One area we're interested in at River Path is factors that encourage or
discourage the adoption of new technology. "Mobile phones and health",
today's report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (the Stewart
report) is therefore of interest. Here's a brief report on the main
findings (based on my reading of the summary report).
The report concentrates on the thermal effects of exposure to RF radiation,
caused by holding a mobile phone close to the body, while also considering
non-thermal effects from phones and base stations, as well as indirect
effects (i.e. crashing your car while talking on the phone).
It argues that the "balance of evidence to date suggest that exposures to RF
radiation below NRPB and ICNIRP guideline do not cause adverse health
effects to the general population", but that "there is now scientific
evidence... which suggest that there may be biological effects occurring at
exposures below these guidelines." The report therefore concludes that "it
is not possible at present to say that exposure... is totally without
potential adverse health effects, and that the gaps in knowledge are
sufficient to justify a precautionary approach." The precautionary approach
should be followed "until much more detailed and scientifically robust
information on any health effects become available."
Children are thought to be more vulnerable to the effects of phones.
Therefore "the widespread of mobile phones by children for non-essential
calls should be discouraged. We also recommend that the mobile phone
industry should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by
children."
The report notes the importance of mobile telephony to UK competitiveness,
but argues that "in the global economy of the 21st century, a competitive
edge will be generated by developing innovative, technologically advanced
and safe products".
The report calls for the public to get lots more information - on the amount
of energy absorbed from a phone by the reader, for example. This should be
available at point of sale, on the menu of the phone itself, and on a
national website. The government should circulate a leaflet about the
dangers of phones to every household and establish a kite-mark system for
shielding devices and hands free kits.
The availability of "good quality research supported by the public sector"
is disappointing, with too many scientists studying exposure to levels and
frequencies of radiation not relevant to mobile phones. The National
Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) is criticised for its attitude to
public concerns. The report recommends it "gives greater priority to the
execution of more open approach... and that it is proactive rather than
reactive in its approach."
It also recommends "in a rapidly emerging field such as mobile phone
technology where there is little peer-reviewed evidence on which to base
advice, the totality of the information available, including
non-peer-reviewed data and anecdotal evidence, be taken into account when
advice is proffered."
In early coverage of the report, Reuters cover most of the points above,
while noting that Stewart is on record as saying he would not allow his
grandchildren to use a phone. It also cites a "source close to the enquiry"
who claims that scientists are increasingly worried by "odd findings".
According to the source: "One odd finding came up when we looked at
microwave radiation on nematode worms. That showed odd changes to the
protein structure," said the source.
The industry is putting a brave face on the report, though children are
currently a major growth market of great importance to the operators. It
will be interesting to see whether they agree to give up vast numbers of
sales, how the public reacts to an avalanche of new information, and whether
this use of the precautionary principle sets a precedent for other areas of
public concern.
Link to the report: http://www.iegmp.org.uk
Link to Reuters article:
http://www.excite.co.uk/news/news_story/home/reuters_news_20000511123026_1.t
xt
David
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David Steven
River Path Associates
http://www.riverpath.com
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+44 (0)1202 849993 (work)
+44 (0)7939 038832 (mobile)
61a West Borough, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1LX, UK
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