Mobile Phones: Health Planning and Driving
Health
In April 1999 the Minister for Public Health, Tessa Jowell, established the The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) chaired by Sir William Stewart to examine the possible effects of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters on health.
The IEGMP published its report on the health implications of mobile phones in 2000. The Stewart Report, as it has become known, made recommendations on measures to reduce public concern about this issue whilst proposing that a ‘precautionary approach’ to the use of mobile phone technologies be adopted until more robust scientific information becomes available. The IEGMP report can be found on the IGMP website.
The following are among the Report's major findings:
- exposure to radio frequency radiation below guideline levels does not cause adverse health effects to the general population;
- there may be biological effects occurring at exposures below these guidelines, though this does not necessarily mean that these effects lead to disease or injury (the report made recommendations on further areas for research – see below);
- the use of mobile phones in cars can increase the chance of accidents and drivers should be dissuaded from using phones on the move;
- the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged because if there are currently unrecognised adverse health effects from the use of mobile phones, children may be more vulnerable.
The Report was also concerned with health risks in the vicinity of mobile network base stationsIt concluded that 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 much lower than the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for public exposure.
The report identified a general need to give the public reliable and openly available information about the location and operating characteristics of base stations. The Government asked the Radiocommunications Agency (now the Office of Communications (Ofcom)) to develop and host on its behalf a national database of base stations. ‘Sitefinder’ was developed in co-operation with the cellular industry. This database is enquiry driven and allows the user to search using postcode, street name or town name to locate base stations in their local area. Sitefinder is an element of the Ofcom web site.
The IEGMP also recommended that there should be an independent technical audit of random base stations. In response, the Radiocommunications Agency (now Ofcom) was tasked by Government to implement a national programme to ensure that emissions do not exceed ICNIRP guidelines. To date the study has examined mobile phone masts at hundreds of sites across the UK, looking particularly at sites near schools and hospitals. The readings have shown emission levels ranging from hundreds to million of times below ICNIRP levels. The results of these audits from 2003-2007 can be found on the Ofcom website.
Further research
As part of its response to the research recommendations contained in the Report, the Government set up the Mobile Telecommunications Health and Research Programme (MTHR) in 2001. The MTHR programme has received approximately £8.8 million in funding to date from a variety of Government and industry sources to undertake independent research into the possible health risks from mobile telephone technology.
After six years of research, the MTHR Programme published its report on 12 September 2007. This report is the UK’s largest investigation into the possible health risks from mobile telephone technology. Its comprehensive research concluded that neither mobile phones nor base stations have been found to be associated with any biological or adverse health effects. The report can be found on the Mobile Telephones and Health Research (MTHR) website.
The Health Protection Agency is the main body responsible for providing advice and information on the effects of exposure from mobile phones and base stations. Detailed information about the typical levels of exposure from mobile phones and to those who live near base stations can be found on its website.
Other reports
The Stewart Report was followed in January 2004 by a report from the independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR), and in January 2005 by “Mobile Phones and Health 2004” from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). Both reports endorsed Stewart’s earlier findings. All three reports can be found on the NRPB website.
Planning
The Government takes environmental concerns very seriously. Our policy is to facilitate the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems whilst keeping the environmental impact to a minimum.
Telecommunications planning policy is a devolved responsibility. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is responsible for telecommunications planning in England. The Environment Agency, National Assembly for Wales and The Scottish Executive has responsibility in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland respectively.
Mobile masts are subject to planning regulations and it is a matter for the relevant local planning authority to decide whether to approve a planning application for a mobile mast. It is not for central Government to intervene in the planning process, although there is an obvious need for consistency when considering applications involving national infrastructure or which involve specialised scientific knowledge.
The Government's own Planning Guidance Note on Telecommunications (PPG8) sets out the framework for local planning authorities and operators. PPG8 requires all mast sites to comply with the ICNIRP guidelines. This requirement is based on sound science and follows the overwhelming scientific consensus on emissions from masts. As with all such guidance there is a need to ensure that it is kept up to date and the Government is currently reviewing the planning arrangements for mobile phone masts. More details can be found on the Communities and Local Government website.
In addition to PPG8, a revised Code of Best Practice for Mobile Network Development was drawn up and agreed by representatives of Central and Local Government and the mobile phone industry in 2002. The voluntary Code builds on Government guidance and operators’ commitments to ensure there is proper consultation and openness on proposals for the siting and design of new telecommunications masts. A review of the Code was published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now DCLG) in March 2006. Recommendations from that review are being considered by Government alongside that of planning arrangements. More information about the Code can be found at the Mobile Operators Association website.
Mobile phones and driving
Under legislation that came into effect in December 2003, it is illegal for drivers to use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. New legislation came into force on 27 February 2007, that increased the penalty for this offence from £30 to £60 and three penalty points. A driver can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free device if they are not in proper control of the vehicle when using the device. The same penalty applies. Further details can be found on the Department for Transport website.
Information about all of the above and other public service information and services can be found on the Directgov website.
