Exposure to radiation from mobile phones below NRP Board guidelines may cause biological effects

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Mobile phone research underway

LONDON

 

By health-newswire.com reporters

 

An expert committee has announced details of 15 research projects into the

effects of mobile phone radiation on human health.

 

The announcement takes forward one of the key recommendations of the

Stewart report on mobile phones and health, which was published in May 2000. The

government accepted the recommendation and set aside 7.4 million to fund the

research. The projects announced today (25/01/02) will account for 4.5 million

of the allocation.

 

Among the subjects to be studied are the effects of mobile phone use on

blood pressure and hearing, possible links between mobile phones and leukaemia

and brain cancer, and the effects of mobile phone signals on brain function.

 

Sir William Stewart, chair of the LINK Mobile Telecommunications and

Health Research Programme Management Committee, said there was a need to focus

on the direct impacts of mobile phone use on health.

 

" This requires well-planned studies on people, including volunteers, using

the best possible methods, " he said. " This is what our programme seeks to do.

The programme management committee will work closely with researchers to help

wherever possible. "

 

Sir William's 2000 report concluded that exposure to radiation emissions

from mobile phones at levels below National Radiological Protection Board

guidelines might cause biological effects, and that a precautionary approach to

the use of mobile phone technologies should be adopted until robust information

on health effects had been amassed.

 

Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper said the projects announced today

would make the UK the world leader in mobile phone research.

 

" We need to fill the gaps in our scientific knowledge as soon as possible

so that we can provide people with the evidence they need to make an informed

choice about using their mobile phones, " she said.

 

The Department of Health is reiterating advice to consumers that calls be

kept short and specific absorption rate (SAR) values considered when buying a

mobile phone. Children under the age of 16 should particularly be encouraged to

keep calls short and only use mobile phones for essential purposes.

 

Health Secretary Alan Milburn has written to the chief executives of

mobile phone retailers reminding them of existing guidance and asking them to

ensure customers are given copies of the government guidelines.

 

© Health Media Ltd 2002

 

http://www.health-news.co.uk