Mobile Phones Is there a health risk? P.A.McKinney Institute of Epidemiology University of Leeds Information and Statistics Division of the NHS in Scotland EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Exposure to RF from sources other than mobile phones. Residential Residential Occupational Occupational

Residential exposure to RF. Main source is ‘far-field’ of radiotransmitter. Main source is ‘far-field’ of radiotransmitter. Field characteristics vary with parameters at the site and Field characteristics vary with parameters at the site and exposure area. exposure area. Meaurement generally has to be individually tailored for Meaurement generally has to be individually tailored for each installation. each installation. Epidemiological studies cannot rely on ‘generalised’ data Epidemiological studies cannot rely on ‘generalised’ data and to estimate exposure field measurements should be and to estimate exposure field measurements should be taken. taken. Dahme M. Residential RF exposures. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 1999;83: p

Occupational exposure to RF. Before mobile phones the workplace was the most Before mobile phones the workplace was the most significant source of exposure to EMF at radiofrequencies significant source of exposure to EMF at radiofrequencies (RF). (RF). Exposure assessment is complex and dosimetry in a Exposure assessment is complex and dosimetry in a ‘standard setting’ does not always represent ‘standard setting’ does not always represent exposure- epidemiological studies beware! exposure- epidemiological studies beware! Jokela K, Puranen L. Occupational RF exposures. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 1999;83: p

Occupations with significant exposure to RF (1). High frequency (HF) heaters functioning at 13 and 27 MHz High frequency (HF) heaters functioning at 13 and 27 MHz Industrial manufacturing technology, wooden and plastic Industrial manufacturing technology, wooden and plastic products. products. Exposure assessment - ? generalisable. Exposure assessment - ? generalisable. Plastic HF sealers most siginificant radiation problem. Plastic HF sealers most siginificant radiation problem. Jokela K, Puranen L. Occupational RF exposures. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 1999;83: p

Broadcast antenna repairers and construction Broadcast antenna repairers and construction - MF band (300 KHz - 3 MHz) Power 600KW - HF band (3 MHz - 30 MHz) Power 600KW - TV/FM radioband ( MHz) Power 10-50KW Exposure likely not a problem (not continuous) and involves Exposure likely not a problem (not continuous) and involves very small numbers of workers. very small numbers of workers. Occupations with significant exposure to RF (2). Jokela K, Puranen L. Occupational RF exposures. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 1999;83: p

Mechanics testing and maintaining high power RADAR Mechanics testing and maintaining high power RADAR systems. systems. Power is concentrated in narrow moving beam. Power is concentrated in narrow moving beam. Exposure assessment strongly related to each specific Exposure assessment strongly related to each specific application and user. application and user. Occupations with significant exposure to RF (3). Jokela K, Puranen L. Occupational RF exposures. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 1999;83: p

Hand held portable radiotelephones Hand held portable radiotelephones Induction heaters Induction heaters Short-wave/microwave therapy Short-wave/microwave therapy Base station antennas Base station antennas Magnetic resonance mapping Magnetic resonance mapping Microwave ovens Microwave ovens Industrial microwave heaters. Industrial microwave heaters. Other Occupations exposures to RF. Jokela K, Puranen L. Occupational RF exposures. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 1999;83: p

Epidemiological studies need to consider and take account Epidemiological studies need to consider and take account of exposure to RF other than from mobile phones. of exposure to RF other than from mobile phones. Associations indicating a risk of RF from mobile phones Associations indicating a risk of RF from mobile phones might be explained by other sources of exposure. might be explained by other sources of exposure. Are residential and occupational exposures of relevance to mobile phone researchers?