Are cordless phones emitters of radiation?

As reported by Schuz and
colleagues (J. Schuz, et al., "Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields emitted from
base stations of DECT cordless phones and the risk of glioma and meningioma
(Interphone Study Group, Germany)"; Radiation Research (2006) Volume 166;
pages 116-119), one important source of low-level continuous exposures to
radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) is base stations of cordless
phones that are located indoors, e.g., the Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT) standard, operating at about 1900 MHz. These
devices (both handset and base station) operate with 250 mW maximum power
output, with their base stations continuously emitting pulsed radiofrequency
radiation irrespective of the handset being in operation or not, and often with the
base station being kept close to the bed head at night. Measurements of these
base stations' electromagnetic fields reveal power densitiesbetween 4 and 170 mW/m2 for distances up to 3 metres from the base station
(maximum permitted by law is 450 mW/m2); these fields are present longterm
and this magnitude is comparable to power densities measured in residences
in the main beam of nearby cell phone base station antennae or in the vicinity of
broadcast towers.