Health Reports

Mobile phones are part of our way of life.

Today in the UK, there are around 70 million mobile phone subscriptions, compared to 9 million in 1997/8. However, this rapid growth has been accompanied by a perception that exposures to radio waves - from mobile phones and base stations - may pose a health risk.

The balance of evidence from research to date suggests this is not the case. However, gaps in scientific knowledge have prompted calls for further study to be conducted. This is happening in the UK and around the world.

Below is a brief outline of some of the recent health reviews that have examined mobile phone technology and health, and their findings relevant to mobile phones and base stations.

Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s Independent Expert Group's report on Electromagnetic Fields

March 2008

This is the fifth annual report from the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s (SSI) Independent Expert Group (IEG) on Electromagnetic Fields and focuses on recent research on mobile phone telephony and health risks.The report, which covers 2007, is divided into four different frequency fields, static, extremely low, intermediate and radio frequency fields.

The key issue of exposure from base stations again states: "The few studies that have been published on health risks among populations living near transmitters have had major methodological shortcomings. However, the exposure to the general population that results from transmitters is very weak and one would not expect such exposure to produce a health risk as discussed in the previous report. Indeed, one would assume that if RF exposure at low levels is associated with a health risk it would be considerably easier to detect it in studies of mobile phone users, or highly exposed occupational groups. The overall conclusion is that exposure from transmitters is unlikely to be a health risk"(p54)

The full report can be found at http://www.ssi.se/ssi_rapporter/pdf/ssi_rapp_2008_12.pdf  

UK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme progress report by the Programme Management Committee

September 2007

This report describes the progress of the MTHR programme which was established in 2001 on the recommendation of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (Stewart Committee). The overall conclusion of the report is that, “None of the research supported by the Programme and published so far demonstrates that biological or adverse health effects are produced by radiofrequency exposure from mobile phones."

The full report can be found at: http://www.mthr.org.uk/documents/MTHR_report_2007.pdf

Royal Society of Canada's (RSC) Expert Panel on potential health risks of radiofrequency fields from wireless telecommunication devices

June 2007   

This update report by the RSC Canadian Expert Panel sets out advances in research on radio frequency fields and health for the period 2001-2003. The report is a follow up to the panel's original 1999 publication and an update published in 2001.

The full report can be found at: http://www.rsc.ca//files/publications/expert_panels/RF//expert_panel_radiofrequency_update2.pdf

The Swiss Research Foundation on Mobile Communications Annual Report 2006

June 2007

The Swiss Research Foundation, located in Zurich, is a non-profit foundation. Its aims are: to promote innovative research about opportunities and risks associated with mobile communication, to publish research results in scientific journals, to collate and disseminate scientific insights to the public at large, and to improve communication among stakeholders. This report provides information about the activities of the Foundation in 2006 and in particular provides details of the research projects that it funded.

The full report can be found at: http://www.mobile-research.ethz.ch/var/jb2006.pdf

Irish Government's Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields

March 2007

This report was compiled by a group of experts on electromagnetic fields (EMF). The Expert Group was established and funded by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with the following terms of reference:

1) The Expert Group will focus on issues of public exposure, rather than examining occupational exposure.
2) The report produced by the Expert Group will be aimed at Government and the public, rather than the scientific community.
3) The Expert Group will consult with Industry, recognised national and international experts and the wider community in order to complete its report.
4) In future, the Expert Group may be requested to take part in some ongoing monitoring; in order to update the Irish Government's position in light of new scientific publications or reports.
The conclusions of the Expert Group are consistent withy those of similar reviews conducted by authoritative national and international agencies

The full report can be found at http:/w/ww.dcmnr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/9E29937F-1A27-4A16-A8C3-F403A623300C/0/ElectromagneticReport.pdf

Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s Independent Expert Group's report on Electromagnetic Fields

March 2007

This is the fourth annual report from the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s (SSI) Independent Expert Group (IEG) on Electromagnetic Fields and focuses on recent research on mobile phone telephony and health risks.

