Potential health risks due to telecommunications radiofrequency radiation exposures in Lagos State Nigeria.
Aweda MA, Ajekigbe AT, Ibitoye AZ, Evwhierhurhoma BO, Eletu OB. · 2009
View Original AbstractMany popular cell phone models emit radiation levels that exceed international safety guidelines, potentially putting millions of daily users at risk.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested over 1,100 cell phones in Lagos, Nigeria to measure how much radiofrequency radiation they emit during use. They found that many popular phone models exceeded international safety guidelines, with some Samsung phones emitting nearly double the recommended limit. The study suggests that millions of users may face health risks from their daily phone use, particularly children and teenagers who are more vulnerable to radiation effects.
Why This Matters
This Nigerian study provides crucial real-world data about cell phone radiation exposures in a developing market where safety oversight may be less stringent. The finding that many handsets exceeded ICNIRP guidelines by significant margins is particularly concerning given that these same phone models are likely sold globally. What makes this research especially valuable is its large sample size of over 1,100 devices and its focus on actual consumer products rather than laboratory conditions. The researchers' specific recommendation to limit phone use to essential calls and supervise children's usage reflects the precautionary approach that the science increasingly supports. Put simply, when phones emit radiation levels approaching or exceeding safety limits, the cumulative exposure from daily use becomes a legitimate health concern that deserves attention from regulators and consumers alike.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 0.0024 ± 0.0001, 0.0093 ± 0.0002, 0.1294 ± 0.0101, 0.9, 1.6813 ± 0.0094 µW/m²
Exposure Context
This study used 0.0024 ± 0.0001, 0.0093 ± 0.0002, 0.1294 ± 0.0101, 0.9, 1.6813 ± 0.0094 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 10Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 166.7x above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
This study was conducted to measure the RFR output power densities (S) from the most commonly used GSM handsets used in Lagos State and compare with the limit recommended for safety assessment.
Over 1100 most commonly used handsets of different makes and models as well as wireless phones were ...
The range of the S-values obtained varied from a minimum of 1.294 ± 0.101 Wm-2 with Siemens model R2...
The results showed that the population in Lagos State may be at risk due to significant RFR exposures resulting principally from the use of GSM. Quite a number of handsets emit power above the ICNIRP recommended value. Measured RFR power close to Radio and Television masts and transmitters are within tolerable limits in most cases, only that the public should not reside or work close to RFR installations. Phone calls with GSM should be restricted to essential ones while youths and children that are more susceptible to RFR hazards should be supervised in their use of GSM. Wireless phones are quite safe.
Show BibTeX
@article{ma_2009_potential_health_risks_due_830,
author = {Aweda MA and Ajekigbe AT and Ibitoye AZ and Evwhierhurhoma BO and Eletu OB.},
title = {Potential health risks due to telecommunications radiofrequency radiation exposures in Lagos State Nigeria.},
year = {2009},
url = {https://www.ajol.info/index.php/nqjhm/article/view/50201},
}