Mobile phones and health - an update


January 2005 Summary
The BMA’s 2001 recommendation to adopt a precautionary approach to mobile phones while research remains inconclusive is still valid. This is compatible with the Government’s own policy. The BMA continues to support the ongoing national and international commitment to research into possible adverse effects of mobile phones. We will continue to keep a watching brief on forthcoming research and policy.

In May 2001 the BMA’s Board of Science and Education published an interim report Mobile phones and health. This summarised the current knowledge on mobile phones and health, and outlined on-going and planned research. The report noted that, although published reviews had found small physiological effects, there were no definite adverse health effects from mobile phones or their base stations. This update provides a brief outline of some of the most important research and policy developments in this field since 2001.

Research published since the BMA’s interim report on mobile phones and health
The most influential UK research on mobile phones in 2001 was ‘The Stewart Report’ (2000) [reference 1]. This recommended that a precautionary approach be adopted until more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available.

Several pieces of research on mobile phones and health have been published since the BMA’s mobile phone report. Some of these have reported possible adverse effects on health. For example:
  • In January 2002, the Health Council of the Netherlands published an advisory report ‘Mobile Phones: An Evaluation of Health Effects’ [reference 2]. This provided an overview, based on scientific literature, of whether exposure to electromagnetic fields from antennas and mobile phones can adversely effect health. It concluded that the electromagnetic field of mobile phones does not constitute a health hazard, according to the present state of scientific knowledge. However, further research is needed to better understand the possible effects, especially long-term, of mobile phones on health .
  • In December 2003, the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s Independent Expert Group on Electromagnetic Fields published its first annual report [reference 3]. The report concluded that the scientific results do not warrant any firm conclusions about the possible biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields. However, intense research is currently ongoing in several countries. Given the complexity of the research area the report claimed that it is essential that both positive and negative results be replicated before being accepted. More research is needed to address long-term exposure due to the prolonged latency period of many chronic diseases.
Although several small reports and campaigns have been launched since 2001, larger, more influential reports have also been published in the UK. These have reviewed the existing research. In general they have concluded that evidence of adverse effects has been inconclusive and needs to be replicated. The most important UK research completed since the BMA’s interim report is listed below.

National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB): Mobile phones and health: an update
In January 2005, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published a new document on mobile phones and health, updating the Stewart Report [reference 4]. This report again concludes that there is no hard evidence at present that the health of the public is being affected adversely by the use of mobile phones. However, as uncertainties remain, the report recommends a continued precautionary approach. Specifically:
  • improvements should be made in ensuring ready access by the public to all up to date and relevant information related to the use of mobile phones and of masts
  • the planning process associated with the erection of mobile phone base stations should be subject to independent review
  • the legal responsibilities and regulations in relation to the installation of microcells and picocells should be clarified and more information about their deployment be made available
  • monitoring of potential exposures from 3G base stations should be carried out concomitantly with the rollout of the network
  • a formal inspection procedure should be set in place to ensure that exclusion zones around base stations are clearly identified
  • comparative information on the SAR (specific energy absorption rate) values of different phones should be made readily available to better inform consumer choice
  • particular attention should be given to how best to minimise exposure of potentially vulnerable sub-groups such as children and to consider the possibility that there may be other sub-groups who may be particularly sensitive to radiowaves
  • a continuing research programme on the possible health effects of mobile phone technologies should be strongly supported.

Go to the press release summary of this report at
http://www.nrpb.org/press/press_releases/2005/press_release_02_05.htm

Go to the full report now at
http://www.nrpb.org/publications/documents_of_nrpb/pdfs/doc_15_5.pdf

In March 2003, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) produced a description of work undertaken since the Stewart Report. The recommendations and outcomes of the Stewart Report were reviewed.

The Independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR): Health effects from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Following the Stewart Report, the UK Government asked the NRPB to carry out a comprehensive review of the health effects of radiofrequency. The board of the NRPB asked for this to be undertaken by AGNIR which reported in 2003 [reference 5]

AGNIR examined recent experimental and epidemiological evidence for health effects due to exposure to radiofrequency (RF) transmissions, including those associated with mobile telephone handsets and base stations. The AGNIR report, Health effects from radiofrequency electromagmnetic fields: report of an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation, is a comprehensive study that provides a good summary of research undertaken since the Stewart Report. It contains specific conclusions on cellular, animal, brain activity and cognitive function studies and cancer and non-cancer epidemiology. The report also draws the following overall conclusions.
  • There is no biological evidence for mutation or tumour causation by RF exposure, and epidemiological studies overall do not support causal associations between exposure to RF and the risk of cancer, in particular from mobile phone use.
  • A number of studies have suggested possible effects on brain function at RF exposure levels comparable with those from mobile phone handset usage, but AGNIR regard the overall evidence as inconclusive. Other studies have indicated effects of pulse modulated RF on the movement of calcium ions in cells and tissues of the nervous system. However, AGNIR found that the early results are not supported by recent, better conducted studies.
  • Regarding exposures in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations, AGNIR has examined data from a number of surveys and concluded that exposure levels are extremely low and the evidence indicates that they are unlikely to pose a health risk.
Overall, the AGNIR report concluded:
"In aggregate the research published since the IEGMP report does not give cause for concern. The weight of evidence now available does not suggest that there are adverse health effects from exposure to RF fields below guideline levels, but the published research on RF exposures and health has limitations, and mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time. The possibility therefore remains open that there could be health effects from exposure to RF fields below guideline levels; hence continued research is needed."

"Exposure levels from living near to mobile phone base stations are extremely low, and the overall evidence indicates that they are unlikely to pose a risk to health."

This generally reinforces the message of the Stewart Report.

The BMA supports the conclusions of the AGNIR report.