An update on the key issue of exposure from base stations states: "The few studies that have been published on health risks among populations living near transmitters have had major methodological shortcomings [IEGEMF 2003; IEGEMF 2005; IEGEMF 2006 (current report)]. However, the exposure to the general population that results from transmitters is very weak and one would not expect such exposure to produce a health risk as discussed in the previous report [IEGEMF 2003]. Indeed, one would assume that if RF exposure at low levels is associated with a health risk it would be considerably easier to detect it in studies of mobile phone users, or highly exposed occupational groups. The overall conclusion is that exposure from transmitters is unlikely to be a health risk." (p35/36)

Health Council of the Netherlands Electromagnetic Fields Annual Update 2006

February 2007
(English version begins on page 53) 

On 6 March 2000 the President of the Council therefore set up the Electromagnetic Fields Committee. The Committee was initially established for a period of four years, but its mandate has subsequently been extended by two years at a time and currently runs to the end of 2007. The task of the the Committee is to regularly report on scientific developments in the area of electromagnetic fields, as it does in this Annual Update 2006.

This Annual Update deals with two subjects: UMTS and DECT. It is the fourth time that that the Committee uses this format to report on important scientific developments in this way. Previous Annual Updates were published in May 2001, January 2004 and November 2005.

The report's conclusions include: No effect on well-being and cognitive functions, experimental studies do not show effects with short-term exposure and normal use of DECT does not lead to exceeding of exposure limits.

The report can be found at http://www.healthcouncil.nl/pdf.php?ID=1505&p=1

Institute of Engineering and Technology - Position Statement on the Possible Health Effects of Mobile Phones & Electricity Distribution

May 2006

The Institution of Engineering and Technology – the “IET” (formerly the Institution of Electrical Engineers – the IEE) Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group on Low-level Electromagnetic Fields (the “Group”) has concluded that the balance of scientific evidence to date does not indicate that harmful effects occur in humans due to low-level exposure to electromagnetic fields (“EMF”). This conclusion remains the same as that reached in its previous position statements, the last being in May 2004, and has not been substantially challenged by the peer-reviewed literature published in the past two years.

The paper can be found at http://www.theiet.org/factfiles/bioeffects/postat02final.cfm?type=pdf

WHO Factsheet Electromagnetic fields and public health Base stations and wireless technologies

May 2006

The World Health Organisation has published a new fact sheet, which provides further information on and summaries of health concerns, protection standards, public perceptions of risk and WHO initiatives.

The Fact Sheet concludes: "Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects."

The fact sheet can be found at www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html

Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s Independent Expert Group's report on Electromagnetic Fields

December 2005

This is the third annual report from the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s (SSI) Independent Expert Group (IEG) on Electromagnetic Fields and focuses on recent research on mobile phone telephony and health risks.

The full report can be found at www.ssi.se/PdfUpload/SSI_EMF_2005.pdf

'World Health Organisation Leaflet on Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity'

December 2005

The leaflet sets out the following conclusion: 'EHS is characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms that differ from individual to individual. The symptoms are certainly real and can vary widely in their severity. Whatever its cause, EHS can be a disabling problem for the affected individual. EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to EMF exposure. Further, EHS is not a medical diagnosis, nor is it clear that it represents a single medical problem.'

The leaflet can be found at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs296/en/

Health Council of the Netherlands Electromagnetic Fields Annual Update 2005

November 2005

The Electromagnetic Fields Committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands has been asked to regularly report on scientific developments relating to possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. The committee drafts Annual Updates, which are evaluated in their final stage by the Standing Committee on Radiation Hygiene of the Health Council. This is the third publication in this series.

The Annual Update 2005 discusses a variety of subjects related to the possible effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (for instance in association with living near mobile telephony base stations) and exposure to low frequency fields (for instance related to the use of electrical blankets).

The report includes comments across a range of health concerns including cancer clusters, TNO study, Interphone, REFLEX and electrosensitivity and specifically comments on the base station & cancer studies undertaken in the towns of Naila in Germany and Natanya in Israel.

The report can be found at  http://www.gr.nl/pdf.php?ID=1281&p=1

The French Agency for Environmental Health Safety (AFSSE) - Opinion on Mobile Telephony

May 2005

The Agency was created by an Act of Parliament in May 2001 and its mission is to contribute to the safety of environmental health and assess health risks relating to the environment. The Opinion on mobile telephony given by AFSSE is based on the conclusions of a report by an Expert Group. The 2001 and 2003 Expert Group's reports had concluded an absence of health effects due to waves emitted from base stations. The Expert Group submitted a further report to the Agency on 18 February 2005 which stated: "More recent scientific data do not cause this* conclusion to be called into question." (* 2001 & 2003 conclusion)

British Medical Association (BMA) - Mobile Phones and Health - an update

January 2005

The British Medical Association represents doctors from all branches of medicine all over the UK.

