Mobile phones and base stations
The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) was set up in 1999
to examine the possible effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations
and transmitters on health.
The Group published its report, mobile phones and health, in May 2000. The Government response to the report is also available.
The report concluded that exposures to radiofrequency (RF) radiation below national guidelines do not have adverse health effects to the general population. However, it was also concluded that RF exposures, even at levels under the national guidelines, do have biological effects, and that children absorb more energy than adults. Therefore, the group recommended a precautionary approach, and that more scientific research be undertaken. The Government is taking this forward under a Mobile telecommunications and health research programme.
The Group did not recommend that base stations be prohibited on or near school grounds. However, it concluded that 'the beam of greatest RF intensity' (which normally falls to the ground between 50 to 200 meters from the base of a mast) should not be permitted to fall on a school's grounds or buildings without permission from the school and parents.
Government agrees that schools and parents should be reassured that the base stations near school and other places where children spend considerable time operate within guidelines. The network operators have agreed to provide schools, on request, with information on the level of intensity of radio frequency radiation from a base station on or near their premises.
Ofcom has undertaken an audit of base stations, to ensure that the emissions do not exceed the national guidelines. The result of the audit can be found here.
In 2001, the planning arrangements for telecommunications masts in England were changed. The changes have, amongst other things, strengthened the public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 metres and below, so that they are exactly the same as for planning permissions. It is also required that school governors be consulted on all proposals for masts on or near a school or college. Additionally, network operators must consult local people, including schools and colleges, before submitting an application to erect a mast.
The code of best practice on mobile phones network development was published in 2002, and sets out procedures for network operators to follow when consulting with schools and colleges before they submit an application to erect a mast. Schools and colleges must now be consulted directly before an application is submitted. The consultation will not directly involve parents, although the DCSF considers it good practice for schools to consult parents when considering the siting of a base station on the school premises.
The local planning authorities are also required to consult the local schools when an application for a base station is received. The local authorities will have a period of 56 days in which to decide and announce whether prior approval is required from the school or college. This period cannot be extended.
The DCSF advises any school or college that wishes to be consulted about base stations in their local area to notify their local planning authority.
Children's use of mobile phones
It is recognised that there may be circumstances where the use of a mobile phone by a child can promote safety, for example in enabling them to call for help. However, the Group recommended that the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged, because of their greater absorption of energy in the tissues of the head, their developing nervous system, and the longer lifetime of exposure. See also the Group's response to this recommendation.
The Government has issued a public health leaflet, mobile phones and health. This recommends that where children and young people do use mobile phones, they should be encouraged to:
- use mobile phones for essential purposes only
- keep all calls short — talking for long periods prolongs exposure and should be discouraged.
The UK chief medical officers recommend that if parents want to avoid their children being subject to any possible risk that might be identified in the future, the way to do so is to exercise their choice not to let their children use mobile phones. Schools may wish to take this advice into account when considering any policies on the use of mobile phones by pupils.
Last updated: 30 April 2008
