Mobile Phones and Health - Your FAQ's

1. How does a mobile phone work?

A mobile phone is basically a radio - albeit a very sophisticated one. Mobile phones are small, low power devices, which transmit and receive information. They convert sound waves and data into radio waves, which are then transmitted through the air. Mobile phones are designed to operate at the lowest level needed for a quality phone call.

2. What are radio waves?

Radio waves are used to transmit and receive mobile phone calls. They are part of a group of waves called the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is a part of everyday life. Natural sources such as the Sun and the Earth emit electromagnetic waves as well as sources such as TV, Radio, household electrical appliances, baby monitors, clock radios and mobile phones.

3. What is the difference between ionizing and nonionic radiation?

Radio waves from a mobile phone are a type of nonionic radiation. This means that they occupy the lower end of the spectrum, have low frequencies and energies and hence lack the energy to break chemical bonds. If absorbed at all, this type of energy is absorbed as heat. On the other hand, ionizing radiation occupies the higher end of the spectrum. It includes X-rays and gamma rays, and has a known capacity to cause biological harm by damaging genetic material.

4. What are typical uses of radio waves?

Many uses have been developed for radio waves. Familiar applications involving telecommunications include mobile phones, alimentative, AM/FM radio, televisions, baby monitors and many more.

5. How does a mobile phone network work?

In order for mobile phones to send and receive calls, the mobile phone system requires a transmission network. The network consists of a series of antennas. When a mobile phone call is made, signals are sent to or from the nearest antenna site, which connects with the local phone network.

The mobile phone network divides areas up into cells. Each cell is equipped with its own radio antenna, called a base station.

Scientific Research

1. How much scientific research has been done regarding mobile phones?

Whilst mobile phones have only recently become widely used, research projects assessing their safety go back many years. Some 25,000 articles have been published over the last 30 years into non-ionising radiation. Scientific knowledge in this area is extensive. However, to date, there has been no peer reviewed scientific research showing mobile phones have an adverse affect on the health of the general population.

2. Who funds this research?

Major academic institutions and non-governmental agencies carry out research, a lot of which is done with no industry support. Organisations such as the World Health Organisation, and the EU have also commissioned independent research. And the Department of Public Enterprise in Ireland participates directly in EU and World Health Organisation expert groups providing advise on the subject.

3. Is there ongoing research?

As a continuous reassurance and as a response to some concerns from the public there are a number of international research projects ongoing. For example: WHO established the International EMF Project to assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of electromagnetic frequencies. Specific studies have been identified to address the issue of localised exposure. The project commenced in 1996 and is due for completion in 2005. The WHO is committed to developing public information materials and bringing together standards groups worldwide in an attempt to harmonise exposure standards.

4. International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC)

A large epidemiological study is being co-ordinated in over 10 countries by the IARC - a specialised cancer research agency of the WHO. The studies are concentrating on links between mobile phones and adverse health effects. This study is due for completion in 2003.

5. European Union (EU)

The EU has set up a 5 year Europe-wide programme of research to examine all possible health effects of mobile phones. This programme of research aims to provide a definitive study of any effects.

6. National Radiological Protection Board (UK)

The NRPB has initiated a 3 year study into occupational exposure to radio frequencies from various sources, including broadcast and telecommunications.

Health Concerns

1. Do mobile phones cause cancer?

There is no conclusive evidence that low frequency radio emissions within the established limits, such as those from mobile phones, pose health risks of any kind.

2. What are emissions levels from a radio base station?

The emission levels from a Meteor radio base station depends upon a number of factors, including the area the cell is designed to cover and the number of simultaneous telephone calls it is designed to carry. Depending on the base station, the level will normally be between 2 and 50 watts. These power levels correspond to the power of a torch bulb or to that of an ordinary household light bulb and are within maximum permissible limits.

3. Can emission levels from radio base station affect the health of people who are nearby?

Electromagnetic frequencies surrounding a base station do not cause any adverse health effects to the population. The most recent study carried out in the UK by the Government Radiological Protection Agency in May 2000, found that the emissions from base stations were 0.2% of the recommended international guidelines.

4. Does Meteor Mobile Communications take into account public concerns about possible health effects when deciding where to put its base station sites?

Yes, absolutely. Meteor Mobile Communications is aware of the public concern about possible health effects from its radio base station sites and gives careful consideration to selecting sites, taking into account not only health and safety requirements but also aesthetics and its impact on public and private views.

5. How close can members of the general public get to a base station and not exceed exposure limits?

Exposure can be harmful if people are within 1-2 metres of the antennae for any period of time. Meteor therefore ensures that antennae are high up on roof tops or masts where possible.

6. Does the size of the mast make any difference regarding health effects?

No. Radio equipment and the mast structure are two separate things. The equipment on the mast, in other words, the antennae and the high frequency point to point communication equipment, transmits radio waves. The mast itself takes no part in the transmission. It purely provides a support structure for the equipment.

7. Will a radio base station interfere with my computer network, PC radio or TV?

This is unlikely to happen. In 1989 the European Commission issued a directive (89/336/EEC) governing all forms of electronic equipment both in terms of the interference that such equipment can produce and the interference that it can tolerate (its immunity to interference).

8. Can a mobile phone interfere with a pacemaker?

There is a small risk that digital mobile phones may cause interference with a pacemaker. This interference is temporary and only some types of pacemaker are susceptible.

9. Why are you requested to switch off your mobile phone on board aircraft?

Aircraft contain a vast array of complex electronic equipment and communications systems. Using a mobile phone in an aircraft could cause interference to these systems because they are not designed to tolerate such interference. It is for this reason that the use of laptop computers, portable stereos and other personal electronic equipment is also prohibited on board. The credit card mobile phones now provided on some aircraft do not interfere with aircraft systems because they are wired to a special "base station" that has been designed to safely receive and transmit radio signals in the aircraft.

10. Can a mobile phone cause hearing aid interference?

Yes, some hearing aid users may experience interference while using a mobile. Hearing aid interference comes from many sources, such as fluorescent lights, computers and other electronic devices including mobile phones. Interference varies greatly with the type of hearing aid and depending on the level of immunity designed into the hearing aid. In Meteor we recommend that the hearing aid user try out different models of phone with a hearing aid before making a purchase to ensure they are compatible.

11. Do radio waves cause cancer, birth defects or general ill health?

There is no substantiated scientific evidence that low intensity radio waves cause any of these conditions.

12. What are the implications if there is more than one operator on the site?

In Ireland we follow the guidelines and safety standards set by the International Radiation Protection Association(IRPA) and The International Commision for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Under these guidelines, even with several operators on the site, field strengths in publicly accessible areas will always be significantly below recommended levels.

13. Do mobile phone or base station cause headaches?

There are anecdotal reports that mobile phones cause headaches. However, there is no real biophysical or physiological basis for suspecting a connection between the two.

14. Who sets safety standards and guide lines?

In the Republic of Ireland the guidelines and safety standards followed are those set by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) and The International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR) regulates these guidelines. The levels of exposure recommended are 1000 times lower than IRPA guidelines and ensure there are no hazardous biological effects.

15. Will the erection of a base station or mast effect the value of my property?

There is no reason why the erection of a mast should have an adverse effect on property prices. The erection of a large TV and radio mast in RTE's headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, has had no adverse effect on property values in the area, so there is no reason why much smaller and less powerful mobile transmission equipment should effect property values.