§ The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberryasked Her Majesty's Government:
What research is being undertaken to assess the risks to human health from radiation given off by mobile telephones, microwave ovens and television sets; whether there is any discernible link between the number of cancer cases today and in 1950 when television was in its infancy; and what steps are being taken to warn or advise the general public about any necessary precautions. [HL1702]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)The Government obtain advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the risks to health from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Following the review of many years of experimental work the NRPB published itsRestrictions on Human Exposure to Static and Time Varying Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation, in Documents of the NRPB, 4, No. 5, 7–63 (1993). Copies of the guidelines have been placed in the Library. These guidelines set clearly defined values in order to prevent acute adverse responses to electromagnetic fields. The NRPB's advice is that mobile phones, microwave ovens and television sets currently used in the United Kingdom comply with their exposure guidelines.
Reliable figures are available for age-standardised cancer rates since 1971. There is an apparent gradual increase which can be attributed in part to improvements in cancer registration. While most cancers have no suggested link with EMF, research into the alleged link between some types of cancer and EMF is currently being undertaken on a worldwide basis. The Government are currently supporting the World Health Organisation's project on electromagnetic fields and health. Information and advice on electromagnetic fields and health effects are available to the public through the publications of the NRPB.