Alternattiva publishes study on electromagnetic radiation

In the light of a new study which warns of possible harmful effects of GSM radiation, þ is urging a more cautious policy on the part of the local authorities in the issue of permits for mobile phone antennae.

"While acknowledging the immense benefits of this technology we should also be cautious", declared AD spokesperson James Debono.

The report called 'The Physiological and Environmental Effects of Non-ionising Electromagnetic Radiation' was prepared by the University of Warwick in the U.K. and the International Institute of Biophysics in Germany has been presented to the European Parliament last February.

This Study focuses upon an aspect of how living organisms, and humans, in particular, can be adversely affected by highly coherent electromagnetic fields of technological origin. Supporting evidence is presented, and attention drawn to a disturbing consistency between some of these influences and the nature of certain adverse health effects found amongst some exposed people.

The study recommends the following policy options to the European Parliament.

These include:
· That the non-emergency use of mobile phones by children and particularly per-adolescents - be strongly discouraged, on account of their increased vulnerability to any potential adverse health effects.

· That the Mobile Phone Industry be required to refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones amongst children by the use of advertising tactics exploiting peer pressure and other strategies to which the young are particularly susceptible, such as the (now discontinued) use of DISNEY characters fascias on the phones.

The report warns that GSM radiation might harm the neurological and scholastic development of pre adolescents and children. The report also warns against the construction of base stations and antennae near schools.

When referring to emissions from mobile phone antennae and base stations the report concludes that " the emissions are far below - by many orders of magnitude - the limits set by the Guidelines. What is currently disputed, however, is whether, in the case of the alive human organism, this radiation can exert other, more subtle, kinds of non-thermal influences, which might also entail adverse health consequences".

The report should not be seen as a cause for unnecessary alarm but clearly indicates that we should take a far more cautious attitude in these matters.

"Even if we are not completely sure about any harmful effects, it is better to be safe than sorry and our young children should not be exposed to unnecessary risks. In the light of this the construction of mobile phone antennea on schools and places frequented by children should be stopped".