MOA joins HPA EMF discussion group

01 March 2006

Mike Dolan, Executive Director of the Mobile Operators Association, has accepted an invitation from Health Protection Agency (HPA) chairman, Sir William Stewart, to participate in a meeting of an electromagnetic frequency discussion group to be held on 2 March. HPA staff, scientists, representatives from industry and environmentally interested groups will take part in discussions about exposures to electromagnetic fields from sources such as powerlines, electrical appliances and mobile telecommunications equipment.

He said: “This initiative by Sir William Stewart will bring together industry, scientists from HPA and environmentally interested groups to discuss informally how the HPA gives advice and addresses public concerns.  The HPA already undertakes a substantial programme of engagement with the public through its website, public information print material and meetings with the public; the discussion group will form part of this work.”

He added: “The mobile phone operators would encourage the HPA to assist the public’s understanding of the science of electromagnetic fields by explaining the findings of the high quality research being carried out in the UK, on powerlines, electrical equipment and mobile telephony. In a time when increasingly complex technology is part of our everyday lives public understanding of the science behind the technology is one of the challenges faced by Government, scientists and industry.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Mobile Operators Association (MOA), formerly the FEI, was set up to represent the five UK mobile phone network operators - 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone - on radio frequency health and planning issues. The MOA website is: www.mobilemastinfo.com

2. For more information please contact Christine Jude 020 7331 2029, 07714 241924, email christinejude@ukmoa.org