At Vodafone, we want to continue to provide useful and relevant information to those members of the public who may have concerns about the use of mobile phones.
How mobile phones work
Mobile phones are sophisticated two-way radios that use radiofrequency (RF) signals to transmit and receive voice and data. When you make or receive a call, your mobile phone communicates with a network of low powered radio transceivers called base stations. Each base station covers a small geographic area, referred to as a "cell", and cells are interlinked to create the cellular network. A mobile phone may communicate with several different base stations during a single call which makes it possible for you to continue your call while on the move.
The base station network is linked to the public telephone network so that mobile phone calls can be made to other networks, cities and countries around the world.
Health standards
Some people are concerned that exposure to the energy carried by RF signals (often referred to as electromagnetic energy, or EME) may affect their health.
For nearly a century, people have used RF signals from a variety of sources in a number of ways, including televisions, radios, walkie-talkies and baby monitoring devices (AM and FM radio transmitters actually account for more RF signals in the environment than all other sources combined, including mobile phone services.)
The World Health Organisation, health authorities and governments around the world closely monitor the safety of radio technology and have cooperated to develop National and International guidelines to ensure the safety of mobile phone technology.
We have processes in place to ensure that all our base stations and mobile phone terminals allowed on our networks comply with National and International safety guidelines and standards.
Scientific research
The World Health Organisation (WHO) concludes that the thousands of scientific studies carried out do not confirm that exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields from mobile devices has any adverse health effects. Read the WHO conclusions and recommendations on the use of mobile devices for further details.
Evidence
Most experts agree that the RF energy produced by a mobile device is not sufficient to cause long-term changes in the body.
On 31 May, 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO classified exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, which are emitted by mobile phones, wireless devices, radio, television and radar, as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
IARC, which is part of the WHO, has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer.
IARC said in its statement:
The evidence was reviewed critically, and overall evaluated as being limited among users of wireless telephones for glioma and acoustic neuroma, and inadequate to draw conclusions for other types of cancers. The evidence from the occupational and environmental exposures mentioned above was similarly judged inadequate.
IARC concluded that there could be some risk, and therefore there was a need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk.
IARC Director Christopher Wild said, “it is important that additional research be conducted into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones. Pending on the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands-free devices or texting.”
Read the Cancer Council Australia response to the IARC Classification for radiofrequency fields (including mobile phones).
The long term trends for brain cancer incidence support the conclusions of the health experts about the unlikely risk of mobile phones and brain cancer. According to the IARC World Cancer Report 2008, the incidence of brain tumours since the introduction of widespread mobile phone use has remained relatively stable:
“After 1983 and more recently during the period of increasing prevalence of mobile phone users, the incidence has remained relatively stable for both men and women.”
Our company contributes to the $4.5 million Australian Government's electromagnetic energy research program every five years. With our parent companies, we also contribute to the international research effort. For example, the $28.5 million German and $11.8 million UK national government mobiles and health research programs have been funded in partnership with the industry on a 50:50 basis.
We continually review all significant research and we are always ready to update our policies and practices in line with the weight of recognised scientific opinion.
Steps to take if you are concerned
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information on how to effectively reduce mobile phone exposure:
‘In addition to using “hands-free” devices, which keep mobile phones away from the head and body during phone calls, exposure is also reduced by limiting the number and length of calls. Using a phone in areas of good reception also decreases exposure as it allows the phone to transmit at reduced power.’
There have been attempts to design mobile phone shields that absorb RF fields to reduce personal exposure. The WHO advises that the effectiveness of the shields is unproven. They are also likely to affect the quality of service, and may in fact increase the mobile phone's operating power.
Always read the user guide
Before using a mobile phone it is important that you read all safety, compliance and
"how to use" information in the user guide. Each phone has different design
characteristics and when operating the phone, the level of RF depends on factors such as how much data is being transferred, for how long and where the phone is in relation to the base station.
Where can I find out more?
There is a lot of information, study and research into mobile phones and health. Your concerns are important to us so if you would like to know more you can go to the following websites or give us a call at Vodafone on the numbers below. We'll be more than happy to help.
Visit
Support from Vodafone
For further information read
Vodafone's Frequently Asked Questions on mobiles, base stations and health.
Email: mobilesandhealth.au@vodafone.com
Phone: Vodafone's RF Manager on 02 9415 7002 or 02 9415 7008