Friday 23 February, 2024 (modified Friday 17 October, 2025)

Electromagnetic fields and health

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Background

Research into the safety of radio signals has been conducted for several decades and underpins the human exposure limits that provide protection to all people (including children) against all established health risks.

The WHO and ITU encourage governments to adopt the radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure limits developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These were reviewed and updated in 2020.

New applications, such as 5G, wireless IoT and wearable devices, are designed to comply with relevant exposure limits. The international exposure guidelines are not technology-specific and apply to all mobile technologies, including 5G.

The strong consensus of expert groups and public health agencies, including the WHO, is that no health risks have been established from exposure to the radio signals of mobile devices and mobile network antennas that comply with international safety recommendations.

However, research has suggested a possible increased risk of brain tumours among long-term users of mobile phones. As a result, in May 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio signals as a possible human carcinogen. Health authorities advise that, given the scientific uncertainty and lack of supporting evidence from cancer trend data, this classification should be understood to mean that more research is needed. They also remind mobile phone users of practical measures for individuals to reduce exposure, such as using a hands-free device or text messaging.

Mobile phones are tested for compliance with exposure limits when operating at maximum power. A mobile phone typically operates at a much lower power level.

For mobile networks, whether 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G, the typical levels in publicly accessible areas are a small fraction of the exposure limits and similar to broadcast services.

A comprehensive health-risk assessment of radio signals is being conducted by the WHO. The conclusions are expected in 2024.

Debate

Does using a mobile phone regularly or living near a base station have any health implications?

Are there benefits to adopting the updated international EMF limits for mobile networks or devices?

Should there be specific restrictions to protect children, pregnant women or other potentially vulnerable groups?

Industry position

National authorities should implement EMF- related policies based on established science in line with international recommendations and technical standards.

Significant differences between national limits and international guidelines can cause confusion and increase public anxiety. Consistency is vital and governments should:

Base EMF-related policy on reliable information sources, including the WHO, trusted international health authorities and expert scientists.
Set a national policy on the siting of masts, balancing effective network roll-out with consideration of public concerns.
Accept mobile operators’ declarations of compliance with international or national EMF limits based on the technical standards of organisations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the ITU.
Actively communicate with the public and address their concerns based on the positions of the WHO.

The current WHO position is that international safety guidelines protect everyone in the population with a high safety factor, and that there is no scientific basis to restrict children’s use of phones, or the locations of base stations. The GSMA encourages governments to provide information and voluntary practical guidance to consumers and parents based on the position of the WHO.

Concerned individuals can choose to limit their exposure by making shorter calls, using text messaging or hands-free devices that can be kept away from the head and body. Bluetooth earpieces use very low radio power and reduce exposure.

The mobile industry works with national and local governments to address public concerns about mobile communications. Adoption of evidence- based national policies on exposure limits and siting of antennas, public consultations and information can help to reassure the public.

Ongoing, high-quality independent research is necessary to support health-risk assessments, develop safety standards and provide information to inform policy development. Studies should follow good laboratory practice for EMF research and be governed by contracts that encourage open publication of findings in peer-reviewed scientific literature.