ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • NEWS
    • Today's News
    • Global Safety News
    • Government Regulations
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product Innovations
    • Featured Products
  • TOPICS
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Facility Safety
    • Workplace Health
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • More Topics
  • CONSTRUCTION
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • COLUMNS
    • Best Practices
    • Dave Johnson: What’s going on
    • Editorial Comments
    • Leading Safety
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • ISHN Podcast
    • Videos
    • Cold Stress Education Quiz
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • MORE
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Newsletters
    • Convention Companion
    • Polls
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • JOIN TODAY!
Today's Safety NewsEnvironmental Health and SafetyIndustrial HygieneSustainability in Health and SafetyWorkplace HealthRisk Management

Digital Edition Exclusive

For Your Health & Wellness: Do cell phones pose a health hazard?

October 2, 2019

The weight of scientific evidence has not linked cell phones with any health problems.

Cell phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (RF). Over the past 15 years, scientists have conducted hundreds of studies looking at the biological effects of the radiofrequency energy emitted by cell phones. Some researchers have reported biological changes associated with RF energy, but these studies have failed to be replicated. The majority of studies published have failed to show an association between exposure to radiofrequency from a cell phone and health problems.

The low levels of RF cell phones emit while in use are in the microwave frequency range. They also emit RF at substantially reduced time intervals when in the stand-by mode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does not produce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects.

The biological effects of radiofrequency energy should not be confused with the effects from other types of electromagnetic energy.

Very high levels of electromagnetic energy, such as is found in X-rays and gamma rays, can ionize biological tissues. Ionization is a process where electrons are stripped away from their normal locations in atoms and molecules. It can permanently damage biological tissues including DNA, the genetic material.

The energy levels associated with radiofrequency energy, including both radio waves and microwaves, are not great enough to cause the ionization of atoms and molecules. Therefore, RF energy is a type of non-ionizing radiation. Other types of non-ionizing radiation include visible light, infrared radiation (heat) and other forms of electromagnetic radiation with relatively low frequencies.

While RF energy doesn’t ionize particles, large amounts can increase body temperatures and cause tissue damage. Two areas of the body, the eyes and the testes, are particularly vulnerable to RF heating because there is relatively little blood flow in them to carry away excess heat.

Source: FDA.gov

 

ISHN October 2019 Online Publication
View stories from ISHN's October 2019 publication

 

KEYWORDS: cellphones exposure assessment FDA risk assessments

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • forklift safety

    Exploring the latest technologies in forklift safety

    With more staff and more stock in warehousing now more...
    Facility Safety
    By: Josh Cramer
  • welding

    All about welder’s flash or arc eye

    A flash burn is a painful inflammation of the cornea,...
    Environmental Health and Safety
  • dangerous jobs

    The 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

    On-the-job deaths have been rising — hitting the highest...
    Government Safety Regulations
    By: Benita Mehta
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • ISHN Newsletter & Other Newsletter Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ISHN audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of ISHN or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • man wearing the the Sundström SR200 Full Face Mask Respirator
    Sponsored byOHD

    5 Fit Testing Mistakes That Could Cost You

  • This image shows Magid AcuSpex polarized blue mirrored safety glasses.
    Sponsored byMagid Glove and Safety

    Construction PPE Guide: What Crews Need for Each Task

  • lone worker in confined space
    Sponsored byAlphasense Ltd.

    GET THE LEAD OUT of your Safety Oxygen Sensors!

Popular Stories

SpaceX 7 launch

OSHA Investigating Fatal Fall at SpaceX Starbase

dust explosion

Tennessee OSHA Issues Record $3.1M Fine After Deadly Explosion at Munitions Plant

roofing dangerous jobs Getty.jpg

OSHA Finds Florida Roofing Company Willfully Exposed Workers to Safety Hazards After Worker’s Fatal Fall

top 10 most dangerous jobs

Poll

Seasonal Readiness

With the federal heat stress prevention rule on the horizon, which area of your safety program needs the most attention?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Surviving an OSHA Audit A Management Guide, 2nd Edition

Surviving an OSHA Audit A Management Guide, 2nd Edition

See More Products

ISHN Podcasts

Related Articles

  • Catching a quick nap is smart business

    For Your Health & Wellness: Catching a quick nap is smart business

    See More
  • Cellphone-related head and neck injuries

    For Your Health & Wellness: Cellphone injuries

    See More
  • For Your Health & Wellness

    For Your Health & Wellness

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781138749573.jpg

    Occupational Health and Safety Management: A Practical Approach, Third Edition

See More Products

Related Directories

  • e-Hazard

    E-Hazard is dedicated to building an electrical safety culture with you. Our electrical engineering services and training will prepare your team for any electrical safety needs or concerns. E-Hazard can help with electrical training, arc flash studies, electrical audits, electrical safety programs, LOTO, infrared scanning, NFPA 70B, consulting and much more.
×

Become a Leader in Safety Culture

Build your knowledge with ISHN, covering key safety, health and industrial hygiene news, products, and trends.

JOIN TODAY
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing