Official Statements On Mobile Phone Use

Quoted from the Australian Government Discussion paper, 26 March 1997. Strategy for an Australian research program into possible health issues associated with exposure to communications equipment. Prepared by the Department of Communications and the Arts, Department of Health and Family Services, Australian Radiation Laboratory, Therapeutic Goods Administration, AUSTEL and the CSIRO.

"Human exposure to RFR is greatest from mobile phone handsets because of the method of use, with the transmitting antenna of the mobile phone handset close to the head. There is evidence that localised hot spots of energy deposition in the brain may occur as a consequence of internal reflections. Therefore, it is most appropriate that some studies focus on the pulsing conditions employed in the Global System for Mobiles (GSM) operation at both 900 and 1800 MHz, the conditions which apply in the Australian mobile phone network. Possible synerg-ism between RFR exposure and other factors should also be considered."

Quoted from U.S. Industry magazine Radio Communications Report, 3 March 1997. Quoting Michael Volpe, spokesman for Wireless Technology Research (WTR), formally known as the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG), an industry funded research group set up to conduct RF cancer research on behalf of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).

"In fact the SAG and WTR have repeatedly made public statements which confirm the contention that existing data and studies do not rule out the possibility that cellular telephones cause ill health effects such as brain cancer."

Quoting The Washington Post , April 6, 1997, in the article Still Waiting for the Call- Do Cellular Phones Cause Brain Tumors? Researchers' Inability To Provide an Answer So Far Is Only Raising More Questions.

"Motorola's head of cellular operations at the time, Edward Staiano, told reporters that "thousands" of studies showed there was no link between cellular phones and ill-health effects. That was something of an overstatement. While studies on the health effects of radio waves were indeed common, the industry could not cite any studies in which cellular telephones specifically had been tested for their impact on human tissue or organs."

Quoting Dr. Bruce Hocking, former Chief Medical Officer for Telecom, during the 7:30 Report of May 7, 1997. Discussing the Royal Adelaide Hospital mice study which found over a two fold increase in cancer in the mice exposed to a digital phone frequency.

"This is an indicator that exposure to mobile phone frequencies, such as could be used by mobile phone users, seems to dispose to the development of cancer."

On May 7, 1997 Dr. Hocking presented the results of a study of neurological symptoms in 40 mobile phone users. When asked about this study on the 7:30 Report of May 7, Dr. Hocking replied:

"Yes, these are studies I've been doing on people who use mobile phones and who develop symptoms when using the phones. This arose from some other observations I've made when working for Telstra that staff and some customers were developing symptoms. I've now followed that up with a detailed survey of over 40 people around Australia who have developed symptoms. They complained mainly that they developed a burning or dull feeling on the side of the head where they have using their mobile phone. It tends to come on several minutes after they made their call and may last for hours. Associated with this they may get feelings of nausea, disturbances in their vision and at times other neurological symptoms."

When asked by the 7:30 Report presenter "With all due respect to these people, how do you know they are not just psychomatic symptoms?" Dr. Hocking replied:

"Yes, this question has been asked by quite a few people. First of all there is the consistency of symptoms. People from all over Australia with no connections, produce a rather similar story. Secondly, there are now reports coming from overseas, Scandinavia, Great Britain and America of people getting similar kinds of symptoms. Thirdly, there is a statement from the Department of Communications recently out about the development of "hot spots"in the brain. This means a concentration of energy which would give a possible explanation for these symptoms. Fourthly, and most interestingly, these symptoms were in fact observed over 30 years ago in a laboratory set up."

Presenter, 7:30 Report: "Bruce Hocking, while all these studies are proceeding, what about the issue of prudence and particularly for young kids using mobile phones. Young kids with fast growing cells?"

"Well, I think this is one of the things which should be taken on board, arising from the Adelaide and other studies. That whilst we might seek to set perfection with further studies, there is already some information there which must strike a cautionary note for many people. This would lead to strategies of prudent avoidance, for example, I think there should be restraint on the marketing of mobile phones directly to young children."

Presenter, 7:30 Report: "You, I think, are critical on the way the government has approached this. What is the basis of this criticism?"

