Nexus - 1402 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

OB OY oF VEN? FUNDING SOURCES AFFECT OUTCOMES OF MOBILE PHONE STUDIES HEALTH FEARS LEAD SCHOOLS TO DISMANTLE WIRELESS NETWORKS lhe use of mobile telephones \ has increased rapidly in recent years. The emission of low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields leading to the absorption of radiation by the brain in users of hand-held mobile phones has raised concerns regarding potential effects on health (Rothman, 2000). However, the studies examining this issue have produced conflicting results, and there is ongoing debate on this issue (Ahlbom et al., 2004; Feychting et al., 2005). Many of the relevant studies have been funded by the telecommunications industry, and thus may have resulted in conflicts of interest (Thompson, 1993). Recent systematic reviews of the influence of financial interests in medical research concluded that there is a strong association between industry sponsorship and pro-industry conclusions (Bekelman et al., 2003; Yaphe et al., 2001). This association has not been examined in the context of the studies of potential adverse effects of mobile phone use. Researchers at the University of Berne, University of Bristol and University of Basel conducted a systematic review of studies of controlled exposure to radiofrequency radiation with health- related outcomes (electroencephalogram, y Pps and teachers are forcing some schools in the UK to dismantle wireless computer networks amid fears that they could damage children's health. More schools are putting transmitters in classrooms to give pupils wireless access from laptops to the school computer network and the Internet. But many parents and some scientists fear that low levels of microwave radiation emitted by the transmitters could be harmful, causing loss of concentration, headaches, fatigue, memory and behavioural problems and possibly cancer in the long term. At the Prebendal School, a prestigious preparatory school in Chichester, West Sussex, a group of parents lobbied the head teacher, Tim Cannell, to remove the wireless network last month. Mr Cannell told the Times: "We listened to the parents' views and they were obviously very concerned. We also did a lot of research. The authorities say it is safe, but there have been no long-term studies to prove this." Judith Davies, who has a daughter at the school, said: "Many people campaign against mobile phone masts near schools, but there is a great deal of ignorance about wireless computer networks. Yet they are like having a phone mast in the classroom and the transmitters are placed very close to the children." Stowe School, the Buckinghamshire public school, also removed part of its wireless network after a teacher became ill. Michael Bevington, a classics teacher for 28 years at the school, said that he had such a violent reaction to the network that he was too ill to teach. "I felt a steadily widening range of unpleasant effects whenever I was in the classroom," he said. "First came a thick headache, then pains throughout the body, sudden flushes, pressure behind the eyes, sudden skin pains and burning sensations, along with bouts of nausea. Over the weekend, away from the classroom, I felt completely normal." (Source: The Times, UK, 20 November 2006, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ article/0,,591-2461748,00.html) cognitive or cardiovascular function, hormone levels, symptoms and subjective well-being). Of 59 studies, 12 (20%) were funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry, 11 (19%) were funded by public agencies or charities, 14 (24%) had mixed funding (including by industry), and in 22 studies (37%) the source of funding was not reported. The researchers concluded that interpretation of results from studies of health effects of radiofrequency radiation should take sponsorship into account. (Source: University of Berne, Switzerland, http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/ 9149/9149.html) —_—=, Soe Phare two Phase one 6 = NEXUS www.nexusmagazine.com FEBRUARY — MARCH 2007