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Radio Frequency

Cordless telephone use: implications for mobile phone research.

No Effects Found

Redmayne M, Inyang I, Dimitriadis C, Benke G, Abramson MJ · 2010

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Studies measuring only mobile phone use may significantly underestimate total radiofrequency exposure because cordless phone use correlates strongly.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied the relationship between cordless phone and mobile phone use among 317 Australian teenagers. They found that students who used mobile phones frequently also tended to use cordless phones frequently, creating a strong correlation between the two types of radiofrequency exposure. This matters because most health studies only measure mobile phone exposure while ignoring cordless phones, potentially underestimating people's total RF radiation exposure.

Why This Matters

This research highlights a critical blind spot in EMF health studies. While scientists have conducted hundreds of studies on mobile phone radiation, most completely ignore cordless phones, which emit very similar radiofrequency radiation. The science demonstrates that people who use mobile phones heavily also tend to use cordless phones heavily, meaning their total RF exposure is significantly higher than studies suggest. What this means for you is that the health risks from RF radiation may be underestimated in current research. If you're concerned about mobile phone radiation, you should also consider your cordless phone use. The reality is that your brain doesn't distinguish between RF radiation from a mobile phone versus a cordless phone - both expose you to the same type of electromagnetic energy at similar power levels.

Study Details

Cordless and mobile (cellular) telephone use has increased substantially in recent years causing concerns about possible health effects. This has led to much epidemiological research, but the usual focus is on mobile telephone radiofrequency (RF) exposure only despite cordless RF being very similar. Access to and use of cordless phones were included in the Mobile Radiofrequency Phone Exposed Users Study (MoRPhEUS) of 317 Year 7 students recruited from Melbourne, Australia.

Participants completed an exposure questionnaire-87% had a cordless phone at home and 77% owned a mo...

There was a statistically significant positive relationship (r = 0.38, p < 0.01) between cordless and mobile phone use. Taken together, this increases total RF exposure and its ratio in high-to-low mobile users. Therefore, the design and analysis of future epidemiological telecommunication studies need to assess cordless phone exposure to accurately evaluate total RF telephone exposure effects.

Cite This Study
Redmayne M, Inyang I, Dimitriadis C, Benke G, Abramson MJ (2010). Cordless telephone use: implications for mobile phone research. J Environ Monit. 12(4):809-812, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2010_cordless_telephone_use_implications_3322,
  author = {Redmayne M and Inyang I and Dimitriadis C and Benke G and Abramson MJ},
  title = {Cordless telephone use: implications for mobile phone research.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2010/EM/b920489j#!divRelatedContent&articles},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, cordless phones emit radiofrequency radiation similar to cell phones. A 2010 Australian study found people who use mobile phones frequently also use cordless phones frequently, significantly increasing their total RF exposure beyond what most health studies measure.
Cordless phones emit similar radiofrequency radiation to mobile phones. Research shows people typically use both devices, creating combined RF exposure that's higher than using either device alone. Most health studies don't account for this combined exposure.
Using both devices increases your total radiofrequency radiation exposure. A study of 317 Australian teenagers found strong correlation between cordless and mobile phone use, suggesting people get more RF exposure than studies typically measure when focusing on one device.
Most health studies measuring phone radiation focus only on mobile phones and ignore cordless phones. Australian research found this approach underestimates people's total RF exposure since frequent mobile phone users also use cordless phones heavily.
Yes, research suggests cordless phone exposure is underestimated. A 2010 study found people who use mobile phones frequently also use cordless phones frequently, but most health studies only measure mobile phone exposure, missing this combined effect.