HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 c446W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has commissioned into the non-thermal effects of microwave transmissions associated with(a) telecommunication masts, (b) mobile telephones and (c) cordless telephones; and if he will make a statement. [93913]

Yvette Cooper

The Department's Radiation Protection Research Programme has funded a study of the effect of mobile phone frequency radiation (microwaves) on memory and reaction times in humans. The work was carried out at Bristol University and the results were published on 8 April in the International Journal of Radiation Biology. A further study on the effects of radiofrequency radiation on behaviour patterns is being carried out at Chemical and Biological Defence Porton Down. This work is not yet complete.

In addition, the National Radiological Protection Board, which is sponsored by the Department, is carrying out biological investigations into possible behavioural effects of mobile phone radiation.

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