Planning

The following briefing was prepared by the Federation of the Electronics Industry (FEI) in May 2000. The FEI is now part of Intellect (www.intellectuk.org) a new association created to give a single powerful voice for the information technology, telecommunications and electronics industries in the UK.

Introduction

The Independent Expert Group on mobile phones, chaired by Professor Sir William Stewart, was set up in 1999 by the government to conduct a rigorous assessment of existing research into mobile phones and health, to give advice based on the present state of knowledge and also to make recommendations on further work that should be carried out to improve the basis for sound advice.

The Expert Group published its report on 11 May 2000 and made conclusions and recommendations for action by government, the mobile phone industry and others.

Key conclusions and recommendations

The expert group concluded that:

• the balance of scientific evidence suggests that exposures to radio frequency (RF) radiation below National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines do not cause adverse health effects (para 1.17);
• the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines, although the Expert Group pointed to indirect adverse effects on people’s well-being in some cases (para 1.33);
• there is some evidence suggesting that there may be biological effects at exposures below the guidelines (para 1.18);
• a substantial UK research programme should be established and operate under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel (para 1.58);
• drivers should be dissuaded from using either hand-held or hands-free phones whilst on the move (para 1.22).

Given the gaps in scientific knowledge, the Expert Group recommended the adoption of a precautionary approach and advised that:

• ICNIRP guidelines for public exposure be adopted for use in the UK in place of the NRPB guidelines (para 1.27);
• all base stations be subject to the normal planning process (para 1.36);
• information on the energy emissions (specific absorption rate (SAR) values) of mobile phones be readily accessible to consumers (para 1.52);
• children’s use of mobile phones for non-essential calls be discouraged and that the mobile phone industry refrains from promoting their use by children (para 1.53).

The government’s response

The government welcomed the report and signalled its intention to seek to implement most if not all of its recommendations. It said it would refer the report to the Chief Medical Officer for his view on the recommendations relating to mobile phone use by children and information on phone energy emissions. The government said it would also consult with key stakeholders on progressing further policy-making in this area.

Industry’s response

The UK mobile phone industry also welcomed the report, saying that it was comprehensive and balanced and that it addressed public concerns on mobile phones and health very effectively.

Specifically, industry said it would:

• continue to support scientific research internationally and financially support the research programme recommended by the report;
• build all new base stations to comply with ICNIRP guidelines for public exposure and check and modify, if necessary, all existing base stations as soon as practicable;
• review, with government, planning regulations relating to telecommunications development to ensure planning policy is balanced between community concerns and the need for the UK to have world-leading telecommunications networks;
• work with government on identifying the most effective way to present information relating to phone energy emissions.

In addition, industry said it would:

• support the development of new technology to help improve base station design and continue to share sites and masts where practicable;
• locate, as far as possible, new base stations on sites that minimise their social impact on the local community while ensuring the public's expectation of good quality of service is met;
• increase the provision of information to planners on network design strategies and give them access to base site location databases;
• set up appropriate training packages on working with the community in network roll-out and help ensure that local communities are better informed about applications made for new base station sites and have appropriate opportunity to make their views known;
• review the implications of the report in respect of its marketing strategies and information literature;
• continue to recommend that hand-held mobile phones should never be used while driving and that hands-free kits should only be used when it is safe to do so.

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