Health Implications of Base Stations

1
Health Implications of Base Stations Stuart C.
Clarke Specialist Trainee in Public
Health and Paul Edmondson-Jones Director of
Improving Health and Quality
2
Stewart Report (1) This is an independent
report, on behalf of the Government investigating
the possible health effects posed by mobile phone
technology, including base stations. It
reported in 2000. The balance of evidence to
date suggests that exposures to radiofrequency
radiation below NRPB and ICNIRP guidelines do not
cause adverse health effects to the general
population.
3
Stewart Report (2) There is now scientific
evidence, however, which suggests that there may
be biological effects occurring at exposures
below these guidelines. We recommend that a
precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone
technologies be adopted until much more detailed
and scientifically robust information on any
health effects becomes available.
4
Swerdlow Report This was a report from the
Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising
Radiation published in 2003. The weight of
evidence now available does not suggest that
there are adverse health effects from
exposures to radiofrequency fields below
guideline levels.
5
Other evidence Health Council of the
Netherlands does not constitute a health
hazard . further research is needed Swedish
Radiation Protection Authoritys
Independent Expert Group on Electromagnetic
Fields do not warrant any firm conclusion
about the possible biological effects
6
Government policy The government's policy is to
facilitate the growth of new and existing
telecommunications systems whilst keeping
environmental impact to a minimum. The
Government also has the responsibility for
protecting public health.
7
Department of Health policy The Department of
Health cites the results of the Stewart
report The balance of evidence indicates that
there is no general risk to the health of people
living near base stations, on the basis that
exposures are expected to be small fractions of
guidelines. The DoH also states that further
research is being set up
8
British Medical Association The BMA has given
recommendation on mobile phones but not
specifically mobile phone base stations The
BMA recommended in 2001, and repeated in
2005, the need for a precautionary approach to
mobile phones while research remains
inconclusive.
9
Health Protection Agency The HPA summarises
evidence and states that Typical exposures
(to radiofrequencies from base stations) at
locations accessible to the public are thousands
of times lower than guidelines.
10
What do others do? No data readily available
from Southampton City Council or West Sussex
County Council Hampshire County Council states
that current scientific evidence indicates that
(mobile phone base stations) are safe as long as
they are set up properly and satisfy the ICNIRP
emission standards.
11
Summary of evidence Overall, the current
evidence suggests that there are no adverse
health outcomes from exposure to radiofrequencies
emitted by mobile phone base stations. However,
data from current research may result in a change
in evidence.
12

• What do we do now?
• Proceed with recommendation based on current
• evidence
• Await further data from current research
• Await a future independent report based on
  current
• research

13
Recommendation In light of current evidence we
recommend that Hampshire County Councils and
Portsmouth City Councils policies for
applications to erect telecommunication base
stations on council land and property should be
maintained.