Parliamentary Questions on EMFs: Andrew Mitchell MP
Redaktion Buergerwelle e.V. (BI Omega-CI Omega)
UK Secretary of State for Health from fellow Radiation Research Trustee
Andrew Mitchell MP for Sutton Coldfield, Shadow International
Development Secretary. Also read the response from Public Health
Minister* *Dawn Primarolo MP.
They can be found within the online version of Hansard, at this address
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080129/text/80129w0035.htm#0801303001232
<http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080129/text/80129w0035.htm#0801303001232>
Kind Regards,
Eileen O'Connor
Radiation Research Trustee
http://www.radiationresearch.org
*Mr. Andrew Mitchell:* To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what
steps he is taking in relation to exposure from electromagnetic
microwave radiation from mobile telephone masts and wireless broadband
technology; [182167]
(2) if he will request the International Commission on Non-Ionising
Radiation Protection to undertake an
*29 Jan 2008 : Column 333W
*urgent review of guidance on exposure to time-varying electric,
magnetic and electro magnetic fields in the frequency range up to
300Ghz, with particular reference to non-thermal health effects; [182168]
(3) what recent published medical research he has evaluated on the
effect of telephone mast emissions on the health of nearby communities
in the UK; [182169]
(4) if he will undertake an ecological study into the health of people
living in communities close to mobile telephony masts. [182170]
*Dawn Primarolo:* Mobile telephones, base stations and wireless
installations in this country are expected to comply with the
electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure guidelines published by the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
The ICNIRP guidelines are incorporated into the European Recommendation
on limiting public exposure to electromagnetic fields (EC/519/1999)
adopted by European member states.
Measurements by Ofcom (www.ofcom.org.uk <http://www.ofcom.org.uk> ) have
consistently shown base station compliance with the guidelines. Exposure
from mobile telephone handsets is available on the manufacturer’s
website at www.mmfai.org/public/ <http://www.mmfai.org/public/> . The
Health Protection Agency’s Radiation Protection Division (HPA-RPD) is
undertaking a systematic programme of research into wireless local area
networks (WLANs) and their use. In a recent announcement the HPA has
said that WiFi and WLAN signals are very low power and the results so
far show exposures are well within ICNIRP guidelines, which are
available at:
www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2007/071012_wifi.htm
<http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2007/071012_wifi.htm>
The HPA-RPD periodically reviews the scientific research into the
potential health effects from electromagnetic fields. Its comprehensive
2004 review recommended the adoption of the ICNIRP guidelines in this
country, but also acknowledged the need for further research
(www.hpa.org.uk/publications/ <http://www.hpa.org.uk/publications/> ). A
2007 assessment on behalf of the European Commission also endorsed the
ICNIRP public exposure guidelines, but similarly noted the paucity of
scientific data in some areas:
www.ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/comm
<http://www.ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/comm>
The independently managed Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research
(MTHR) programme has supported a number of studies into the possible
health effects of radio signals from mobile telephone technology. The
studies of base stations were carried out in carefully controlled
conditions as living close to base stations is not a reliable measure of
overall exposure to radio signals. None of the research published in the
‘MTHR 2007’ report demonstrates that biological or adverse health
effects are produced by radiofrequency exposure from mobile phones or
base stations. These studies and recommendations for further research
are described on the MTHR website at www.mthr.org.uk
<http://www.mthr.org.uk> .
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