stiffness, promptly see a qualified health professional. Further information on RSI is available from NHS Direct and the UK Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has issued tips for persons texting or playing games.
18. I've
read stories claiming that mobile phones can
effect male fertility and sperm quality, is
this true?
Some preliminary scientific studies have reported
a link, however, these studies have generally
not properly accounted for lifestyle factors,
for example, diet, smoking, etc. The consensus
view of expert public health bodies, including
the WHO, is that there are no adverse health
effects associated with the radio signals used
by mobile phones or base stations.
19.
How is the industry responding to the issue
of Coltan Mining in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (DRC)?
The topic remains complicated, mainly because
of continuing violence and civil unrest in the
DRC. Finding a solution to the situation requires
the agreement and action of many other organisations
such as the DRC Government, rebel factions, the
United Nations, and others.
The Global e-Sustainability Initiative, a partnership
of Information and Communications Technology
(ICT) companies supported by the United Nations
Environment Programme and International Telecommunication
Union, has supported research on the issue. Conducted
by Fauna and Flora International, this research
recommended that key stakeholders, including
the wide range of industries that use Coltan-derived
tantalum, work towards a regulated coltan mining
industry in the DRC. Because the DRC benefits
from the income mining can provide, GeSI continues
to work with FFI and the Government to see how
mining operations can be done in a way that helps
people without harming wildlife.
The Coltan report and additional information
on GeSI are available on the GeSI
website.
20. Do
mobile communications base stations affect
birds, animals or plants such as trees?
In April 2007 a spokesperson for the British
Trust for Ornithology was quoted as saying: "I
can't think of any reason mobile phone masts
would affect them [birds]." In 1999, the WHO International EMF Project, the ICNIRP and the German Federal Office for radiation Protection (BfS) hosted a seminar on the effects of electromagnetic fields in the environment. The seminar examined whether there are effects on animals (flora and fauna) from environmental radio signals. In his presentation, the ICNIRP Chair concluded:
'...adverse EMF effects in the environment are unlikely at exposure levels comparable to reference levels for general public exposure. Some species may need special considerations.'
21.
I've read that mobile phones are causing the
collapse of bee colonies, is this true?
Media reports in April 2007 claimed that a small
German study reporting effects on bee behaviour
when a digital cordless phone was placed near
hives, was an indication that mobile communications
might be a possible cause of Colony Collapse
Disorder (CCD). CCD is being studied by a working
group of the Mid
Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium
(MAAREC). A FAQ produced by the working group
and dated 9 March 2007 lists base stations as
one cause that is not currently being investigated.>
The
United States Department of Agriculture says
that there is no link between mobile phones and
CCD. They also quote Stefan Kimmel, the researcher
who conducted the German study as saying that
there is 'no link between our tiny little
study and the CCD-phenomenon ... anything else
said or written is a lie.' Many of the media
reports included a statement attributed to Albert
Einstein but it is uncertain
whether he made the statement. In addition,
a 1981
study of bees exposed to 2450MHz signals at
much higher powers found no effect on bee behaviour.
The WHO
Information sheet Effects of EMF on the Environment concludes
that from current information the exposure limits
in international guidelines for protection of
human health are also protective of the environment.
22. Should
I be concerned about the wireless network in
my office or at my child's school?
The UK
Health Protection Agency advises that on
the basis of current scientific information WiFi
equipment satisfies international guidelines
and, therefore, there is no reason why schools
and others should not use WiFi equipment.
In addition, the WHO
concluded in May 2006 that '...there
is no convincing scientific evidence that the
weak RF signals from base stations and wireless
networks cause adverse health effects.' If
you want to know more, the WiFiAlliance and
the Health
Physics Society have produced specific information
on this topic. In May 2007, the Panorama
program made a number of allegations about
the safety of WiFi . However, in November 2007
the BBC
Editorial Complaints Unit ruled that the
program '...gave a misleading impression of the
state of scientific opinion on the issue.'
23.
Can long term use of a mobile phone affect
hearing?
SCENIHR, the scientific committee advising the European Commission, has concluded that the listening habits of most users of personal music players (and mobile phones including a music playing function) are unlikely to cause harm. However, some people may put their hearing at risk because they set the volume control very high or listen to music at high levels for many hours per day. The US National Hearing Conservation Association advises that damage to hearing can result from exposure to brief bursts of loud noise or continuous exposure to high-volume sound.
