phone Effect
What effects do mobile phones have on people’s health?
November 2006
ABSTRACT
This is a Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report assessing the clinical effects of daily exposure to mobile phones in general populations. It addresses the impact on developing head and brain tumours, other morbidity-related outcomes and summarizes the biological effects of RF and microwave radiation.
The report shows that the evidence available does not provide a clear pattern to support an association between exposure to RF and microwave radiation from mobile phones and direct effects on health. It however cautions that lack of available evidence of detrimental effects on health should not be interpreted as evidence of absence of such effects and recommends a precautionary approach to the use of this communication technology until more scientific evidence becomes available.
HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN.
This HEN evidence report is a commissioned work and the contents are the responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the official policies of WHO/Europe. The reports were subjected to international review, managed by the HEN team.
When referencing this report, please use the following attribution:
Sánchez E (2006). What effects do mobile phones have on people’s health? Copenhagen, WHO Regional
Office for Europe (Health Evidence Network report; http://www.euro.who.int/document/e89486.pdf, accessed
[day month year]).
Keywords
CELLULAR PHONES
RADIO WAVES – adverse effects
MICROWAVES – adverse effects
NEOPLASMS, RADIATION-INDUCED
RISK ASSESSMENT
META-ANALYSIS
EUROPE
Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to:
Publications
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
November 2006
ABSTRACT
This is a Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report assessing the clinical effects of daily exposure to mobile phones in general populations. It addresses the impact on developing head and brain tumours, other morbidity-related outcomes and summarizes the biological effects of RF and microwave radiation.
The report shows that the evidence available does not provide a clear pattern to support an association between exposure to RF and microwave radiation from mobile phones and direct effects on health. It however cautions that lack of available evidence of detrimental effects on health should not be interpreted as evidence of absence of such effects and recommends a precautionary approach to the use of this communication technology until more scientific evidence becomes available.
HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN.
This HEN evidence report is a commissioned work and the contents are the responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the official policies of WHO/Europe. The reports were subjected to international review, managed by the HEN team.
When referencing this report, please use the following attribution:
Sánchez E (2006). What effects do mobile phones have on people’s health? Copenhagen, WHO Regional
Office for Europe (Health Evidence Network report; http://www.euro.who.int/document/e89486.pdf, accessed
[day month year]).
Keywords
CELLULAR PHONES
RADIO WAVES – adverse effects
MICROWAVES – adverse effects
NEOPLASMS, RADIATION-INDUCED
RISK ASSESSMENT
META-ANALYSIS
EUROPE
Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to:
Publications
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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