After decades of concerns regarding the potential health risks of cell phones and towers, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are trying to quell concerns. The FCC recently announced that it would maintain the existing radio frequency exposure limits for cell towers, cell phones and other wireless devises at the current levels, citing that these levels are some of the most stringent in the world for cell phones.
The FCC said that it reviewed scientific data and consulted with health agencies and found that it would be appropriate to maintain the existing frequency limits. Some consumers and health advocates were concerned about some new frequencies that are part of the 5G network, but the FCC did not feel the 5G rollout warranted changes.
The FDA supported this position, stating that the currently available scientific data does not support that there are adverse health risks due to exposure at the existing frequency limits. It said that no changes to the existing standards are warranted.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) also recently reviewed exposure limits and reached the same conclusion. It agreed to maintain the exposure limits at existing levels.
Additionally, the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health and other large organizations have concluded that cell frequencies do not pose health risks.
Health Concerns Regarding Exposure
Health advocates and opponents of cellular frequency exposure are still concerned about the possible health effects of exposure. Supporting this position is that the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified cellular radio waves as a possible carcinogen, dating back to 2011. Additionally, the World Health Organization is currently completing a new study to probe into the issue and to make a more definitive conclusion.
Furthermore, Belgium, Switzerland and other countries are currently delaying 5G networks due to health concerns.
