§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum effective radiated power permitted from a mobile phone base station. [37097]
§ Mr. WorthingtonI am advised by the Radio Communications Agency, which is the licensing authority for these operations, that the maximum effective radiated power permitted from a mobile phone base station should not exceed 30 dBW (decibel watts).
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the long-term effects of exposure to radiation from mobile phones and base stations. [37099]
§ Mr. WorthingtonNo specific research has been commissioned in relation to Northern Ireland. However, the Department of Health has commissioned two studies on biological effects of microwaves as part of its Radiation Protection Research Programme. The first is investigating the influence of radiation on learning ability and behaviour. The other is a laboratory study looking for biological responses from human cells in the electromagnetic radiation field. That Department is also contributing to the World Health Organisation's International Electromagnetic Field project, which includes the health effects of microwaves.
The Government obtain advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the risks to health of exposure to electromagnetic fields. NRPB's advice is that mobile phones and base stations currently operating in the United Kingdom comply with the recommended exposure limits.