Are mobiles dangerous?
Now my question to you is, how much faith can we place in this "kit"? After all, if mobile phones *are* dangerous, the costs to companies ie. the replacement of mobiles to "safe" models, lawsuits, and the replacement of mobile phone towers would run into the billions. Therefore, can we really trust the information that we receive on this issue? The government and the big companies would not tell the public that mobiles are dangerous if it would destroy the whole industry would they? After all, the cover-ups are not unknown. Remember asbestos? That was thought to be safe once. It was however, found to be deadly and its status as a lethal contaminant was allegedly kept secret by the manufacturers in order that they could continue selling it. What about cigarettes? They were still sold for years until they were "found" to be dangerous. How do we know that mobile phones will not be found to be similarly dangerous in the next ten years, and that the big companies were continuing to sell them despite this knowledge? It is a distinct possibility is it not? Thoughts?
Mobile phones not health risk, says kit
November 8, 2004 - 5:34PM
A new information kit on mobile phones and phone towers has rejected concerns the radiation they emit causes health problems.
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) launched information guides and a website setting out the latest research on electromagnetic energy (EME).
"The weight of national and international scientific opinion is that there is no substantiated evidence that using a mobile phone causes harmful health effects," the kit says.
"Although there have been studies reporting biological effects at low levels, there has been no indication that such effects might constitute a human health hazard, even to long-term exposure."
ARPANSA had conducted regular tests of mobile phone base stations throughout the country and found emissions were usually many times lower than allowable limits.
Communications Minister Helen Coonan said the government used the most up-to-date information to set standards for mobile phones and towers.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
"In Australia, ARPANSA sets the standard for public and occupational limits of exposure to radiofrequency emissions," Senator Coonan said.
"The standard is set at a limit thousands of times below the level at which adverse health effects are known to occur."
The website, www.emr.aca.gov.au, and kit also set out how complaints can be made about the placement and operation of mobile phone towers.
ACA acting chairman Dr Bob Horton said as mobile networks expanded the ACA recognised there was community concern about phones and towers.
"The package ... provides a comprehensive reference to facts, details and processes which the community has in the past shown some anxiety over," he said.
Edited by - esquilax on 11/8/2004 7:45:26 PM