MTHR - Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research

Invitation For Research Bids

Following the publication of the report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, chaired by Sir William Stewart, and the Group’s recommendation for further research in this field, a Programme Management Committee (PMC) was set up to advise on this research programme. Following two calls for research applications, the Committee invites additional full proposals to undertake research into the possible health impact of Mobile Telecommunications in the following areas:

Psychological and Social Studies

Background

The research commissioning brief described below gives details on the additional research the PMC wishes to commission in the area of risk perception and communication in relation to mobile phone technologies . The PMC has identified the following areas as those it considers to be of highest priority and relevance to this research programme:

1. The impact of adopting a precautionary approach to the management of

(a) potential health risks from mobile phone handsets
(b) potential health risks from mobile phone base stations

on the risk perception and behaviour of groups and/or individuals

2. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the leaflets Mobile Phones and Health and Mobile Phone Base Stations and Health published by the Department of Health (December 2000)

Applicants may wish to submit applications combining proposals to work in both priority areas.

1. The impact of adopting a precautionary approach to the management of

(a) potential health risks from mobile phone handsets
(b) potential health risks from mobile phone base stations

on the risk perception and behaviour of groups and/or individuals

Justification

The report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (Stewart Group) points out that the balance of evidence does not suggest mobile phone technologies put the health of the general population of the UK at risk. There is some preliminary evidence that outputs from mobile phone technologies may cause, in some cases, subtle biological effects, although, importantly, these do not necessarily mean that health is affected. Overall, the report proposed that a precautionary approach be adopted until more robust scientific information becomes available. These messages have been re-iterated in the Department of Health publications Mobile Phones and Health and Mobile Phone Base Stations and Health (December 2000).

The PMC would like to evaluate the impact of the precautionary message on individuals and/or groups including children aged 7 –13 and their carers. The PMC would welcome proposals addressing the following questions:

(i) How do groups make decisions under conditions of perceived scientific uncertainty?
(ii) Has there been a difference over time as to how these groups respond to the precautionary approach regarding the use of mobile phones and/or the siting of mobile phone masts?
(iii) Has familiarity and necessity changed individuals/groups’ attitudes to this new technology?

Objectives

The objectives of the study should be to provide a research base to assist and inform Government in the way it formulates health advice to the public on exposure from mobile phones and/or base stations in the light of continuing public concerns.

Research Specification

To help ensure that applications submitted will be tailored to answer the areas of priority, the PMC recommends a two-stage approach and requests invitations to conduct a pilot study followed by a larger study.

Pilot study

A pilot study should be undertaken to ascertain the instruments to be used to measure individuals’ self-reported behaviour in relation to mobile phones and mobile phone base stations. The pilot study will need to address the following:

(i) What are the currently used instruments to measure self-reported behaviour?

(ii) Are there any commonly agreed instruments which could be adapted for use in the main study as described in the main study?

(iii) If there are no commonly accepted instruments, is it feasible to develop a set of instruments and reach a common agreement by, for example, setting up workshops?

Main study

The PMC would like to see the following research design building on the results of the pilot study:

(i) a retrospective study to ascertain whether individuals modified their behaviour towards (a) mobile phone usage or (b) the siting of mobile phone masts because of perceived risks. Events studied should include media reports or the provision of Government advice regarding any possible health effects on groups or individuals;

(ii) a prospective study using an experimental design to study the impact of health advice on subsequent behaviour. Researchers may wish to include aspects of the Department of Health publications referred to in (2) in the experimental design for this study.

2. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the leaflets Mobile Phones and Health and Mobile Phone Base Stations and Health published by the Department of Health (December 2000)

The Department of Health published two leaflets in December 2000: Mobile Phones and Health and Mobile Phone Base Stations and Health. The leaflets re-iterated the precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies adopted in the report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones. The PMC would like to invite studies seeking to evaluate the impact of these leaflets on the risk perception and the behaviour of individuals/groups in relation to their mobile phone usage or their attitude to the siting of mobile phone masts:

(i) Have people seen the leaflets?

(ii) Have individuals/groups taken notice of the advice in the leaflets?

(iii) How have the leaflets been brought to the attention of groups and/or individuals?

(iv) Has the information made readers more or less cautious about

(a) their own phone use;
(b) the phone use of those in their care, for example children aged between 7 and 13;
(c) their attitude towards the siting of mobile phone masts.

(v) What has been the effect on children and their carers of the specific advice on the use of mobile phones?

Human Volunteer Studies: General and Special Populations

Background

The research brief described below gives details of additional research the PMC wishes to commission in the area of human volunteer studies: general and special populations. The PMC has identified the following areas to be of highest priority and relevance:

1. A preliminary study to define the inclusion and exclusion criteria for members of volunteer and control groups in a provocation study. The volunteer group would consist of individuals who attribute symptoms of acute ill health to their exposure to emissions from base stations.

2. A provocation study investigating the basis of symptoms attributed by the volunteer group, as defined in the above investigation, to their exposure to base station emissions.

Research Specification

To help ensure that applications submitted will be tailored to answer the questions of priority, the PMC has agreed the following specification for research applications:

1. Definition of the study samples

Research is needed to define the criteria for inclusion of individuals into volunteer and control groups for a provocation study (see below). The research should include consultation with relevant action and interest groups. In defining the volunteer group, consideration should be given to people who attribute symptoms to their exposure to a variety of electromagnetic emissions, in addition to those whose complaints are limited to exposure exclusively to mobile phone base station emissions. Consideration should also be given to how evidence might be obtained that will help authorities refine their advice on the effect of this technology on children.

2. Provocation study:

An investigation into the basis of symptoms attributed to base station emissions. The central component of this study should be a double blind, randomised provocation experiment. The test environment and exposure conditions are described in a separate document and are available on request to mthr@nrpb.org. Technical support, including assistance if necessary with the provision of appropriate transmitter equipment and test environment, will be provided to the successful applicants to ensure compliance with these technical specifications. The experimental protocol should not result in exposure conditions greater than those found in everyday situations. In addition to subjective ratings by participants, appropriate physiological indices (e.g. heart rate variability) should be recorded in the different exposure conditions. In addition, relevant psychometric data (e.g. measures of state and trait anxiety, depression ratings, etc) should be obtained.

In order to maximise the face validity of the study from the participants’ perspective, and to optimise its sensitivity, the double blind study should be preceded by an ‘open’ provocation condition, allowing participants explicitly to associate symptoms with the different exposure conditions.

Administrative Matters

Funding available

The PMC has set aside limited funding for this work. Applicants may wish to discuss funding available with the Secretariat before submitting proposals.

Criteria for Funding

Proposals will be assessed according to their likely ability to:

1. address the identified priority areas;
2. demonstrate a clear research hypothesis;
3. demonstrate cost effectiveness;
4. demonstrate the quality, management and competence of the research team;
5. demonstrate the potential deliverables and likely benefits from the research.

Eligibility

Non UK collaborators in project proposals are welcome but cannot be funded directly. They can participate if they have their own funding or as sub-contractors.