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GSM devices have become an integral part of our lives. And while quite a few people express concerns about the levels of radiation that come from GSM towers, no one really seems to stop and think about the radiation that comes from the mobile phone itself. At least, it is clear that no one is inclined to stop using his or her mobile phone just in case.

There are significant differences between the radiation levels of GSM antennae, GSM devices, WiFi antennae, radio and television broadcast Towers, DECT telephones and walkie-talkies. Measurements demonstrate that the exposure to a GSM antenna with a radiation level of 1 volt per meter for 24 hours is comparable to the radiation level a person absorbs during a four-minute mobile telephone call. If the call takes place at a location with poor reception – which causes the mobile telephone to generate greater radiation itself – then a comparable radiation level is already reached in barely 10 seconds. When reception is poor, the mobile phone device itself has to broadcast a stronger signal in order to make a connection with the tower. This fact alone indicates that the role of GSM antennae is poorly understood by the public. 

Widespread misconceptions

The use of mobile and wireless technology has clearly led to concerns among the public. However, the majority of people don’t consider it a serious danger. A study by the research bureau Synovate shows that in the public mind a GSM antenna is – wrongly – regarded as more harmful than a GSM telephone. In the list of all health risks, the respondents placed the mobile telephone in tenth place, below hazards such as smoking, air pollution, nuclear radiation and microparticles. The research bureau also concluded that there is widespread misunderstanding among the public as to the effective levels of radiation and the principles according to which the mobile phone and the GSM antenna function.

Wrong information

Nearly 70% of the respondents incorrectly believe that a mobile phone constantly emits radiation – even when it is not being used for calling or sending text messages. Over 60% of the respondents believe that the increasing numbers of GSM antennae are also generating higher levels of radiation, while in reality, it is precisely the other way around. Nearly 80% of the respondents think that using your mobile phone is safer the further away from a GSM antenna that you are. This is also incorrect: When the distance between your mobile phone and a GSM antenna increases, your mobile phone actually has to emit more radiation in order to make the connection. Despite all the concerns – even if they are not always based on correct information – only half of the mobile-phone users surveyed say that they would take specific measures (by, for example, making a conscious effort to use their mobile phones less). Some 36% didn’t think it was necessary to modify their mobile-phone use.

No reason for concern

The concerns about the radiation levels of GSM antennae made the headlines again this year because of the plan by the Brussels Parliament to reduce the radiation standards for GSM towers from 20 to 3 volts per meter. However, scientists question the plans to further reduce the radiation level of GSM antennae. “The antennae should not be any source of concern,” asserts Luc Verschaeve, Professor of Toxicology at the University of Antwerp. “Personally, I would be more concerned about radiation from the broadcast towers for radio and television. Only we don’t hear anything about that. The problem with GSM antennae is primarily a matter of perception.”

The opposite effect

According to professor Verschaev, it does not make much sense to reduce the capacity of the GSM antennae. “Actually this would change little for the population,” he points out. “It is true that the radiation in the immediate vicinity of an antenna would be lower with the new standards than it is currently. But the question is, who actually comes that close to the antenna on a regular basis?” In technical terms it is also not always feasible to reduce the antennae without creating a negative effect on the radiation from the mobile phones. According to Luc Verschaeve, there are no scientific arguments to support the notion that the current level of radiation from the GSM antennae is dangerous. “At the same time, of course, it is not truly possible to prove that something is completely harmless. Something could always be discovered that we are currently unaware of.”

Long-term effects visible?

Critics claim that the technology has not existed long enough to know whether there are any associated long-term health risks. “That is true,” says Luc Verschaeve, “but in the meantime, there has been a fair amount of cancer research conducted on laboratory animals that have been exposed to radiation for their entire lives.” Moreover, it has now been about 20 years that mobile phones have been in use. So, long-term effects should be showing up by now if there are any. “The difficulty is that there is no control population with which we can compare. Everyone is exposed to the radiation.” The fact that the GSM towers are so controversial in public opinion has been partially the effect of the media, continues Verschaeve. “Whoever shouts the loudest gets heard. Studies about the presumed hazardous nature of GSM towers are more likely to show up in the media, even when these studies are not sufficiently scientifically supported.”

Proceed with caution

Professor Verschaeve thinks that we should proceed with care. “There is nothing wrong with taking precautions. It’s just that we currently have no scientific evidence demonstrating that the capacity of our GSM towers is too high.” The same applies for the normal use of a mobile telephone, in his view. Despite the somewhat higher level of exposure, there is no reason for alarm: “Here too, there is no scientific evidence. Naturally, some sensitive people ‘feel’ something when they use a mobile telephone. However, that feeling could just as well be psychosomatic. And even if it is real, that is no reason to assume that it is harmful.”

Major advantage

“Of course we should observe the principle of caution,” agrees Martin Zizi, Professor of Neurophysiology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. “If any problems ever arise in the vicinity of the GSM towers, then the solution is simple: Antennae can be moved. However, the greatest amount of radiation right now is coming from the handsets, not the towers. The quality and the construction of mobile phones together with the calling habits of mobile-phone users: These make up the greatest risk. For 10 years I have been reading in the scientific literature that a mobile phone emits more radiation than a tower. It’s just that you never read about this in the media.” That probably has something to do with the difference in appreciation of risk. People decide for themselves how much to use their mobile phone. Everyone can weigh for himself the potential risks against the advantages of mobile communication. By contrast, individuals have no personal say about the presence of GSM antennae. “That is probably the key to the debate. The mobile telephone has given us major advantages as a society. The radiation is something we consider a price we are willing to pay for that.”

Common sense

Martin Zizi also concludes that there is currently no scientific evidence for significant risks to health. “If there was truly any danger, we would surely have observed this by now, after 20 years of mobile phones being in use,” he notes. “That does not mean that no effects will ever arise. It does, however, indirectly prove that the effect is currently very small.” In practice, it is no easy task to measure the general effect of GSM radiation on the total population and the results of studies on the cells of laboratory animals cannot simply be extrapolated to humans. Martin Zizi: “We still need to be careful. Children should not be allowed to use mobile phones for long periods of time. At the same time, the principle of caution should not be misused in order to suddenly – without any scientific basis – change the standards for GSM antennae for example. It is important that we conduct a proper debate and that we use our common sense.”   

Executive Summary

In public opinion there is a perception that the exposure to radiation caused by GSM antennae is greater than that of mobile phones, but just the opposite is true. Still, there is no cause for concern. There is currently no scientific indication that either GSM antennae or mobile phones are hazardous to health.