BASE STATIONS AND HEALTH - L1

Mobile phones rely on a network of base stations that send and receive calls and other mobile services such as video calling, wireless broadband and mobile TV. Base stations need to be located close to mobile phone users to provide good quality reception.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has issued guidelines on levels of exposure to RF fields, including that from mobile phones and base stations. These guidelines have a large safety margin built into them.

Base stations are typically installed so that the public's exposure to RF fields typically hundreds, if not thousands of times below the safety guideline level.

In relation to radio frequency emissions and wireless technology and health, the general conclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO) is;

“Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health”
WHO - About Electromagnetic Fields – Summary of Health Effects Key Point 6

In relation to base stations and health, the conclusion from the WHO is;

“Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.”

WHO Fact sheet 304

Confirmed as current position in WHO RF and Health Presentation – ITU Workshop on EMF Turin May 2013

In 2009 and 2010, ICNIRP reaffirmed the EMF safety guidelines following a review of national and international EMF research and published scientific literature.

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