The risk of hearing loss increases as sound is played louder and for longer durations. Mobile phone users can limit the risk of hearing damage by keeping the handset volume down, avoiding prolonged, continuous listening and making calls away from background noise.
24.
Can mobile phones carry bacteria in hospital
environments?
Studies have identified that mobile
phones and other
common items, such as clothes, stethoscopes,
neck ties, pens and jewellery, worn and used
by doctors can carry bacteria. While the main
contribution to transmission of infection is
inadequate hand hygiene, the Board
of Science of the British Medical Association
recommends that healthcare professionals should
wear clothes that minimise the spread of infection;
refrain from wearing functionless clothing items
(such as neck ties) and, where possible, change
clothes when leaving the clinical setting. Similar
cautions could be applied to mobile phones carried
by healthcare professionals.Back
to Top
25.
Some scientists and the Bioitiative
report (2007) claim that there are risks
to health from exposures to mobile phone and
base station radio signals and that current
safety standards are inadequate. What do you
say to that?
The GSMA understands that people may be concerned
by such claims, however, they are based on selective
reviews of existing research and do not present
a balanced analysis considering the relative
scientific quality of different studies.
Specifically, the Bioinitiative report was criticised
for this by the Danish
government Sundhedsstyrelsens (National Board
of Health), the German Bundesamt
für Strahlenschutz (BfS - Federal Office
for Radiation Protection), and the Dutch Kennisplatform
Elektromagnetische Velden. In a specific
review report the Health
Council of the Netherlands (pdf) concludes:
'In view of the way the BioInitiative report
was compiled, the selective use of scientific
data and the other shortcomings mentioned above,
the Committee concludes that the BioInitiative
report is not an objective and balanced reflection
of the current state of scientific knowledge.
Therefore, the report does not provide any grounds
for revising the current views as to the risks
of exposure to electromagnetic fields.'
There have been many independent
scientific and public health authority reviews and
the consensus position, as summarised by the World
Health Organization, is that current international
recommendations incorporate large safety factors
and are protective of all persons.
26. Is
there any truth in the stories that radio signals
from mobile phone and WiFi are linked to autism?
The consensus of many expert
reviews is that there are no health risks
from exposures to radio signals up to the WHO
recommended international guidelines. In November
2007, a paper published in the journal of the Australasian
College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine claimed
a link between autism and electromagnetic fields.
The GSMA is concerned that this paper could cause
unnecessary alarm to the parents of autistic
children. The study is poorly described, has
no control group and makes claims on causes of autism and
actions of radio
signals that have been rejected by health
groups around the world.
27.
Are there safety benefits to using shields,
special batteries of other add on devices for
mobile phones?
Mobile phones are designed to comply with scientifically
based safety standards. However, add-on products
are being marketed which claim to make phones
'safer.' The
US Federal Trade Commission cautions that
'...there is no scientific proof that the so-called
shields significantly reduce exposure from electromagnetic
emissions...' and it has successfully challenged
a number of promoters of such products.
Batteries and other devices are also being promoted
that claim to produce a 'noise field' that will
'neutralise' potential harmful effects of mobile
phone signals. The scientific basis of those
claims is not accepted by the consensus of scientific
opinion. In addition, related studies were
not confirmed by independent
European laboratories. In August 2007 the UK
Advertising Standards Authority upheld complaints
against company that sells cosmetics for marketing
claims that electromagnetic waves could damage
the skin and making undue appeal to consumers
fear of harm.
The current
WHO advice is that:
'Present scientific information does not indicate
the need for any special precautions for use
of mobile phones. If individuals are concerned,
they might choose to limit their own or their
children's' RF exposure by limiting the length
of calls, or using "hands-free" devices to keep
mobile phones away from the head and body.'
See also the GSMA
paper Mobile Phone Shields and Patents (pdf).
28. Are
the stories that mobile phones can cook eggs
or make popcorn pop really myths?
As set out by snopes.com,
they are both myths. There is simply not enough
power from a mobile phone to produce either effect.
A mobile phone has a maximum average power of
about 0.25 watts, compared to 900 watts or more
from a microwave oven. In the case of the egg
myth, it started from a spoof
article in 2000. You can see a video of the
egg-cooking myth being debunked here.
