You've probably heard this statement: electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and wireless technology devices is dangerous for human health. However, a new study confirms that radio waves from wireless technology are very weak and do not have enough energy to damage human DNA. Therefore, they are very unlikely to cause cancer. However, researchers continue to monitor whether there are potential long-term health risks from cell phone use.
No increased risk of brain tumor
The study is the largest review on the subject to date and shows that wireless technology does not harm the human body. “On the main question - about mobile phones and possible brain damage - we found no evidence of an increased risk, including after more than 10 years of intensive exposure to the effects of such phones” says Mark Ellwood of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, who co-authored the study.
The analysis was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) over concerns that phones held close to the head emit radio waves that affect the brain. Its results are published in the specialized publication Environment International.
More than 5,000 individual studies on the topic from 22 countries were analyzed. Evidence of a link with three types of disease was sought – brain tumor (including in children), cancer of the pituitary gland and salivary glands, as well as for leukemias. “No evidence was found for an increased risk of cancer as a result of cell phone use. The same applies to radiation from the transmitters or base stations of the devices,”, adds Keith Petrie from the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Oakland.
How do mobile phones work?
Cell phones and wireless devices exchange signals using radio frequency (RF) waves. This is a type of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum, which is why cell phones are said to emit electromagnetic radiation. However, electromagnetic radiation is not necessarily dangerous. This depends on the amount of energy contained in it.
The radio frequency waves used by mobile phone networks are a form of non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation uses small amounts of energy to transmit data, far from enough to damage the human body or our genes.
This applies to all types of mobile phone networks. Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G and Bluetooth rely on radio waves to transmit data, as does VHF radio. Each type uses a different frequency of radio waves, but none have enough energy to damage body tissue or human DNA.
Radio frequency waves are different from ionizing types of radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, and ultraviolet (UV) rays. Ionizing radiation contains much more energy and can damage DNA, which is why high levels of sun exposure can cause skin cancer.
There are also concerns that keeping a phone in your pocket or leaving a wireless (Wi-Fi) router on can be dangerous, but these myths have been debunked for the same reason: radio waves do not cause cancer. Standing outside on a cloudy day actually exposes us to more DNA-damaging rays than carrying a cell phone in our pocket or leaving our Wi-Fi router on overnight.
Where is the proof that cell phones are harmless?
Worries about the health effects of new technologies are common, especially among conspiracy theorists.
„This was seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, when people attacked 5G transmitters believing they were spreading the coronavirus,” says Petri. The evidence is overwhelming that the radio waves emitted by cell phones and wireless technology do not have enough energy to directly harm the body. So far, no scientific research has found a link between cell phone use and cancer, so we can be absolutely sure that wireless technology does not cause cancer.
Author: Frederick Schwaller