"I think that if you look at the overall policy management of this issue, of both the health and public concern that goes with it, there's a couple of things. First of all, I think it's a mistake to put the major responsibility for this issue into the Department of Communications and the Arts. They have a potential conflict of interest. They are a major revenue raiser for the government, from license fees as well as the proposed sales of Telstra and of future frequencies for mobile phones.

They would not be wanting to create too much concern that some of these products may be unhealthy to the public, as that would impact on their revenues, and yet they are responsible for the dissemination of information regarding this. I think it would be fairer to the government and the public alike if the responsibility for all health - health public issues were moved firmly into the Department of Health, in the Public Health Branch area and administered out of there."

(Dr. Bruce Hocking on the 7:30 Report, May 7, 1997)

Quoting Dr. Brendon Nelson, Liberal party backbencher, speaking for minister for Health Michael Wooldridge, on the 7:30 Report of May 7, 1997. Discussing the Royal Adelaide Hospital study.

" and what it shows is that there is a biological effect from electromagnetic energy, and in particular, that emitted by mobile phones In itself, we are aware, and we have quite honestly stated that there appears to be some kind of hot-spot that may be attracted to one part of the brain. Now whether that has an adverse impact, WE DON'T YET KNOW."

Quoting from Letter by Edward J. Markey, ranking Democrat, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection, to Dr. David A. Kessler, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration. (April 7, 1997)

"As you may know, the then-House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee held an oversight briefing in February 1993, to ascertain the current state of scientific knowledge on the potentially adverse health effects of radio frequency (RF) exposure from cellular telephones"

"Subsequent to this briefing, I directed the General Accounting Office (GAO) to prepare a report on the existing scientific research at that time. The GAO reported in 1994 that available data were insufficient to determine whether portable wireless phones posed a health risk"

"In 1993, when I first raised the issue of cellular phone safety, there were roughly 15 million people in the United States using such phones. Today, there are 45 million users of wireless phones, yet we are still unable to certify the safety of this product for American Consumers because adequate research apparently has not yet been performed."

Quoting letter from Diane E. Thompson, Associate Commissioner for Legislative Affairs, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health & Human Services, to Edward J. Markey (as above) May 5, 1997.

"Little is known about the possible health effects of repeated or long-term exposure to low levels of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of the types emitted by wireless communications devices. Indeed, much controversy exists within the scientific community regarding the potential for health effects from any type of low-intensity RFR"

"To the best of our knowledge, there have been no definitive research results since 1993 that can serve to completely reassure the public that portable wireless phones are safe."

 

Media Release from the Australian Consumer's Association, publishers of Choice Magazine, May 9, 1997.

"CAUTION ADVISED FOR MOBILE PHONES"

The Australian Consumers' Association (ACA) has advised mobile phone users to minimise their exposures to the electro-magnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones.

"While there is no scientific proof that mobile phone radiation can be harmful, neither is there proof that it is safe" said Steve Horrocks from ACA."

"If it turns out that there is a problem with electro-magnetic emissions at mobile frequency ranges, then using a device that operates so close to your head is an obvious reason for concern."

"It would seem sensible to take a few precautions until more is known about the potential risk. Mobile users should consider their usage patterns and habits to see what they can do to reduce their exposure. There are a number of practical things that mobile phone users can do if they are concerned about the potential health risk."

The Australian Consumer's Association has advised on ways that exposure can be minimised, including:

*don't use your mobile phone when a normal phone is handy;

*always extend the antenna;

*consider using an after-market hands-free kit;

*consider installing a car kit;

*if you have a digital phone try and use it in open space as much as possible so that the phone can transmit at a lower power level;

*limit the number and duration of calls.

"Consumers may baulk at the cost of a hands-free kit or a car kit. Perhaps they can look at the other benefits that will come from using this sort of equipment."

"There are also a number of shielding devices on the market that claim to provide protection from radiation to mobile users. The effectiveness of these products is still on trial. Mobile users should first find out as much as they can about them before deciding to purchase."

We are concerned about the Federal Government's approach to the potential health risk. The Government's recently announced research program and public health campaign must be a genuine attempt to better understand the possible effects of radiation on human biology and to communicate the findings to the public. The independence of the research program is vital."

The Government should initiate effective consultation with consumers on the research program and the public health campaign. There is a need to do more than communicate to consumers through a public relations exercise - an effective dialogue with the community is essential where there is a potential public health risk."