Dispelling the Myths About Mobile Phone Radiation

They say that the public discussion is confusing, with people left struggling to weigh up which claims to take seriously. Many people have become anxious about exposure to non-ionising forms of radiation, from mobiles, Wi-Fi and masts. The scientists also fear that people are now being encouraged to spend their money on all manner of unnecessary products that claim to protect from EMFs.

The scientists, working with Sense About Science, have identified some of the tools and insights that they themselves rely on, in the hope it might help to deliver to the public a clearer picture of what radiation is, what it does and what it canÃ't do.

A new guide they have published, Making Sense of Radiation, offers some familiarisation with the areas of discussion and controversy, and helps people to question things theyÃ've heard or read about radiation.

In summary it says:

• Speculative stories about health risks and RF radiation often go uncorrected, leaving a trail of confusion that prevents public discussion and policy from moving forward.
• To counter this they wanted to share some insights, like the fact that different types of radiation exist, that ‘cancer clustersÃ' are unusual and that by picturing what radiation is like you see that the ‘electrosmogÃ' metaphor is misleading.
• Current research does not show that EMFs from mobile phones, masts and Wi-Fi cause harmful effects.
• The scientists had a look at a range of products claiming to protect us from EMFs and concluded that they exploited peopleÃ's fears, were unnecessary and generally did not do what they promised.

So why do they think itÃ's important to do this now?

Professor Anthony Barker, Consultant Clinical Scientist, Royal Hallamshire Hospital: "When potential problems are highlighted, such as health risks from overhead power cables or mobile phones, it is the duty of scientists to look into them. However, if after considerable research effort no plausible mechanisms or robust and replicable findings have been found, there comes a time when science and society should move on and focus their finite resources into areas that are more likely to reap significant benefits."

The guide Making Sense of Radiation is published by Sense About Science with the assistance of the British Institute of Radiologists, the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

You can download the document (pdf file, 20 pages) from the Sense About Science website.

They also asked some scientists to have a look at some of these "anti-EMF" products, and here they explain what the problems with the claims are.

Posted to the site on 7th October 2008