Contrary to widespread public and popular opinion, radiation from handsets and radio frequencies from mobile phones are harmless.
World Health Organization (WHO) official, Edwin Edeh disclosed this at the first Digital African Week Conference in Abuja. This conclusion was reached based on evidence from scientific research into effects of mobile phone radiation. Edeh also noted that 29 percent of Nigeria’s disease is traceable to environmental factors.
According to him, radiation from handsets, radio frequencies from mobile phones are not harmful.
“The WHO arrived at the conclusion that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields”.
Noting instances of public attribution of several symptoms such as suicide and depression, he stated that no scientific evidence has been able to support a link between these symptoms and exposure to radio frequencies from mobile phones and any other related equipment.
“to date, scientific evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and exposure to radio frequencies from mobile phones and other telecommunication equipment. Despite many studies, the critical effect of high-frequency exposure to human health is simply heating of the exposed body tissue. No large increases in risk have been found or any cancer in a child or adult”.
He advised that compliance measures should be adhered with, in line with industry standards and regulations for mobile phones and base stations.
Adding to his statements, NCC’s Director for Research and Development, Ephraim Nwokonneya, pointed out the urgent need for continuous education of the public. In his words,
“the main conclusion from the WHO reviews, and most studies is that EMF exposures below the limits recommended in the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation and Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines do not appear to have any known consequences on health”
In 2011, International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC), a part of WHO appointed an Expert Working Group which reviewed all available evidence on cell phone use. This group classified cell phone use as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. This is based on its evidence from human study, radiofrequency radiation and cancer in rodents as well as inconsistent evidence from mechanistic studies.
Also in 2011, the American Cancer Society (ACS) states that IARC classification means that there might be cancer risks associated with radiofrequency radiation but the evidence was not strong enough and needed further investigation.
The United States Food and Drug Administration also contributed to this research.
“Based on our ongoing evaluation of this issue, the totality of the available scientific evidence continues to not support adverse health effects in humans caused by exposures at or under the current radiofrequency energy exposure limits…” It said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also maintains that there is no science to link health problems to cell phone use. Adding to this, the center stated that “scientific studies are underway to determine whether cell phone use may cause health effects.”
US National Cancer Institute (NCI) also adds that
“studies so far have not shown a consistent link between cell phone use and cancers of the brain, nerves, or other tissues of the head or neck. More research is needed because cell phone technology and how people use cell phones have been changing rapidly.”