The popcorn myth was started in June 2008 as
a Youtube
video promotion by a Bluetooth
headset manufacturer who described the videos
as 'fictitious and humorous optical illusions,
designed for entertainment.' A clue to the myth
is that the popcorn started to pop when the phones
were ringing, the phone is transmitting only
intermittently until the call is answered.
29.
How worried should I be about the reports of
exploding and overheating mobile phone batteries?
Lithium ion (Li Ion) batteries are the preferred
rechargeable battery for many consumer applications.
They also are used in commercial, industrial,
and military applications. It is expected that
more than 3 billion lithium ion cells will be
manufactured in 2008. While it is highly unusual,
there have been reports of
overheating, fire, or ruptures in connection
with the use of lithium ion batteries. The billions
of lithium ion batteries in use today and the
exceptionally small number of cases in which
a battery malfunction has occurred demonstrates
that these batteries are safe and reliable when
used according to manufacturers' guidelines.
The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) and the CTIA have developed a list of simple recommendations for consumers to help promote the safe use of cell phones, batteries, and chargers.
30. Should
a pregnant woman be worried about mobile phone
use?
In 2008, a study was
reported as showing that the children born to
mothers who used mobile phones during pregnancy
had more behavioural difficulties and hyperactivity.
The researchers said that 'the results were unexpected
and should be interpreted with caution'. A commentary
for the British
National Health Service concluded that: 'This
study doesn't offer convincing evidence that
there is a link between exposure while in the
womb or after and neurological performance in
children.'
The World
Health Organization advises that present
scientific information does not indicate the
need for any special precautions for use of mobile
phones. If individuals are concerned, they might
choose to limit their own RF exposure by limiting
the length of calls, or using "hands-free" devices
to keep mobile phones away from the head and
body. See here for
more information on children and mobile phones.
31. Why does the WHO say there is no risk from base stations when 80% of studies in its own database show increased risk of neurological diseases, impaired well-being and cancer?
The WHO's EMF research
database contains both published and non-peer
reviewed studies. It is not the quantity of experiments
but the quality of the experimental method that
is important (PDF).
For example, in the case of an Austrian
study from 2008, it has since been reported that
no base station was active during the period
of the claimed cancer increase and the report
is no longer available from the website of the regional
Styrian government who sponsored the study.
Independent health experts have criticised many
of the base station studies for technical flaws
such as poor
exposure assessment and symptom-reporting bias or inadequate
control of confounders such as age. These
studies may also be measuring effects of concern rather
than RF signals. There are many technical challenges
to conducting epidemiological studies of base
stations (PDF).
In 2004 the ICNIRP said:
'The need for better exposure assessment
is particularly strong in relation to transmitter
studies, because the relation between distance
and exposure is very weak. There is no point
in conducting such studies unless it has been
established that exposure levels vary substantially
within the study area, and measurements of these
RF levels are available.'
In September 2007, a UK
Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research
Programme (MTHR) report concluded that it
was not yet possible to conduct a study that
could provide a meaningful outcome. Recent laboratory
studies (e.g., Regel
et al., 2006; Eltiti
et al., 2007) involving exposure to base
station signals under controlled conditions have
found no consistent effects on well-being, cognitive
performance or symptoms. Overall, the WHO states that
considering the very low exposure levels and
research results collected to date, there is
no convincing scientific evidence that the weak
RF signals from base stations and wireless networks
cause adverse health effects.
32. How do you respond to the International EMF Collaborative report claims that INTERPHONE is flawed and that there is evidence of a substantial risk of brain tumours from mobile phone use?
This is an advocacy statement not a scientific review. Independent reviews from more than 30 countries and the WHO have concluded that present international safety recommendations are protective for all persons against all established health risks.
Several of the studies relied upon in the statement have been criticised for scientific weaknesses, for example, the Hardell studies were described by ICNIRP as '...particularly problematic...' due to the way the results have been reported. In other cases (for example, the studies of Lai and Salford) independent research groups have failed to confirm the findings. INTERPHONE began in 2000 and most of the included subjects have up to 10 years of mobile phone use. The published INTERPHONE studies to date show no overall evidence of an increased risk for up to 10 years of use. The researchers recommend further study due to uncertainties related to small numbers of long-term users. The COSMOS study plans to follow the health of 250,000 European mobile phone users for 20-30 years.
The GSMA supports independent research with safe guards to ensure scientific independence. It is our experience that claims of health risks are often based on small, poorly designed studies.