The BMA update provides a brief outline of some of the most important research and policy developments in this field since its initial report published in May 2001.

The update concludes by stating "The BMA’s 2001 recommendation to adopt a precautionary approach to mobile phones while research remains inconclusive is still valid. This is compatible with the Government’s own policy. The BMA continues to support the ongoing national and international commitment to research into possible adverse effects of mobile phones. We will continue to keep a watching brief on forthcoming research and policy."

US Food and Drugs Agency (FDA) - Response to NRPB Report on Mobile Phones and Health

January 2005

The FDA is the regulator in the USA responsible for monitoring the health effects of wireless telephones. It has the authority to take action if a wireless phone produces hazardous levels of RF energy. As a result of the NRPB’s report being published, the FDA issued a response which included the following statements:

“FDA agrees with the NRPB on its conclusions that there is "no hard evidence of adverse health effects on the general public " from exposure to radiofrequency energy while using wireless communication devices. A few studies have suggested low levels of radiofrequency energy exposure could accelerate the development of cancer in laboratory animals, however these studies have failed to be replicated and the vast majority of studies reported in the scientific literature show no adverse heath effect associated with low levels of radio frequency energy exposure.”

“With regards to the safety and use of cell phones by children, the scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless communication devices including children.”

Documents of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) Mobile Phones and Health 2004 Volume 15 No 5 2004

January 2005

At the time of the publication of the review of the science by the NRPBs Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR January 2004) the Board of the NRPB stated that in mid to late 2004 it expected to review and proffer overall advice to the public on mobile phone technologies and health. This report is the result of the Board’s deliberations.

The advice in the Board’s report is consistent with the reassuring conclusion reached by the NRPB’s Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) twelve months previous, when it found that the weight of scientific evidence available does not suggest that mobile technologies operating within international health and safety guidelines cause illness.

The key point made as part of the NRPB’s advice is that: “In the UK, there is a lack of hard information showing that the mobile phone systems in use are damaging to health. It is important to emphasise this crucial point.”

The overall conclusion of the report is that the Board believes that “the main conclusions reached in the Stewart Report in 2000 still apply today and that a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technology should continue to be adopted.”

National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) Report W65

January 2005

The report by two NRPB authors brings together information from the substantial number of reviews produced by national and international committees, expert groups and agencies into health effects of mobile phones and health since the publication of the Stewart Report in May 2000. These reports had reviewed the relevant literature, formed conclusions on the likelihood of adverse health effects, and made recommendations for additional research.

The intention of the NRPB report was to bring the information from the various sources together and highlight any commonality or differences of opinion.

The report concludes that most of the 26 reports examined reached similar conclusions and made comparable recommendations. The researchers conclude that:

“Overall, the reports acknowledged that exposure to low level RF fields may cause a variety of subtle biological effects on cells, animals or human, particularly on brain activity during sleep, but the possibility of exposure causing adverse health effects remains unproven.”

Commenting on the reviewed reports, the NRPB authors stated that:

“These reports stress that very low level exposures, typically of base stations, are extremely unlikely to cause any effects on biophysical grounds, whereas localised exposures, typical of those from mobile phones, may induce effects as a result of mild heating of superficial tissues close to the handset.”

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Standing Committee on Epidemiology

December 2004

The ICNIRP Committee, of leading epidemiologists, undertook a comprehensive review of epidemiological studies about the effects of radiofrequency fields on human health in order to summarise the current state of knowledge, explain the methodological issues involved and assist the planning of future studies.

One of the main conclusions from the Standing Committee’s report is that:

“Results of epidemiological studies to date give no consistent or convincing evidence of any causal relation between RF exposure and any adverse health effect. On the other hand, these studies have too many deficiencies to rule out an association”

The Committee also conclude that:

“Although the likelihood is low that fields emanating from base stations would create a health hazard because of their weakness, the possibility is nevertheless a concern for many people. To date no acceptable study on any outcome has been published on this.”

Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s Independent Expert Group on Electromagnetic Fields

December 2004

This is the second annual report from the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s (SSI) Independent Expert Group (IEG) on Electromagnetic Fields and focuses on recent research on mobile phone telephony and health risks.

The Group reported on a range of topics including: symptoms (electrosensitivity), effects on memory, results from the Interphone study including acoustic neuroma and the exposure of children to ELF and RF fields. The report concentrates on RF fields but ELF fields are also reported on where appropriate.

