Mobile phones could be dangerous, says Government advisor
There is no proof that mobile phones can damage your health, but enough uncertainty remains that parents should think carefully before allowing their children to use one.
That was the advice today from Sir William Stewart, chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board, as he called for more research to be carried out on the potential dangers posed by mobile phones.
It could be another five years before the issue is settled either way, he added.
Responding to his comments, Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government Minister Caroline Spelman said that the Government should now set up a review into the siting of mobile phone masts.
Speaking at the launch of an NRPB report on mobile phones and health, Sir William pointed to a large volume of research in recent years into the health dangers of mobile phones.
“All these studies have yet to be replicated . but we cannot dismiss them out of hand” he said. “The evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgements has not yet been accumulated.
“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.”
In general, he advised that children use their mobiles for as short a time as possible, use text messages where possible, and choose phones with a low specific energy absorption rate, also known as a low SAR value. He added that: “Parents have a lot to answer for and should be having a serious look at how they [their children] are using mobile phones.”
However, parents could not make informed choices without having all the relevant information, something they were currently denied by “confusing” websites and “patchy” provision of data, Sir William said.
He said telecommunications regulator Ofcom “must make information more readily available”, adding that: “It is easy to blame the Government, it is easy to blame the manufacturers, but overall we have got to get the information available more readily, and people have got to take into account that information.”
Sir William called for the planning process for mobile phone masts to be independently reviewed, greater labelling of the SAR value of mobile phones at the point of sale, and more attention given to ways of reducing children’s exposure to radiowaves.
Commenting, Ms Spelman said: “Under John Prescott, decisions on the location of mobile phone masts have been allowed to ride roughshod over local, environmental and safety concerns. Conservatives have been calling for a change in planning rules which currently allow the location of poorly-sited mobile phone masts regardless of local opinion
“Conservatives are committed to plans where by all mobile phone masts would be required to have full planning permission, with health concerns being taken into account too. We must address the feelings of powerlessness and frustration experienced by those living under the threat of badly sited masts. Local councillors, answerable to local residents via the ballot box, should have the final say on where these masts go.”
