Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions about radio waves and health

1. What kind of “radiation” is used by mobile phones and base stations?

Base stations, mobile phones and other wireless devices use radio waves, also called radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) or non-ionizing radiation, to send and receive speech, text messages and pictures as well as connect to the Internet for downloading and uploading information, web browsing, social media usage, etc. Radio waves have been used for a long time in different types of wireless communication, such as radio and TV broadcasting.

It is important not to confuse radio waves with radioactive radiation. An example of radioactive radiation is gamma rays, a type of ionizing radiation generated by nuclear materials.

2. What is the status of research on mobile communications and health?

Over the past 50 years a large amount of research on radio waves and health has been conducted.

More than 30 independent expert groups and health agencies, including the World Health Organization, have reviewed the available scientific data and have all come to the same conclusion: there are no established health effects from radio waves emitted from mobile phones and base stations complying with international limits.

Read more on the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

3. Can mobile communications cause cancer or other health effects?

The vast majority of studies conducted over the course of many years has not established any link between adverse health effects and the radio frequency electromagnetic fields (radio waves) from mobile communication equipment, including mobile phones and base stations.

Read more on the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

4. Are mobile phones and base stations safe?

The World Health Organization (WHO) states in its fact sheet on base stations and wireless networks: "From all evidence accumulated so far, no adverse short- or long-term health effects have been shown to occur from the RF signals produced by base stations" and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) writes on its website: “The weight of scientific evidence has not linked exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phone use with any health problems”.

Read more on the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

5. Are there any safety limits on human exposure to radio waves?

Independent expert organizations such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have established exposure limits for radio waves based on many years of research. These science-based limits include large safety margins. ICNIRP is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the recommended exposure limits have been adopted by national authorities in most countries.

6. Why have some countries adopted more restrictive limits for base station exposure?

Authorities in some countries or regions have chosen to use lower limits, despite the availability of science-based international exposure guidelines, due to public concern often fueled by inaccurate or lacking information. Such arbitrary radio wave exposure limits do not provide any additional protection, since there is already a large safety margin incorporated in the international limits.

7. Do base stations and mobile devices meet safety standards and limits?

Base stations and mobile devices are designed, manufactured and tested to meet relevant radio wave exposure standards and regulations. Related product information on safe installation and usage is provided to customers and consumers.

8. What are the exposure levels from mobile phones?

Wireless connected devices, such as mobile phones are tested to meet relevant radio wave exposure standards and regulations. The applicable limits are expressed as SAR levels (unit watt per kilogram). SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate, which is a measure of the rate of RF energy absorption in body tissue. Mobile phones have SAR information in the user manual, including the maximum SAR values.

Variations in SAR do not mean that there are variations in safety. While there may be differences in SAR levels among phone models, all models must meet radio wave exposure guidelines.

Present scientific information does not indicate the need for any special precautions for use of mobile phones. However, the US Food and Drug Administration gives some guidance for people who want to further limit their exposure to radio frequency energy, for example using hands free equipment to keep the mobile phones away from the head and body.

Read more on the web sites of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Mobile & Wireless Forum (MWF).

9. Is it safe to be close to base station antennas?

Yes. Only in an area directly in front of the antennas can the radio wave exposure exceed the safety limits. The size of this area varies from a few centimeters up to several meters, depending on the type of base station site and the power transmitted. The antennas are to be installed in such a way that people cannot get into this area.

Read more on the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and GSMA.

10. What are the exposure levels from base stations?

Base stations use relatively low power for transmission. The antenna output power level of base stations is typically between 20 watts and a few hundred watts in outdoor environments and around a few watts or less in indoor environments.

The intensity of the radio waves is drastically reduced with increasing distance from the base station antenna. Radio base station antennas are installed in such a way that the exposure levels are below established exposure limits for the general public. In fact, typical exposure levels are a few percent, or less, of the limits.

11. Will people who live in buildings with wall- or rooftop-mounted base station antennas be more exposed to radio waves than others?

No. To give coverage over a wider area, the antennas direct the radio waves away from the buildings they are mounted on. The antennas could be compared to the headlights of a car, which light up the road, but not the car itself. Inside and around the building, the intensity of the radio waves is far below the exposure limits.

12. Are there any safety issues with indoor base station antennas and WiFi access points?

Small indoor base stations and antennas, as well as WiFi access points, use very low output power to cover a relatively small area. In fact, the exposure levels are below the international limits even a short distance (0-20 cm) away from the antennas. Typical exposure levels in the indoor environments are a few percent, or less, of the limits.

13. What about children using mobile phones and other connected devices?

The radio wave exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are designed to protect everyone, including children. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states on its website that “current scientific evidence does not show a danger to any users of cell phones from radio frequency (RF) energy, including children and teenagers”.

14. Is it safe to place base stations near schools and pre-schools?

Radio base station antennas are installed in such a way that the general public exposure levels are below established exposure limits. The limits have been set with wide margins to protect everyone, including children and teenagers. Furthermore, typical exposure levels in the neighbourhood are a few per cent, or less, of the radio wave exposure limits.

15. Are there any safety issues with the 5G technology?

5G equipment, whether it be mobile devices or base stations, meet the same safety standards as the equipment used in earlier mobile networks. Existing radio wave exposure limits are applicable also for the new frequency bands that are being made available for 5G.

5G base stations may use advanced antennas to transmit the radio signals in the direction of the connected user equipment. This technology is called beamforming, and it enables higher performance, e.g. data rates, while keeping the radio wave exposure levels below the exposure limits.

Although the number of connected devices is increasing with 5G, the overall exposure to radio waves is only marginally higher and still far below established limits.

16. What is Ericsson doing in the field of radio waves and health?

Ericsson employs rigid product testing and installation procedures with the goal of ensuring that radio wave exposure levels from our products and network solutions are below established safety limits. We also provide public information on radio waves and health, and support independent research to further increase knowledge in this area. Since 1996, Ericsson has co-sponsored over 100 studies related to electromagnetic fields and health, mostly through the Mobile & Wireless Forum (MWF) in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. To assure scientific independence, there is a firewall in place between industrial sponsors and researchers.

17. Where can I find more information about mobile communications and health?

Extensive information can be found on the websites of:

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