Expert Scientists in their field from across Europe and the World outlined the problems with the current ICNIRP^[7] exposure guidelines. Brain tumour specialist Dr. Lennart Hardell^[4] from Sweden spoke on brain tumours and acoustic neuromas. His work on mobile phones, cordless phones and brain tumours is widely recognized to be pivotal in the debate about the safety of wireless radio frequency and microwave radiation. Professor Olle Johansson^[2],also from Sweden, gave a presentation on microwave radiation effects on immune function and electrical hypersensitivity. BioInitiative^[10] co-editor Cindy Sage from the USA summarized the scientific evidence from the Report documenting the inadequacy of existing international public safety standards.

Robert Verkerk^[9] chaired the conference and spoke of the need for a fundamental change in scientific thinking to incorporate new observations of subtle energy effects from microwave radiation. Roger Coghill^[5] gave his thesis that it is electric field exposure, from sources such as Mobile Phone Masts, and not magnetic fields, that are of greatest concern to health. He also discussed a possible mechanism for cancer related to the combination of nitrates and electric fields. Dr. Gerd Oberfeld^[8] discussed epidemiological evidence for health effects from Mobile Phone Masts in France and Spain. Dr. John Walker discussed similar informal studies in the UK. Dr. Chris Busby^[3] presented a short history of how entrenched scientific thinking and individuals have stalled the advancement of science.

Several other speakers^[6] chronicled life-changing illnesses, including ElectroHypersensitivity (EHS), that occurred following the erection of Mobile Phone Masts near to their homes. EHS - which can be very debilitating - is thought to result from large changes in the immune system caused by continuing exposure to microwave radiation, leading to chronic inflammation and allergic responses. Estimates of EHS vary from 3% to 10% of the population in the UK and other European countries.

In a joint declaration the scientists called on the UK's HPA to adopt the exposure limits as used within the Austrian district of Salzburg – which are hundreds of times lower than those currently used within the UK. The scientists agreed that the evidence of ill health effects from microwave radiation at levels way below current UK limits is now “overwhelming”.

Mast Sanity agree.

Mast Sanity spokesperson Yasmin Skelt, present at the Conference, said “The Health Protection Agency is ignoring the ever growing number of health problems – including cancers – linked to microwave exposure and is NOT protecting the Public from these dangers. The scientific evidence is mounting too – and the HPA are ignoring it all.”

“In short, the HPA must adopt much lower exposure guidelines for Mobile Phone Masts, Wi-fi and other devices - or else it continues to fail in its duty to protect British citizens from serious harm.”

Notes and References:

[1] The London Resolution – http://mastsanity.org/londonresolution – (will contain a link to the London Resolution document when it is finalized).

[2] Olle Johansson - http://www.icems.eu/docs/bios_Johansson.pdf

Prof Johansson has published over 300 peer reviewed papers, many in the field of EMF bioeffects. He lectures frequently on this issue, and conducts experimental research on weak field effects on surface tissues. Sweden is the only country in the World that recognise EHS as a disability.

[3] PINCHE - http://www.pinche.hvdgm.nl/

Dr Christopher Busby, Subcontractor, Policy Interpretation Network on Children's Health and Environment (PINCHE) - The PINCHE-project is a Policy Interpretation Network on Children's Health and Environment that is funded by the European Union for three years. The PINCHE project is designed to provide decision makers, environmental health professionals, and other stakeholders with information relevant for policy development. This will help making decisions about issues in the area of children's health and environment.

[4] Lennart Hardell (biography) - http://www.icems.eu/docs/bios_Hardell.pdf

Dr Lennart Hardell^[4] is professor in oncology and cancer epidemiology at the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden. Most of his research has been on risk factors for cancer such as exposure to pesticides and persistent organic pollutants. During recent years he and his co-workers have studied use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk for brain tumours. This research is independently funded unlike the Interphone studies.

[5] Roger Coghill (biography) - http://www.cogreslab.co.uk/rogerbio.asp

Roger Coghill has for over twenty years directed an independent bioelectromagnetics laboratory in South Wales, specialising on the interactions between the physical energies of electricity and magnetism and organic life.

[6] Eileen O'Connor - RRT - http://www.radiationresearch.org/

Eileen O'Connor, a breast cancer victim, campaigns extensively for regulatory recognition of the adverse effects of cellphone masts.

[7] The ICNIRP guidelines are only intended to protect the public against short term gross heating effects and NOT against 'biological' effects such as cancer and genetic damage from long term low level microwave exposure from mobile phones, their masts and many other wireless devices. They even state this, see http://www.icnirp.de/documents/emfgdl.pdf

[8] Dr. Gerd Oberfeld - http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/docs/oberfeld_wlan_06.pdf

Dr Oberfeld is responsible for environmental medicine and since 1994 has been adviser for environmental medicine of the Austrian Medical Association being responsible for the postgraduate course in Environmental Medicine. His Government warn that WiFi should not be used in schools. It also has the lowest exposure guidelines in the World.

[9] Dr Robert Verkerk, Alliance for Natural Health, Dorking, SURREY - http://www.alliance-natural-health.org/index.cfm - The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) was founded in 2002 and is a UK-based, internationally-active, non-governmental organization, working to help positively shape the regulatory and scientific framework affecting natural health.

[10] The Bioinitiative Report - http://www.bioinitiative.org

Cindy Sage is a first author of the Bioinitiative review of scientific literature on EMF bioeffects, a review which concluded that the ICNIRP guidelines are inadequate to protect public health.

[11] Dr. John Walker - http://www.flareit.co.uk/scram/research.htm