The IEG plan to revisit each of the issues when new data becomes available.

A Common View by the Nordic Countries on Mobile Telephony and Health

September 2004

The main conclusion from the report of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) is that there is no scientific evidence for any adverse health effects from mobile telecommunications, neither from the base stations nor from the handsets, below the basic restrictions and reference values recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

They go on to state that there are reports suggesting that biological effects may occur at exposure levels below the ICNIRP guidelines and that these studies need to be reproduced and that the scientific progress in these fields of research should be followed carefully. The report states that it is important to note that biological effects do not necessarily mean human health hazards.

In terms of mobile phone use the Nordic authorities find it is wise to use, for instance, a hands-free kit that reduces the exposure to the head significantly and suggest that this information should be addressed both to adults, young people and children. They take the view that it is important that parents inform young people and children about the different ways to reduce the exposure from mobile phones.

The Swiss Research Foundation on Mobile Communications Annual Report 2003

May 2004

The Swiss Research Foundation, located in Zurich, is a non-profit foundation. Its aims are:
- Promote innovative research projects and contribute to the investigation of opportunities and risks associated with mobile communications.
- Publish research results in scientific journals.
- Disseminate research findings to the public and improve communications among stakeholders.

This Annual Report provides information about the first year’s activities of the Foundation and in particular provides details of the research projects that it funded.

Health Council of the Netherlands Electromagnetic Fields Annual Update 2003

January 2004

The Electromagnetic Fields Committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands has been asked to regularly report on scientific developments relating to possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. The committee drafts Annual Updates, which are evaluated in their final stage by the Standing Committee on Radiation Hygiene of the Health Council. This is the second publication in this series.

The Committee concluded:
"In this advisory report, the Committee provides a summary of the technical aspects of mobile phones considered to be relevant to exposure to electromagnetic fields. This is followed by a brief summary of current scientific knowledge concerning the possible health effects of such exposure. On this basis, the Committee concludes that there is no reason to revise its recommendations with regard to exposure limits. Since the strength of the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones remains below those limits, the Committee concludes that no health problems can be expected to occur as a direct result of exposure to those fields. Furthermore, the Committee feels that there are no health-based reasons for limiting the use of mobile phones by children."

"The Committee has made statements in previous advisory reports about the restriction of exposure, on the basis of the Precautionary Principle, to levels below the exposure limits proposed by the Health Council and other advisory bodies. This was partly in response to specific questions on this topic in various requests for advice. In the report on GSM base stations, the Committee concluded that in none of the three categories of non-thermal effects under review (biological effects, carcinogenesis and non-specific symptoms) were there any reasonable grounds for suspecting the existence of a health risk. It therefore saw no reason to set the exposure limits, on the basis of the Precautionary Principle, at levels below those which were proposed on the basis of thermal effects. Nevertheless, the Committee did urge that further research be conducted to determine whether the fields could cause non-thermal effects. The Committee reached similar conclusions in the advisory reports on low-frequency electromagnetic fields and on mobile phones."

The full report can be found at www.gr.nl/pdf.php?ID=886

UK NRPB's Independent Advisory Group on Non- ionising Radiation (AGNIR) report: 'Health Effects from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields'

December 2003

The Stewart Report of May 2000 (IEGMP) recommended that, "the issue of possible health effects from mobile phone technology should be the subject of a further review in three years time, or earlier if circumstances demand it."

In responding to the recommendations in the report, the government asked the Board of NRPB to undertake this further review and the Board requested its independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) to carry this out. AGNIR was set up in 1990 with terms of reference 'to review work on the biological effects of non-ionising radiation relevant to human health and to advise on research priorities.' Having reviewed the science AGNIR found:

"Exposure levels from living near mobile phone base stations are extremely low, and the overall evidence indicates that they are unlikely to pose a risk to human health."

"In aggregate the research published since the IEGMP report does not give cause for concern. The weight of evidence now available does not suggest that there are adverse effects from exposures to RF fields below guideline levels, but the published research on RF exposures and health has limitations, and mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time. The possibility therefore remains open that there could be health effects from exposure to RF fields below guideline levels; hence continued research is needed."

The Report contained specific conclusions on cellular, animal, brain activity and cognitive function studies and cancer and non-cancer epidemiology.

