UK report advises precaution on mobile phone use by children

A UK National Radiological Protection Board report
recommends a continued precautionary principle approach to the use
of mobile phones by children until health uncertainties are
lifted.

The UK National Radiological Protection Board has published on
11 January a major report advising “a continued precautionary
approach” to the use of mobile phones, especially by children under
nine.

“There is no hard evidence at present that the health of the
public, in general, is being affected adversely by the use of
mobile phone technologies”, the NRPB said in a statement. “But
uncertainties remain and a continued precautionary approach to
their use is recommended until the situation is further clarified,”
it added.

NRPB Chairman Sir William Stewart pointed out that the
widespread use of mobile phones was “still a relatively recent
phenomenon” and did not rule out that “possible adverse effects
could emerge after years of prolonged use”. 

“The evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgements
has not yet been accumulated,” he said.

The NRPB therefore concludes that earlier recommendations on
limiting the use of mobile phones by children “remain appropriate
as a precautionary measure”.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4, he said: “If there are risks – and
we think there may be risks – then the people who are going to be
most affected are children, and the younger the child, the greater
the danger.”

The NRPB said the Department of Health in England received
letters from members of the public reporting “a variety of
distressing symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, chronic
headache, irregular heart beat, nausea and vertigo, and loss of
memory and concentration”.

The matter needs all the more attention, notes the NRPB, since
new telecommunication technologies, including third-generation (3G)
mobile phones are being rolled out. It insisted that exposure to
radio frequencies be consistent with existing safety
guidelines.

In 1999, European standard were introduced relating to public
exposure to Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) generated by mobile
phones. The standard obliges manufacturers to ensure that their
products do not give rise to adverse effects on health.

EU member states, however, remain free to adopt binding or
non-binding measures at national level.

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