The Evening Standard (London) September 19, 2006 Tuesday
Health warning on mobile use by 91% of preteens
BYLINE: MARK PRIGG
PARENTS were warned today about the dangers of giving their children a mobile phone.
As a survey revealed that 91 per cent of 12-year-olds now have a mobile, the Health Protection Agency called for parents to limit their use.
“If there are risks - and we think that there could be - then the people who are going to be most affected are children,” said Dr Jill Meara of the Health Protection Agency. “We would call on parents to make sure they examine all the evidence before deciding if they will give their children a phone. “They do have a benefit but nothing in life is without some hazards, and you need to weigh the benefits against the potential risks. We will not know for several years what the real risks of mobile phones are.”
There are fears that the electromagnetic radiation emitted from handsets may harm health. In particular, there have been claims that it could affect the body’s cells, brain or immune system and increase the risk of developing a range of diseases from cancer to Alzheimer’s. The government advises a ” precautionary approach” and Dr Meara warned children to limit the time they spend on the phone. She said: “If you’re going to have an hour-long chat with your boyfriend, do it on a landline. It’s also worth sending a text instead if you can, as that cuts the amount of time you are exposed to radiation.”
Mobile phone companies today claimed that increased use has helped children communicate more effectively.
“The mobile has become the most important electronic device for young people in the UK today,” said Charles Dunstone, chief executive officer of The Carphone Warehouse Group, which commissioned the study. “It provides them with a social network, a sense of security and access to entertainment. But most importantly it provides them with a sense of belonging to their peer group.”
The HPA called for government leaflets outlining the potential risk of mobile phones to be given to every buyer. “These leaflets were available a few years ago, but seem to have disappeared,” said Dr Meara. “They really need an update.”
The study found that just a quarter of 11 to 17-year-olds are worried that their mobile phone might harm their health, compared to one third of parents.
Most young people also admitted they were concerned their phone put them at risk from muggers.
The Mobile Operators Association, which represents all the UK’s mobile networks, said the decision on whether to have a phone was up to parents. “Mobile technology offers reassurance to parents and children who value being able to stay in touch with one another,” said a spokesman. “Parents can weigh these benefits against health concerns. All mobile phones sold in the UK comply with international health and safety exposure guidelines adopted by the European Council of Health Ministers in 1999.”
Source:
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=557
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The British government is now in pressure about what it had done, putting millions of children at risk by advancing an unsafe technology, but leaves the parents to take the responsibility: "you need to weigh the benefits against the potential risks". "examine all the evidence" but where can they find the info? Should the parents go to read Medline? Or will the government tell them that they are sold things that can break DNA and kill neurons? How are they supposed to "examine all the evidence"?
Iris Atzmon
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Parents warned over danger of giving children mobiles
19.09.06
At risk? Experts warn parents over giving mobile phones to children
Parents have been issued warnings over the dangers of giving their children a mobile phone. As a survey revealed that 91 per cent of 12-year-olds now have a mobile, the Health Protection Agency called for parents to limit their use.
"If there are risks - and we think that there could be - then the people who are going to be most affected are children," said Dr Jill Meara of the Health Protection Agency. "We would call on parents to make sure they examine all the evidence before deciding if they will give their children a phone.
"They do have a benefit but nothing in life is without some hazards, and you need to weigh the benefits against the potential risks. We will not know for several years what the real risks of mobile phones are."
There are fears that the electromagnetic radiation emitted from handsets may harm health. In particular, there have been claims that it could affect the body's cells, brain or immune system and increase the risk of developing a range of diseases from cancer to Alzheimer's.
The government advises a " precautionary approach" and Dr Meara warned children to limit the time they spend on the phone.
She said: "If you're going to have an hour-long chat with your boyfriend, do it on a landline. It's also worth sending a text instead if you can, as that cuts the amount of time you are exposed to radiation."
Mobile phone companies today claimed that increased use has helped children communicate more effectively.
"The mobile has become the most important electronic device for young people in the UK today,," said Charles Dunstone, chief executive officer of The Carphone Warehouse Group, which commissioned the study. "It provides them with a social network, a sense of security and access to entertainment. But most importantly it provides them with a sense of belonging to their peer group."
The HPA called for government leaflets outlining the potential risk of mobile phones to be given to every buyer.
"These leaflets were available a few years ago, but seem to have disappeared," said Dr Meara. "They really need an update."
The study found that just a quarter of 11 to 17-year-olds are worried that their mobile phone might harm their health, compared to one third of parents.
Most young people also admitted they were concerned their phone put them at risk from muggers. The Mobile Operators Association, which represents all the UK's mobile networks, said the decision on whether to have a phone was up to parents.
"Mobile technology offers reassurance to parents and children who value being able to stay in touch with one another," said a spokesman. "Parents can weigh these benefits against health concerns.
"All mobile phones sold in the UK comply with international health and safety exposure guidelines adopted by the European Council of Health Ministers in 1999."
Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/
© 2006 Associated Newspapers Ltd
http://tinyurl.com/pcuwk
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My letter was published today in the Sussex Argus, only slightly edited. FYI the letters ed is concerned about libel and since I've started sending evidence (as attached) he has published all my letters containing controversial statements instead of just some.
Gary
Your recent article (The Argus, October 4th) about mobile phones for children reported outdated advice by Sir William Stewart of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the subject.
The NRPB has been superceded by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in regulating the health effects of mobile phones and the vast range of other microwave devices on the market.
The article failed to disclose recent announcements by Dr Jill Meara of the HPA, who said: "If there are risks - and we think that there could be - then the people who are going to be most affected are children," and "We will not know for several years what the real risks of mobile phones are."
Pakistan, Poland and Austria long ago banned children under 16 from using mobiles due to health concerns and the UK Government officially recommends they only use them in emergencies.
In America, from 1993 for six years, the Communications Industry employed 200 research doctors, at a cost of $28.5 million – to study the safety of their microwave systems. In all, 15 epidemiological studies were carried out.
They showed increased tumours, genetic damage, a greater risk to children, and damage to the blood-brain barrier; The research scientist leading these studies has predicted 30,000-50,000 cancers worldwide this year alone - of just one type of cancer. And this is the industry's own research.
The safety level set by our Government for masts, which emit identical microwave radiation to phones, is for short-term heating effects only, and is incorrectly relied upon by decision-makers for planning applications for masts.
Both the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety and the US Environmental Protection Agency agree on this. It is invalid for communities living near masts.
Re: Local paper hyping wireless as usual
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 08:42:31 EDT
Gary - The following is the full e-mail received. I have not been able to find this reported anywhere else.
Sylvia
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Here is the write up - also a shorter version in Daily Mail by Prigg. Don Maisch also lists it in his website: '#557: UK Health warning on mobile use by 91% of preteens' has been posted to EMFacts Consultancy.
The weblog version of this message is at:
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=557
Best
Yasmin
From Mast Sanity/Mast Network
