Mobile phone safety - Risks of mobile phone use

Research suggests it is unlikely mobile phones or base stations increase the risk of health problems, although there is greater uncertainty about potential risks from long-term use over decades.

Some of the main safety concerns associated with mobile phone use are discussed below.

Radio wave exposure

Radio waves received and sent by mobile phones transmit in all directions to find the nearest base station. This means that some of the radio waves will be directed at your body when you use a mobile phone.

Radio waves are absorbed into your body tissue as energy, which adds to the energy being produced by your body's metabolism.

Concerns have been raised that exposure to radio wave radiation might cause a wide range of health problems, from cancer and infertility to less specific unpleasant symptoms, but so far the only known effect of radio waves on the human body is a very small rise in temperature.

This effect of radio waves on your body is measured using specific absorption rates (SAR). SAR is a measure of the amount of energy absorbed. The units of measurement are watts per kilogram (W/kg) or milliwatts per gram (mW/g). The higher the SAR, the more energy your body is absorbing, and the higher the rise in temperature.

Some mobile phones have lower specific absorption rates (SARs) than others. You can obtain this information from your mobile phone manufacturer or retailer.

Current research shows radio waves from mobile phones can cause a very small rise in temperature (up to 0.2C). However, this does not pose a known risk to health and is comparable to natural increases in temperature, such as during exercise.

Unlike more powerful 'ionising radiation', which is associated with problems such as cancer, radio waves are not known to damage or alter the DNA in human cells.

Risks to children

Children might be more vulnerable to any health risks from the use of mobile phones because their body and nervous system are still developing.

However, research carried out to date has not found any clear evidence of a link between mobile phone use and childhood cancers such as leukaemia.

Nonetheless, it is recommended that children only use mobile phones for essential purposes and keep all calls short as a precaution.

Research and evidence

Continuing research is being carried out to see if there are any substantial health risks associated with mobile phone use and base station emissions.

In the UK, large reviews of published research by the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) and research carried out as part of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR) have investigated possible health risks.

The balance of evidence currently available does not demonstrate that radio waves from mobile phones cause health problems.

The balance of evidence also does not suggest there is a risk to people living or working near base stations. Base stations do not need planning permission before masts are erected. However, schools should regularly monitor the emissions of base stations situated inside or close to school grounds.

Every year, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) carries out an audit, which measures emissions from a random selection of base stations across the country. A report highlighting the findings of the audit is available on the Ofcom website.

If you think that a base station near you needs to be audited, you can apply for it to be considered by Ofcom.

Read about recent research and other frequently asked questions about mobile phone safety.

Traffic accidents

It is estimated that you are four times more likely to have an accident if you are using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or riding a motorbike, which is why it has been illegal to do so in the UK since 2003.

Penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or riding a motorbike are currently three penalty points and a fine of £100, with a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches) and a risk of being disqualified from driving if the case goes to court.

You can legally use hands-free phones when you’re driving or riding a motorbike, but it still carries risk and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. If the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle while using a hands-free set, you could still get stopped and penalised.

Interference with electrical equipment

There is a possibility that radio waves produced by mobile phones could interfere with important electrical equipment, such as pacemakers, monitors and machines in hospitals, and electrical systems on aeroplanes.

Different hospitals have different rules regarding mobile phone use. Therefore, always check with hospital staff before you use your phone.

If a hospital does not allow the use of mobile phones on their site, they will display posters around the building saying so. All patients, visitors and staff should follow the hospital's rules.

It is generally considered safe to use a mobile phone if you have a pacemaker, but as a precaution you should keep it away from your pacemaker and hold your phone to your right ear.