Health risks of mobile phones debunked: WHO-commissioned review

A systematic review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that there is no link between mobile phone use and head cancers.

This review, led by Associate Professor Ken Karipidis from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the evidence.

According to Associate Professor Karipidis, “When the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio wave exposure as a possible carcinogen to humans in 2013, it was largely based on limited evidence from human observational studies.”

The current systematic review, however, draws on a much larger dataset than the IARC’s earlier assessment. It includes more recent and comprehensive studies, allowing for greater confidence in the conclusion that exposure to radio waves from wireless technology is not a human health hazard.

The WHO is preparing an Environmental Health Criterion Monograph on the health effects of radio wave exposure, which will incorporate this systematic review along with other studies commissioned by the organisation.

Read also: Balancing connectivity and environmental health: Radio wave study insights

Associate Professor emphasised that “Health effects from wireless technology is one of the most researched health topics.”

The review considered over 5,000 studies published between 1994 and 2022, with 63 studies included in the final analysis.

Importantly, the findings of this review are consistent with previous research conducted by ARPANSA, which has shown that despite the massive increase in wireless technology use over the past 20 years, there has been no rise in the incidence of brain cancers.

As Australia’s primary radiation protection authority, ARPANSA remains committed to researching and assessing all available scientific evidence to maintain its radio wave exposure standards and public health advice.

Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.

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Adrianne Saplagio
Adrianne Saplagio
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.