MP's Seek Action Over Safety
Fear For Mobiles
The Scotsman
October 23, 1999
Lower limits on mobile phone
emissions were recommended yesterday by a
Commons committee.
Although MPs conceded that
there was no evidence to prove microwave radiation
from the phones was harmful, they said manufacturers should be made to adopt
tighter guidelines.
The science and
technology committee's report said that guidelines on
exposure limits had been established by the National Radiological Protection
Board (NRPB) "before the major increase in frequency and duration of use
was
envisaged and this has led some to suggest that the guidelines should be
revisited".
It added: "We
agree with the NRPB that there is no validated scientific
evidence to justify lower exposure limits. Nevertheless, the extent to which
many are calling for more research justifies a precautionary reduction in
maximum exposure guidelines."
The report
recommended that these guidelines be introduced quickly, but did
not specify a time. It also made allowances for compliance and said that a
grace period should be given to network operators.
The Government has
already asked the NRPB to set up an independent group to
look at the state of research into the health impact. However, the MPs said
this should only be a "temporary measure". They said there must be
more
research and "constant vigilance" in a rapidly changing field.
The MPs called for
the recommended emission limit to be cut to a fifth of its
present level, to bring the UK into line with the rest of the European Union.
They said most mobiles already met the standard, but the lower level would
help to reassure the public. The MPs also called for the Government to spend
more on research.
According to the
report, some studies have linked radiation from mobiles with
cancer and others have found evidence of the phones causing headaches,
nausea, sleep problems and memory loss.
The MPs said the
Department of Health's Pounds 60,000 research programme
"falls seriously short of adequacy and is insufficient to underpin its
policy
decisions".
They added: "We
therefore call for an expanded research programme to provide
for a regular review of the public health implications of mobile phone
technology."
Publishing the
report, the committee chairman, Dr Michael Clark, said the
present budget of Pounds 60,000 funds "about one man and a dog". He
added:
"One man and a dog is not enough for our fastest-growing industry."
Asked why emission
guidelines should be reduced if there was no danger to the
public, Dr Clark said that bringing them down to the levels in the rest of
the EU would improve consumer confidence. "It is not appropriate for us to
be
the odd one out on this," he said.
The Federation of
the Electronics Industry, which represents mobile phone
makers, said it welcomed the report, particularly the agreement that there
was no scientific basis for limiting exposure to mobile phone radiowaves.
The director of the
federation's mobile telecoms advisory group, Michael
Dolan, said: "We support the committee's recommendations for the
establishment of an independent and appropriately funded research programme
to address outstanding scientific questions."
* Edinburgh City
Council is to investigate the possible health risks to staff
using mobiles, writes Andrew Walker.
Donald Anderson, the
administration leader, has called for the inquiry.
He said: "The
well-being of staff is a priority and we want to move quickly
to find out whether there is a potential risk to their health.
"At present,
there is no conclusive evidence to suggest there is a risk from
using mobile phones and calling for this investigation is a precautionary
measure.
"At the same
time, risk cannot be ruled out and it is vital we ensure we do
everything possible to look after our staff."
The investigation
will be discussed at a meeting of the council's policy and
resources committee today.
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