Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation covers a wide spectrum of energy
waves from gamma rays (high frequency and short wavelengths),
through visible light and down to very low radio frequency.
Although the word "radiation" is used, it is
not the same as that produced by nuclear reactions and
does not have the same health implications.
The following relates to the more topical electromagnetic
radiations currently causing some concern:
Over-Head Powerlines
High voltage electrical powerlines increase our exposure
to electromagnetic fields (emf).
Emf exposure has been suggested to cause various health
problems and research around the world is being carried
out to see whether the claims of ill-health can be substantiated.
The majority of reports show there to be no adverse health
impacts and the National Radiological Protection Board
(established by the Government in 1970 to research and
provide advice on radiations including emf) currently
concludes that there are no health risks associated with
overhead powerlines. However a number of other counties
are taking precautionary action to reduce the public exposure
to emf even though the need to do so has not been scientifically
demonstrated.
Mobile Phones and Mobile Phone Base Stations
Well over half this country's population own mobile phones
which have become an essential piece of equipment in both
the home and workplace settings. They have lead to a revolution
in communications from which a modern society can not
turn back.
Base stations receive and transmit radio frequencies
serving an area or "cell" over varying distances
ranging from a few hundred metres up to 10km. Without
suitably placed base stations, mobile phones would not
work.
Although larger base stations need planning
permission, those masts under 15m high have permitted
development rights so that the control exercised by the
local planning authority is limited. Test carried out
nationally and by Bexley Council have demonstrated that
exposure to radio waves from base stations is many times
lower than from the use of mobile phones and a minute
fraction of the current maximum guidelines.
The
guidelines relating to the safe use of mobile phones are
currently based on preventing the heating effects that
they can cause on the body. The balance of current research
suggests that exposure to radio waves below the guideline
levels will not affect the health of the general population.
However there is some evidence that exposure to radio
waves below the guidelines can cause changes in brain
activity. The cause and implications for these changes
is not clear particularly in relation to children and
young people under 16.
In 2000 a group of independent experts headed by Sir
William Stewart published a report which considered health
and mobile phones. The recommendations included the following:
- If you wish to minimise exposure to radio waves (particularly
for children) keep mobile phone calls short.
- Choose a mobile phone with low SAE value (specific
absorption rate)
- In relation to radio waves from base stations, the
precautionary approach should be adopted through the
use of the standard recommended by the
 International
Committee on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
(The ICNIRP standard is adopted by Bexley Council when
considering any applications for the construction of
base stations).
Further Information
In addition to those listed in the
panel on the left, the following contacts are available:
Radiocommunications
Agency
Department
of Health
Stewart
Group (report)
National
Radiological Protection Board
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