Saturday, September 20, 2008

Radiation Research Trust

News update from RRT

19th September 2008

On 8th & 9th September, the Radiation Research Trust brought together leading experts in the fields of science, politics and regulation from across the globe to debate the health effects of electromagnetic fields. This was the first time that such a conference was organised to include experts from both sides of the health debate (those that believe electromagnetic fields have negative effects on health and those that believe the opposite is true).

Entitled 'Electromagnetic fields and health – a global issue', the conference took place at the Royal Society, and was attended by a number of highly prominent speakers. These included speakers from world establishments such as ICNIRP, WHO, RNCNIRP and national bodies such as the UK Health Protection Agency and the MTHR. They were joined by scientists, politicians, lawyers and concerned citizens, each offering differing viewpoints in order to encourage discussion around risk assessment, precautionary measures, social policy and areas where further research is required.

The conference produced a number of informative presentations on a wide variety of issues related to electromagnetic radiation. Topics covered included the effects of mobile phone base stations, brain tumour studies, studies on electro-sensitivity and electromagnetic fields effects on animals and humans.

The conference was organised by the Radiation Research Trust with the aim of developing appropriate precautionary guidance so that policy-makers can make the best decisions about regulation and give clear and appropriate advice to the public, in particular parents, young people and those with environmental sensitivities.

Eileen O'Connor, Trustee at the Radiation Research Trust, said:

"The conference was extremely successful in gathering some of the World's leading speakers and organisations with expertise in electromagnetic radiation, sparking debate on public policy and the precautionary approach. Now we need to collectively agree on the way forward, filling in the gaps in scientific research and whilst doing this, looking at ways to keep the public informed of potential risks with appropriate precautionary advice."

www.radiationresearch.org

The RRT is producing conference proceedings which will follow later on this year.

Also see further news and reports about the RRT Conference

Powerwatch UK

Please visit Powerwatch UK for an overview of the conference.

http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20080917_rrt_conference.asp

Dr Ian Gibson, Labour MP and trustee for the Radiation Research Trust extended a warm welcome, inviting guests to join him for dinner at Westminster.

Photograph taken at Westminster Monday 8th September, 2008

News coverage from the RRT conference

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/61725/Is-wi-fi-putting-our-children-in-danger-

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/electronic-smog-is-disrupting-nature-on-a-massive-scale-921711.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1659731.ece

http://www.metro.co.uk/mobile/article.html?Mobiles_linked_to_kids'_bad_behaviour&in_article_id=298487&in_page_id=63

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2008/09/08/use-of-mobiles-cause-child-behavioural-problems/

http://www.medindia.net/news/Mobile-Usage-During-Pregnancy-Linked-to-Behavioural-Problems-in-Kids-41574-1.htm

http://www.britainnews.net/story/403691

http://news.smashits.com/292394/Mobile-use-during-pregnancy-can-cause-behavioural-problems-in-kids.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/2699733/Mobile-phones-can-give-you-brain-tumours.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health/Using_mobile_while_pregnant_Beware/articleshow/3458115.cms

Microwave News

September 18… "Where is Interphone?" asked Ian Gibson, a member of the U.K. Parliament at last week's Radiation Research Trust (RRT) conference in London. "Whose desk is it on?" No one offered an answer, not even Anders Ahlbm, a member of the Swedish Interphone group, who earlier that morning had given a talk on EMF epidemiology.

Read the details at:

http://www.microwavenews.com

Mikko Ahonen posting about the conference:

http://beyondcreativity.blogs.com/mblog/2008/09/i-am-back-from.html

Another Important development

European Parliament Recommends Stricter Safety Limits for Cell Phones

Sep 18, 2008 13:12 ET

ALBANY, NY--(Marketwire - September 18, 2008) - University at Albany, Institute for Health and the Environment - The European Parliament has voted 522 to 16 to recommend tighter safety standards for cell phones. In light of the growing body of scientific evidence implicating cell phone use with brain tumors, the Parliament says, "The limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMFs] which have been set for the general public are obsolete."

The European Parliament "is greatly concerned at the Bio-Initiative international report concerning EMFs, which summarises over 1500 studies on that topic and which points in its conclusions to the health risks posed by emissions from mobile-telephony devices such as mobile telephones, UMTS, WiFi, WiMax and Bluetooth, and also DECT landline telephones.

Want to read more about it? http://new.marketwire.com/2.0/release.do?id=901580