WASHINGTON-A U.K. health group said there is no solid evidence mobile phones pose health risks, but recommended cell-phone use by children and others be minimized and urged the public to take a precautionary approach to wireless calling as additional research is conducted to clarify conflicting data in scientific literature.
The National Radiological Protection Board’s findings are a follow-up to a 2000 report on mobile phones and health.
“In relation to mobile-phone technology, our primary focus at NRPB is to ensure that the health and well being of the general public is not being adversely affected by this technology. Today, there are over 50 million mobile phones in use in the U.K. compared with 4.5 million a decade ago, and numbers in use have doubled since 2000. The fact is that the use of mobile phones is now part of everyday life as an important means of easy communication by industry, security services, and the general public-and sometimes even as a fashion accessory. But because everyone has one does not necessarily mean that they are without potential adverse health effects,” said NRPB Chairman Sir William Stewart.
Following the recommendations, U.K. cell-phone distributor Communic8 Ltd. withdrew from sale the MYMO cell phone targeted at children. The phone is designed for use by children in emergency situations, and it calls only five numbers designated by parents. The phone is still available across Europe through other distributors and retailers, the company said.
The NRPB underscored what it characterized as accumulating knowledge of exposure levels and possible biological effects of TETRA-based technology used by the police. NRBP also advocated higher fines for drivers caught using handheld phones while operating motor vehicles.
“The fact is that the widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon, and it is possible that adverse health effects could emerge after years of prolonged use,” said Stewart. “The evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgements has not yet been accumulated. What we can say is that there is as yet no hard evidence of adverse health effects on the general public, but because of the current uncertainties we recommend a continued precautionary approach to the use of mobile-phone technologies. This approach should be adopted by all involved in this area-including government, the mobile-phone industry and all who choose to purchase a mobile phone for themselves, or their family or their children.”
NRPB also recommended improvements be made in ensuring ready access by the public to all up-to-date and relevant information related to the use of mobile phones and base stations; the planning process associated with erecting mobile-phone base stations be subject to independent review; the legal responsibilities and regulations in relation to the installation of microcells and picocells be clarified and more information about their deployment be made available; monitoring of potential exposures from 3G base stations be carried out concomitantly with the rollout of the network; a formal inspection procedure be set in place to ensure that exclusion zones around base stations are clearly identified; and comparative information on the specific absorption rate values of different phones be made readily available to better inform consumer choice. The specific absorption rate, or SAR, is a measurement of human exposure to RF radiation.
In the United States, the courts have upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s radio-frequency radiation standard for mobile phones and base stations. New radiation guidelines for handsets and towers are being crafted by industry and government officials. Some critics, however, claim the upcoming standard will be weaker than the current one and further endanger consumers and workers.
Meantime, a handful of brain-cancer lawsuits are pending against U.S. wireless companies and various trade associations. To date, no health lawsuit brought against the mobile-phone industry has been successful.
The Food and Drug Administration, which has U.S. legal jurisdiction over cell phones and other radiation-emitting devices, issued the following statement.
“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 radio-frequency energy while using wireless communication devices. A few studies have suggested low levels of radio-frequency 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 health effect associated with low levels of radio-frequency energy exposure. FDA is working with the National Toxicology Program, the wireless telecommunication industry, other federal agencies and WHO (World Health Organization) to ensure needed research is conducted investigating the possible health effects of low levels of radio-frequency energy. 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.”
CTIA, the trade group that represents the wireless industry, said there is no disagreement about the available science. “The numerous studies performed both here in the U.S. and around the world show no adverse health effects and allegations that exposure to RF is a public health risk remain unproven. We support continued research, but believe that precautionary measures should be guided by science.”
While there is some cell-phone health research ongoing or planned in the United States, most studies are being conducted abroad.
