Mobile phones and health

1. mscsg_da_15A The Stewart Report RA’s Role The electromagnetic spectrum and electromagnetic radiation Radiocommunications Electromagnetic Exposure Limits Links Mobile phones and health information. MENU

2. The “Stewart” Report “The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations, on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines” IEGMP Report on Mobile Phones and Health, May 2000 MORE INFORMATION

3. The “Stewart” Report • The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones - also known as the Stewart Group because it was chaired by Sir William Stewart - was established at the request made by the Minister for Public Health Tessa Jowell in April 1999, to examine possible effects of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters on health. • The remit of the Group was to consider current concerns about the possible health effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters, to conduct a rigorous assessment of existing research and to give advice based on the present state of knowledge. The group was also asked to make recommendations on further work that should be carried out to improve the basis for sound advice. • The group looked at recent research, took evidence from scientists, and listened to the views of the public at open meetings in the UK. Their report was published in May 2000. • Their conclusion was that: • “The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations, on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines” • Overall, the Stewart Group recommended a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phones and base stations until more research results become available. The Government is already putting the report’s recommendations into practice. Want a copy of the “Stewart” report Want a copy of the Government’s response Return to Main Menu

4. The “Stewart” Report The “Stewart” Report • The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones - also known as the Stewart Group because it was chaired by Sir William Stewart - was established at the request made by the Minister for Public Health Tessa Jowell in April 1999, to examine possible effects of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters on health. • The remit of the Group was to consider current concerns about the possible health effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters, to conduct a rigorous assessment of existing research and to give advice based on the present state of knowledge. The group was also asked to make recommendations on further work that should be carried out to improve the basis for sound advice. • The group looked at recent research, took evidence from scientists, and listened to the views of the public at open meetings in the UK. Their report was published in May 2000. • Their conclusion was that: • “The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations, on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines” • Overall, the Stewart Group recommended a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phones and base stations until more research results become available. The Government is already putting the report’s recommendations into practice. The report can be found on the website for the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones at www.iegmp.org.uk/. Alternatively a copy can be obtained directly from the Secretariat of the Expert Group. Their telephone number is 01235 822742, fax number 01235 822746, address IEGMP Secretariat, c/o Information Office, National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ. Want a copy of the “Stewart” report Want a copy of the Government’s response Return to Main Menu

5. The electromagnetic spectrum and electromagnetic radiation The radio frequency (RF) signals used by mobile phone handsets and base stations generate electromagnetic fields (EMFs) which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. EMFs contain electromagnetic energy (EME) which travels through air or space. People come into contact with EME on a daily basis – from TVs, computers, radios and domestic electronic equipment. The most common form of EME is light. Diagram 1 below displays the electromagnetic spectrum. WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION

6. Mobile Phones and electromagnetic radiation Mobile phones are not radioactive and do not emit ionising radiation such as x-rays or gamma rays. Mobile phones are low power radio transmitters and there is no convincing scientific evidence that radio waves cause cancer. The electromagnetic spectrum covers an enormous range of frequencies. RF is a form of non-ionising radiation. This means it is not capable of breaking chemical bonds in biological structures (such as humans) or removing electrons (ionisation). It is therefore very different from the ionising radiation produced by x-rays or nuclear energy. WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IONISING AND NON-IONISING RADIATION

7. More about Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation LINKS TO MORE INFO