Mobile
Phones: Latest Advise, More Research
10 Downing Street
December 08, 2000
The
Government has launched a package of measures to increase research into mobile
phone technology and provide information to the public about mobile phones and
health.
Two new
leaflets have been produced by the Department of Health. They summarise the
health evidence on mobile phone handsets and base stations, and a million
copies will be distributed throughout the UK from today. Outlets include Tesco,
Safeway, Asda, Sainsburys, WH Smith, Budgens, Virgin stores, Carphone
Warehouse, BT and Cellnet, Vodafone, Dixons\Link, GP surgeries, libraries,
local authorities and post offices.
A new
research programme, costing around £7 million and funded jointly by
Government and industry, will be directed and overseen by a taskforce led by
Sir William Stewart. It will carry out research into the effects of mobile
phone technology on health and the process will ensure that Government and the
public are kept up to date with new research findings.
The
Radiocommunications Agency will also begin an audit of mobile phone base
stations and masts to assess emissions. Masts near to school buildings will be
the first to be audited. The results of the audits will be published on the
internet.
The
Government established an independent expert group on mobile phones and health
in 1999 in response to public concerns about the new technology. The Group,
chaired by Sir William Stewart, published its findings in May 2000. The
Government's response welcomed the report and todays announcement implements
many of the Reports findings.
The Stewart report concluded that the balance of evidence did not show a
health risk from mobile phone technology, but that there was evidence of a
subtle biological effect, there were gaps in scientific knowledge and that a
precautionary approach be adopted, particularly for children and young people.
It also recommends that a substantial research programme be established and
that the public should be provided with information about mobile phones and
health.
Chief Medical
Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said:
"Sir
William Stewart's report was the most extensive review of evidence to date on
mobile phones and health and we are acting on his recommendations.
"The
research programme announced today will cost over £7 million and will help to
improve our knowledge of health in relation to this new technology. The
taskforce, led by Sir William Stewart will notify the Government of any new
evidence that comes to light and assess future developments.
"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 phone.
"On the
basis of the precautionary approach outlined in the Stewart report, the
leaflets provide advice that, if you use a mobile phone, you can choose to
minimise your exposure to radio waves by keeping your calls short and by
considering relative Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) values when buying a new
phone.
In the case
of children and young people under the age of 16, the UK Chief Medical
Officers strongly advise that they should be encouraged to use mobile phones
for essential purposes only and to keep all calls short. Of course, if parents
want to avoid their children being subject to any possible risk that might be
identified in the future, they can exercise their choice not to let their
children use mobile phones."