Significant current research
International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC) - INTERPHONE Study
The Interphone study is a series of multi-national case-control studies. It is expected to have greater potential than any previous or individual study to provide definitive information on the possible health effects of mobile phones. Separate studies are being carried out for acoustic neurinoma, gliomas and meningiomas and tumours of the parotid gland, the tumours that, if radiofrequency is carcinogenic, would be most likely to be related to mobile telephone use. A study of leukaemia risk is also planned.

The primary objective of these studies is to assess whether RF exposure from mobile telephones is associated with cancer risk. The studies are based on a common ‘core’ protocol, describing common procedures to be followed in all participating countries. National studies, however, may have specific features or a wider scope than the international study.

Participating countries are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the UK. In order to maximise the likelihood of finding a risk if it exists, the studies are mainly focused on tumours in relatively young people (those aged 30-59 years - who had the highest prevalence of mobile phone use 5 to 10 years ago) and on regions within the participating countries with longest and highest use of mobile phones. The first results of the study are expected in late 2004.

UK Department of Health - The LINK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme
This Department of Health programme was launched in February 2001 and was established under an independent Programme Management Committee (PMC).

The MTHRP programme which has a research budget of £8.8 million, has carried out 23 separate sudies into the health impact of mobile phones, masts and base stations and is jointly funded by government and industry. This six-year research programme, the results of which have been published in September 2007, have shown that the long-term risk of cancer from mobile phone use cannot be ruled out. Whie the report concluded that mobile phones did not appear to harm human health, it recommended that more research is needed. Researchers are now expanding the programme to look at mobile phone use over 10 years and the impact on children. More information and an electronic version of the report is available at Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research

The first studies were mainly concerned with the use of mobile phone handsets. More recently the programme has commissioned an epidemiological study addressing public concerns about possible health risks from exposure to emissions from base stations. The programme includes three population studies that are designed specifically to look for cancer incidence in relation to mobile phone use. Two of these form part of the multinational INTERPHONE study being conducted by IARC.

EU research
EU health commissioner, David Byrne, has appointed an expert committee ‘The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health risks (SCENIHR)’ to monitor risks from emerging technologies and scientific developments such as mobile phone radiation.

Policy changes and research relating to the BMA 2001 report
Mobile phones and driving
Of all the aspects of mobile phones and health examined by the Stewart Group, the only one with conclusive evidence of substantiated risk was an increased incidence of motor vehicle accidents when drivers use mobile phones. The BMA devoted a page of its 2001 report to the issue. Driving whilst using a hand-held mobile phone was made illegal in UK in December 2003. The penalty is a £30 fixed penalty or up to £1,000 on conviction in court. Hands-free sets are not covered by the new rule and people can still dial phones whilst driving - providing they are not holding them. However, drivers can still be prosecuted for careless driving if they drive irresponsibly whilst talking on the phone.

TETRA systems
The BMA mobile report noted that little evidence existed on TETRA systems and therefore, that further research was necessary. In 2001 the AGNIR published a report, Possible health effects from terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) [reference 6].

This concluded that there is no reason to believe that signals from TETRA base stations should be treated differently from other base stations. Exposures of the public to signals from TETRA base stations are small fractions of international guidelines.

"Although areas of uncertainty remain about the biological effects of low level RF radiation in general, including modulated signals, current evidence suggests that it is unlikely that the special features of the signals from TETRA mobile terminals and repeaters pose a hazard to health."

TETRA technologies are included within the MTHR programme. An associated programme, focusing specifically on TETRA, is being funded by the Home Office. A number of projects are already under way but it will be some time before the results are available.

Protective devices
In June 2001, a DTI report on mobile phone shields founds that they vary in effectiveness. The study added that personal hands-free kits ‘remain one of the best approaches’ for cutting absorption of radiation [reference 7].

Sociological effects
It is worth noting that, since the publication of our interim report, picture messaging has become widespread. This raises new child protection issues.

Networks
A code of best practice on mobile phone network development has been published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with the cooperation of central government, local government and industry (2002). For more information see the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

RF exposure limits and information
Since the Stewart Report, the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) and the NRPB have carried out and published measurements of people’s exposure to RF near to base station sites. The data shows that exposure to signals from masts at locations accessible to the general public is very much lower than guideline maximum levels advised by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICNIRP). These findings can be found on National Radiological Protection Board website and Office of Communications website. The sites of base stations in the UK, and their power, are now shown on the Sitefinder location of the Ofcom website.

Following a consultation in 2003, publication of new NRPB exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields (comparable with international guidelines) is expected in spring 2004.

The BMA’s 2001 report recommended that mobile phone manufacturers should provide an indication of the power/radiation output from their handsets. Information on the specific energy absorption rate of new phones has been made available by the main manufacturers from October 2001.

References
[1] UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) (2000) Mobile phones and health. London: The Stationery Office. Commissioned by the Government and chaired by Sir William Stewart.

[2] Health Council of the Netherlands (2002) Mobile telephones: an evaluation of health effects. Health Council of the Netherlands.

[3] Swedish Radiation Protection Authority’s Independent Expert Group on Electromagnetic Fields (2003) Recent research on mobile telephony and cancer and other selected biological effects: First annual report from SSI’s Independent Expert Group on Electromagnetic Fields.

[4] National Radiological Protection Board (2005) Mobile Phones and Health 2004: Report by the NRPB. Oxon: NRPB.

[5] Health effects from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: report of an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation. Chiltern: NRPB National Radiological Protection Board (2003)

[6] National Radiological Protection Board (2001) Possible health effects from terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA): Report of an Advisory Group onNon-ironising Radiation. Chiltern : NRPB.

[7] Manning, MI & Densley M (2001) On the effectiveness of various types of mobile phone radiation shields. London: DTI.

© British Medical Association 2008

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