The full report is available on the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk

Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI) - First Annual Report from SSI's Independent Expert Group on Electromagnetic Fields

December 2003

The Swedish radiation protection authority, SSI (Statens strålskyddsinstitut) has appointed an international independent expert group (IEG) for electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health. They have been asked to evaluate the scientific development and to give advice to the SSI. The IEG will take recent major scientific reviews as starting points and discuss and assess relevant new data and put these in the context of already available information in a series of annual reports to develop a risk assessment of exposure to EMF.

The Authority's report which looked at studies on possible biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields concluded:
" This first annual report of SSI’s independent expert group looks at studies on possible biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields. The focus is on epidemiological and experimental cancer research and on blood-brain barrier damage and heat shock proteins. In none of these areas has there been break through results that have warranted firm conclusions in one way or the other. Indeed, while quite a number of new studies have been published within these areas in recent years, the overall scientific assessment has not changed markedly since the Stewart report was published and the conclusions that were formulated at that time are still to a great extent valid. It is worth noting, however, that intense research is currently ongoing in several countries. This research is often part of a scientific program that has been aimed to fill the gaps in knowledge identified by the WHO EMF Project in order for the WHO to complete its assessment of health risks and electromagnetic fields. Given the complexity of the research area it is essential that both positive and negative results be replicated before accepted. Given the increase of new technologies, it is essential to follow various possible health effects from the very beginning, particularly since such effects may be detected only after a long duration, due to the prolonged latency period of many chronic diseases. Thus, more research is needed to address long-term exposure, as well as diseases other than those included in the ongoing case-control studies."

The full report is available at www.ssi.se/english/english_news.html

Health Council of the Netherlands - Mobile Phones: An Evaluation of Health Effects, advisory report

January 2002

In an advisory report to the Dutch Government, the Electromagnetic Fields Committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands provided an overview, based on scientific literature, of whether exposure to electromagnetic fields from antennas and mobile phones can adversely effect health.

The committee concluded:

• The electromagnetic field of a mobile telephone does not constitute a health hazard, according to the present state of scientific knowledge. Therefore, there are no reasons to revise existing exposure limits.
• Properly conducted research has not demonstrated any association between frequent use of a mobile phone and symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and insomnia.
• Further research is needed to better understand the possible effects, especially long-term, of mobile phones on health.

The full report is available in French and English at: www.gr.nl/pdf.php?ID=377

Telecommunications and Health Research Programme

Begun in January, 2002 (Ongoing)

In May 2000, the Stewart Report called for the establishment of a substantial independent research programme to help fill gaps in scientific knowledge about mobile phones and health.

This was accepted by the UK Government and mobile phone operators. In February 2002, a three-year £7.4 million independent health research programme was announced. Mobile phone companies are funding 50% of the project, but will have no other involvement.

The first studies will examine:

• Possible effects of mobile phones on blood pressure and hearing.
• Whether mobile phone use effects the risk of developing brain cancer or leukaemia.
• Possible effects of mobile phone signals on brain function.
• The effects of talking on the phone and driving.

Details of the research programme can be found at www.mthr.org.uk

British Medical Association - Mobile Phones and Health, An interim Report

May 2001

The aim of the report was to summarise the current knowledge about mobile phone technology and public health by examining all the previous publications relating to this topic.

Summary of published reviews:

• Whilst there are small physiological effects there are no definite adverse health effects from mobile phones or their base stations.
• All the major professional organisations have called for more research to be conducted to address the gaps in knowledge.
• The precautionary approach should be adopted while research remains inconclusive.
• The BMA supports the international commitment to current and planned research.
• The BMA endorses the Department of Health's policy to issue information on mobile phone technology direct to the public, which should help them understand and assess any possible risks.

Zmirou Report - French Health General Directorate

January 2001

The report's objective:

• To define research that proved the existence or absence of medical and biological effects following exposure to RF emissions relating to mobile phone technology and to highlight research in this area which is ambiguous.

Conclusions and recommendations:

• They do not back the hypothesis that there is a health risk for populations living in the vicinity of base stations.
• The general overall objective for the future should be to reduce average exposure of the public to the lowest possible level compatible with service quality.
• They do not support The Stewart Report (May 2001) site sharing recommendation as installing several antennas in the same place can result in higher emissions.
• Sensitive buildings (schools, hospitals) located less than 100 metres from a base station should not be in the path of the beam of highest intensity.

