Conclusions

The evidence available does not provide a clear pattern to support an association between exposure to
RF and microwave radiation from mobile phones and direct effects on health (such as increasing the
risk of cancer). However, the quality of this research and the relatively short-term data do not allow
ruling out adverse effects on health completely. In other words, the absence of evidence of detrimental
effects on health associated with mobile phone use is not evidence of absence of such effects. At the
moment, it is impossible to state that exposure to RF or microwave radiation (even below the
permitted levels) does not have adverse effects on the health of the general population. The current
evidence, however, does suggest that if there is a risk, it is small. Therefore, a precautionary approach
(as recommended by the EU (21)) to the use of this communication technology should be adopted
until more scientific evidence on effects on health becomes available.
Finally, evidence shows that the use of a mobile phone while driving translates into a significantly
increased risk of a traffic accident.