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Is your phone frying you?

Mobile telephones: help or hazard?

Mobile ‘phones are used by 24 million people in the UK. For some, they are little more than a plaything on which to tell your mates you’re next in the queue at the Chinese takeaway. For others, they are an essential piece of work equipment, used for several hours a day.

The ubiquitous “mobie” has been linked to health effects such as memory loss, headaches and changes in mood or personality. But should we really worry? Consultant occupational physician Dr Ian Aston examines the issue.

How do they work?

Mobile ‘phones work by the use of microwave radiation.

Each has a unique identifying number which is recorded on the computer chip in the handset. When somebody calls your mobile, the telephone network supplier has an extensive network of short-range transmitters which transmit a signal on the frequency assigned to your ‘phone. The first aerial the network uses is usually the last one where a signal was recorded from your ‘phone. If there is no response from your ‘phone recognised by this transmitter, the network computer will use all the aerials in the network until there is a response from your ‘phone. The system will then set up a connection between the caller and yourself.

The signal is carried via microwave radiation and has a relatively short functional distance of a few miles. The microwave radiation is part of the non-ionising part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Non-ionising radiation is not known to cause ionisation in biological tissue which the more powerful radiation sources (X rays & gamma rays) do. Ionisation in tissues has been shown to lead to cancerous changes.

Is there a risk?

Current knowledge does not show any damage to biological tissue from the levels of microwave radiation used in mobile ‘phones. There are expert advisory groups on the levels of non-ionising radiation which are regarded as acceptable to use in mobile ‘phones; The National Radiation Protection Board and the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection set guidelines that the mobile ‘phone industry follows and all UK mobile ‘phones are designed, built and checked to comply with these standards. All new telephones are being designed to emit less microwave radiation but still operate effectively.

There have been no scientific studies which show that mobile ‘phone users have more health problems than non mobile phone users. If there is a health effect, we would expect people who work close to the transmitter aerials (where the signals are much more intense) to show effects. To date there have been no studies which show that there is any excess illness or mortality. Other studies are under way at present but the results will not be available for some time.

The National Radiation Protection Board says:

  • The greatest risk to a mobile ‘phone user is from an accident whilst distracted, particularly when driving. This is likely to be many thousand times greater than a radiation hazard.
  • There is no evidence so far of tumour formation or memory impairment.
  • Expect large numbers of people to come forward with claims that a wide variety of conditions have been caused or made worse by use of mobile ‘phones. These claims will be extremely difficult to prove.

Playing safe

The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents advises people not to use mobile ‘phones when driving, whether hand-held or hands-free. The use of the ‘phone distracts attention from driving. If your mobile receives a call whilst you are driving you should not answer it immediately, but stop in a safe position and return the call whilst the vehicle is stationary. Some ‘phones can be fitted with a personal hands free-kit using a headset and microphone, making them easier to use and more private.

Overall, the message is that there is no evidence of any major harm from the use of mobile ‘phones at present. Use mobiles when it is not possible to use a land line, use a headset and microphone if you can, and do not use your mobile whilst driving.

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