Open Session
Chair: Professor L Challis
The Chairman, Professor
L Challis, introduced the MTHR Programme, summarising the types
of research projects being funded. He noted that four of the projects
were completed already and many more will be finishing over the
next 18 months. He indicated that it is envisaged that the Programme
will announce interim results in about two year’s time when
most of the projects will have been completed. Professor
Challis’s slides are available to view. A second presentation
was given by Dr Repacholi of the World Health Organisation and can
be viewed on the WHO
web-site. Dr Repacholi’s talk informed the delegates of
the role of the MTHR Programme within a wider, international context.
He explained that WHO is committed to assisting projects that fill
the knowledge gap in this field or that replicate projects that
have had important results such as the TNO project. A number of
previous international studies were discussed. It was highlighted
that there was a need for replication of some of the studies.
The main debate of the afternoon was focussed on the need for a
study of health effects of people living near mobile phone masts.
The Chairman indicated that a large study was expected to be announced
in the near future. This proposed study will assess whether volunteers
suffer symptoms when exposed to RF signals in a controlled environment.
It is hoped that the study will include 3G type transmissions as
well as the more common GSM transmissions. The Chairman emphasised
the importance of undertaking robust, scientifically controlled
research on large groups. This gives the best chance of identifying
and recording any effects that occur with reasonable statistical
certainty. A study of individual masts in affected areas was suggested
but researchers were concerned about the difficulties of undertaking
such studies properly.
A suggestion was put forward that a retrospective epidemiology study
be initiated on those who had resided in close proximity to base
stations. The Chairman reiterated that it would be difficult to
isolate the cause of any effect found. However, a project currently
funded by the Programme was discussed – one that was looking
at whether residence in close proximity to mobile phone base stations
was associated with leukaemia in young children. This study will
estimate the exposure at the child’s house and look for any
correlation with the incidence of the disease. The project assumes
that the child has had a reasonably predictable exposure history
in its short lifetime. This prediction is based on the assumption
that babies and young children will spend a considerable amount
of time in their homes and immediate local area and also do not
use mobile phones so exposure assessments will not be confounded
by much greater exposures from handsets.
The Chairman explained that exposures from base stations are typically
many times lower (at least a thousand and usually much more) than
from phones. Although exposures from base stations are of longer
duration, the time- weighted average exposure would still be dominated
by the phone. This is why the majority of studies funded are phone
studies rather than base station studies.
A discussion ensued on the concern generated in members of the general
public by base stations. It could be difficult to isolate any health
effect caused by the RF exposure against a background of stress.
Some members of the audience were concerned that asking those who
experience symptoms to travel to attend a laboratory for RF exposure
testing would increase their stress levels enormously. It was suggested
that it might be better if the laboratory could travel to the volunteer
rather than the other way round. However, it was recognised that
with complex laboratory equipment this was not always possible.
In conclusion, it was acknowledged that there is a considerable
amount of public fear regarding mobile phone and base station emissions
and that the effect on the public perception of risk must be considered.
Summaries
of the closed sessions of the MTHR Research Seminar - 4th of November
2003 |
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