Full report available in French and English at: www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/dossiers/telephon_mobil/zmirou/rapport_uk.htm

Stewart Report

May 2000

The Stewart Report was commissioned by the UK Government and conducted by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) to:

• consider present concerns about the possible health effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters
• conduct a rigorous assessment of existing research
• give advice based on the present state of knowledge
• make recommendations on further work that should be carried out to improve the basis for sound advice

It concluded:
''The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of international guidelines. However there can be indirect adverse effects on their well-being in some cases''. (paragraph 1.33)

The report recommended:
''A precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on health effects becomes available'' (paragraph 6.35)
''A substantial research programme should operate under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel'' (paragraph 5.270)
''The issue of possible health effects of mobile phone technology should be the subject of a further review in three years time, or earlier if circumstances demand it'' (paragraph 5.273)

Full report available at www.iegmp.org.uk

Royal Society of Canada's (RSC) Expert Panel's review of the potential health risks of radiofrequency fields from wireless telecommunication devices

March 1999

This report is the result of the approach made in July 1998 by the Health Canada’s Radiation Protection Bureau to the Royal Society of Canada with a request to commission an expert panel to address the public concerns over the adequacy of Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 with regard to potential health risks associated with radiofrequency field exposure from existing and emerging wireless telecommunication devices.

The full report can be found at: http://www.rsc.ca//files/publications/expert_panels/RF//RFreport-en.pdf

World Health Organisation (WHO) - The International EMF Project

Begun 1996 (Ongoing)

In May 1996 WHO launched an international project to assess health and environmental effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF).

The International EMF Project:

• reviews the scientific literature on biological effects of EMF exposure
• identifies gaps in knowledge requiring research that will improve health risk assessments
• formally assesses health risks of EMF exposure after the required research is completed

Conclusion so far:

• Current scientific evidence indicates that exposure to RF fields, such as those emitted by mobile phones and their base stations, is unlikely to induce or promote cancers.

Further research:

• A large epidemiology study across 10 countries (co-ordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer) is being conducted to identify whether there are any links between mobile phones and cancer.
• WHO is also looking into the effects of radio frequencies on human health in general, the environment and interferencewith electromagnetic devices.

Recommendations from published fact sheet, June 2000:

• strict adherence to Guidelines - RF signals in areas of public access surrounding base stations are far below international guidelines
• protective measures such as fences to be erected around some base stations
• sensitive siting of base stations

International EMF Project available at www.who.ch/peh-emf

Other Links

Dr. John E. Moulder, Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, prepared a report in October 1999 at the request of FEI on the evidence relating to radiofrequency radiation and cancer. Downloadable Acrobat pdf file (181k) of the report.What does the World Health Organisation say about mobile phones and health?

Other reviews have been undertaken by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Royal Society of Canada

Industry initiatives to address concerns

In recent years, some concerns have been about possible adverse health effects from mobile phone handsets and the base stations (commonly called masts) that constitute the mobile phone networks and enable the handsets to work.

Whilst major scientific reviews and regulatory bodies around the world continue to conclude that there are no adverse health effects, on the current weight of scientific evidence, from mobile technology, this issue has remained in the public spotlight.

The UK mobile communications industry recognises these health concerns and is committed to addressing them as transparently and openly as possible. To this end, the industry has:

• launched ten best practice commitments to better address public concerns about mobile phone masts
• ensured leaflet and website information on mobile phone health issues is widely available
• provided financial support for individual scientific studies
• committed to ensuring compliance of mobile phone handsets and masts with international (ICNIRP) public exposure guidelines
• recruited dedicated operator community liaison teams to address concerns relating to masts
• engaged in a programme of dialogue with key stakeholders across the UK
• launched training programmes in risk communication skills for its staff
• expanded use of environmentally sensitive mast solutions
• assisted with distribution of the UK Government's information leaflets on mobile phone handsets and base stations published in December 2000
• published mobile phone handset emission (SAR) values as soon as a harmonised European measuring standard was published in 2001
• cofunded the UK Government's £7 million independent scientific research programme

In addition, the industry will continue to engage with key stakeholders across the UK, through fora such as stakeholder roundtable meetings

The industry believes these initiatives constitute the best way forward to address concerns about mobile phone handsets and base stations. Stakeholder partnering will be an important part of their delivery. The industry believes these initiatives will ensure a balance is maintained between safeguarding development of mobile technology in the UK and environmental responsibility.

For more information about mobile communications industry initiatives to address health concerns, contact MOA direct on +44 (0)20 7331 2015.