Are wireless phones safe? A review of the issue

Most wireless phones and their corresponding base stations operate at a ver y low power output and in the radiofrequency Range of 800 to 2000 Megahertz . Current international guidelines protect against thermal biological effec ts in terms of the local or whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR). Pote ntial non-thermal bio-effects resulting; from the use of wireless phones ar e not established and laboratory (i.e., in vitro, in vivo) studies have sho wn conflicting results. Epidemiological studies of potential human health e ffects are few but are expected to emerge in the near future. Challenges to epidemiological research include difficult exposure assessment, selection of appropriate controls, potential confounding bias, and validation of outc ome. Scientists, community advocacy groups, and public health professionals must be equipped to critically analyze the emerging evidence within a bene fit/risk assessment framework.