Electromagnetic waves are everywhere. They’re the reason you can hear music when you turn on the radio, use wi-fi, find your way using satellite navigation, and make calls on a mobile phone.

They are a form of electromagnetic radiation and sit at the weaker end of the spectrum, meaning they have the lowest energy and the longest wavelength.

But because very high-energy forms of electromagnetic radiation – such as x-rays – can cause cancer, there has long been concern that radio waves could also harm human health.

With the explosion of mobile phone use over the past two decades, there has been particular concern over whether holding these devices to your ear could increase your risk of brain cancer.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned 13 reviews on the health effects of electromagnetic waves.

A new study, released today has analysed the findings of these reviews. It’s found no evidence that electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones cause cancer in the brain, head or neck. Let’s take a look at what else they found.

Did the fear of cancer have any basis?

Anxiety about the potential health effects of low-energy radiation has its roots in the Cold War.

This was the period when new technologies such as microwave ovens and televisions were first widely adopted and entered many homes.

Microwaves, the electromagnetic radiation we use to heat food, have somewhat higher energy than the waves emitted by mobile........

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