Archived Cell Tower Information-- Resources

Over the last two decades, a large number of studies have been conducted to assess cellular phone health risks, particularly studies in human populations (epidemiologic studies) seeking to determine if cell phone use is a risk factor for brain cancer. A number of studies have also investigated the potential effect of RF exposure on cancer in laboratory animals, brain electrical activity, cognitive function, sleep, heart rate, and blood pressure in volunteers. To date, there is no consistent scientific evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to radiofrequency fields at levels below those that cause tissue heating.

Animal studies consistently show no increased cancer risk for long-term exposure to radiofrequency fields, and despite considerable effort, no plausible biological mechanism has been identified whereby RF at levels emitted by cell phones can initiate cancer.

Cell phone user’s RF exposures come from two sources. One is cell phone towers, which send signals to cell phones through RF waves. The RF fields, created by cellular base stations, in typical public areas may be equal to or les than a few microwatts per square centimeter (10-6 Watts/cm2). The cell phone itself sends signals to base station antennas with the power of thousands of microwatts (10-3 Watts). Because a cell phone is typically held against the side of the head when in use, much of the RF energy is delivered to very small volumes of the user’s body. The greatest RF exposures are from cell phones, not from base stations.

(2015, January 13). Harvard Campus Services – Environmental Health & Safety | Cell Phone Towers and Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation Safety. Retrieved August 14, 2017, from 

Worries about radiation have been persistent since the dawn of the cell phone era. But decades of scientific research have not established a firm connection between cell towers and health issues. 

“For people on the ground, exposure to radio frequency from cell phones, held against the ear, is far greater than from cell towers,” McCormick says.

McCormick goes on to state that even 30 meters away from a tower, children's exposure to RF would be "almost zero."

Depenbrock, J. (2017, July 14). NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Cell Towers At Schools: Godsend Or God-Awful? : NPR Ed : NPR. Retrieved August 14, 2017, from

Public exposure to radio waves from cell phone tower antennas is slight for several reasons. The power levels are relatively low, the antennas are mounted high above ground level, and the signals are transmitted intermittently, rather than constantly.

At ground level near typical cellular base stations, the amount of RF energy is thousands of times less than the limits for safe exposure set by the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and other regulatory authorities. It is very unlikely that a person could be exposed to RF levels in excess of these limits just by being near a cell phone tower.

Some people have expressed concern that living, working, or going to school near a cell phone tower might increase the risk of cancer or other health problems. At this time, there is very little evidence to support this idea. In theory, there are some important points that would argue against cellular phone towers being able to cause cancer.

The 3 expert agencies that usually classify cancer-causing exposures (carcinogens) – the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – have not classified cell phone towers specifically as to their cancer-causing potential.

Radiofrequency emissions from antennas used for cellular and PCS [personal communications service] transmissions result in exposure levels on the ground that are typically thousands of times below safety limits. These safety limits were adopted by the FCC based on the recommendations of expert organizations and endorsed by agencies of the Federal Government responsible for health and safety. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that such towers could constitute a potential health hazard to nearby residents or students.

(2016, May 31). American Cancer Society | Information and Resources about for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin. Cellular Phone Towers. Retrieved August 14, 2017, from 

Following a standard health risk assessment process, the Task Group concluded that there are no substantive health issues related to ELF electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public.

(2007, June ). WHO | World Health Organization. WHO | Electromagnetic fields and public health. Retrieved August 14, 2017, from

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. While some researchers have reported biological changes associated with RF energy, 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.

(2014, October 1). United States Food and Drug Administration. Do cell phones pose a health hazard? Retrieved August 14, 2017 from