WASHINGTON-The British government, acting on recommendations of a blue-ribbon scientific panel, called for $10 million in new mobile phone-health research on Friday and for precautions in order to limit radiation exposure to children and teenagers.
The implementation of the Stewart commission by Britain’s Department of Health also will include widespread dissemination of leaflets summarizing research and advice on how to limit radio-frequency radiation from mobile phones and base stations.
The actions taken by the United Kingdom are the boldest by any government to date and could have a ripple effect in other countries. The United States does not have a major mobile-phone-health research program, though several lawmakers have sponsored legislation to create one.
In May, a group of independent experts led by Sir William Stewart, determined mobile-phone and base-station radiation that comply with international guidelines do not cause health problems for the general population.
But the Stewart Group found some evidence that changes in brain activity can occur at levels below radiation safety guides. The scientists concluded there are significant gaps in scientific knowledge about mobile phones.
The U.S. mobile-phone industry disagrees. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association insists there is substantial research that reaffirms the safety of mobile phones. The industry, according to sources, is about to be hit with a flurry of personal injury lawsuits claiming mobile phones cause brain cancer.”The [Stewart] report was the most extensive review of evidence to date on mobile phones and health and we are acting on its recommendations,” said Liam Donaldson, Britain’s chief medical officer.
Liam added, “This new research will help to improve our knowledge of health in relation to this new technology. It is essential that we provide people with the evidence on this issue to allow them to make an informed choice about using their mobile phones.”
The Stewart Group discouraged mobile-phone use by children. As such, the British government strongly recommended that children use mobile phones for essential purposes only and that all calls be kept short.
