Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wireless Technology
This page describes the non-ionizing radiofrequency used for wireless technology.
On this page:
Overview
Wireless technology, especially in schools, has become an increasingly controversial topic. The steady increase in youth cell phone use and the location of cell towers, as well as the increased use of wireless networks and devices in schools, has made the potential effects of wireless technology on students’ health and safety a concern to many parents and educators.
The type of energy used in wireless technology is radio frequency (RF). RF radiation is non-ionizing. In other words, it is not strong enough to affect the structure of atoms it contacts.
RF can be dangerous at very high levels because it creates heat, and has the ability to heat tissue rapidly. This is the principle by which microwave ovens cook food. Cell phones and wireless networks produce RF, but not at levels that can cause significant heating. For cell towers, RF energy decreases rapidly with distance and ground-level exposures are typically well below exposure limits set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Wireless technology is still relatively new, and world-wide, researchers continue to study the effects of long-term exposure. To-date, the scientific evidence linking long-term use of cell phones to cancer or other health effects is not conclusive. More research is needed to clarify the question of safety.
Who is protecting you
U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC requires that all wireless communication devices sold in the United States follow safety guidelines that limit radiation exposure. The FCC also authorizes and licenses transmitters and facilities that generate RF and microwave radiation.
Major RF transmitting facilities under the jurisdiction of the FCC, such as radio and television broadcast stations, satellite-earth stations, experimental radio stations and certain cellular, PCS and paging facilities are required to undergo routine evaluation for RF compliance whenever an application is submitted to the FCC for construction or modification of a transmitting facility or renewal of a license.
FCC has authority to take action if a wireless phone produces hazardous levels of RF energy.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA, in collaboration with the FCC, regulates wireless technology devices such as wireless computer networks and cellular phones. FDA monitors the health effects of wireless phones and has authority to take action if wireless phones are shown to emit RF at a level that is hazardous to the user.
What you can do to protect yourself
Although there is not sufficient evidence to conclude that there is a definite risk associated with long-term cell phone use, people who are concerned can take simple steps to reduce exposure:
- Limit use – reducing the number/length of calls
- Use "hands-free" devices – Using “hands-free” devices can help to keep mobile phones away from the head.
Resources
| Cell Phone Facts: Questions and Answers March 30, 2012. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Radiation-Emitting Products This page provides consumers with basic facts and information about cell phone regulation. |
Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile telephones and their base stations  March 30, 2012. 2000. World Health Organization This fact sheet provides information about the health effects from exposure to radio frequency fields. |
| Frequently Asked Questions about Wi-Fi November 28, 2012. Health Canada Frequently asked questions about exposed to RF from wireless networks, including exposure in schools. |
| Mobile Telephony and Health Protection Advice March 30, 2012. UK Health Protection Agency This page provides summary information about cell phones and base stations and provides links to other pages that provide general background information relating to the radio waves from phones and base stations, typical exposure levels of people using phones and living near base stations and relevant scientific and policy positions. |
| Radiofrequency Safety March 30, 2012. U.S. Federal Communications Commission This page contains answers to many questions about cell phones and other wireless devices. |
| IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Committee on Man and Radiation March 30, 2012. Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers This site provides a list of the Committee’s published papers and reports on the biological effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation. |
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