Mobile Phones Radiation Hazards

Transcription

1 Safety in modern Telecommunications Technologies Mobile Phones Radiation Hazards Mohammed el Hassan Abdul Karim This paper is an attempt to describe the present international debate on the subject of human safety in the environment of electromagnetic radiation notably of the mobile telephone systems. The radiation of electromagnetic field from both the hand-held devices and the fixed base stations normally spread over inhabitants in nearly all residential areas is a plausible cause for people to worry and may even lead to pandemic psychological impact. The subject aroused a sizable social unrest manifested in the daily papers and sporadic conventions with no significant results. The brunt of the paper is a review of the gist of main worldwide authorized studies and investigation from respected sources. Unsubstantiated responses to the issue are a standing phenomenon in the international media to day in particular the intervention of many sites and blogs of the Internet. Some of these responses are mentioned as an indicative example of the prevailing trend. All study and research institutions agreed that the subject is now a growing social concern and still more time is needed to elaborate more investigation and elicit more robust results. In this contest, the paper calls upon the pertinent civil society and state institutions to gird up and launch a national comprehensive multi-disciplinary study and research program to deal with the issue as a national interest and in the same time contribute to the regional and international efforts. The Reynard case: in mid-1992 a lawsuit filed in an US court in Florida by David Reynard alleged that using a cell phone had caused his wife's fatal brain cancer. The suit was dismissed by a Federal court in 1995 for lack of valid scientific evidence. Similar later suits were no more successful. Therefore since that time many questions on the subject of radiation hazards were raised for which no satisfactory answers existed. Consequently, waves of research in the United States and elsewhere were exploring possible links between cell phone radiation and cancer in particular. Since then there was a rising argument on the subject of mobile phone Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) possible hazards [1]. Newspapers around the globe provoked the subject over the past years so incessantly that it began to attract an unprecedented concern about health and environmental hazards. A notable effort was the US $27 million Wireless Technology Research (WTR) program based in Washington, D.C. USA, funded mostly by U.S. phone manufacturers. Under this program, health records of more than 250,000 mobile phone users were reviewed by Kenneth Rothman, a senior epidemiologist at Epidemiology Research Institute, in Newton Lower Falls, Mass. This study reported no difference in mortality between the users of hand-held portable phones, where the antenna is placed close to the head, and mobile cellular

2 phones, where the antenna is mounted on the vehicle with the apparent difference in exposure to radiation. In a later study, the cause of death among nearly 300,000 mobile phone users in several U.S. cities was investigated. "The only category of cause of death for which there was an indication of increasing risk with increasing minutes of use of the mobile phone," the investigators reported in November 1999 to the Journal of the American Medical Association, was motor vehicle collisions." Nevertheless, despite the hefty studies and researches conducted worldwide, concluded in essence that it is premature and untimely to admit harmful effects, newspapers kept aggravating the case to a limit that began to mark a dissent between mobile telephony service providers and the civil society in its entirety. In UK for example Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, recently said: "There is now more than sufficient evidence from a large number of reputable investigators who are finding that mobile phone exposure an hour before sleep adversely affects deep sleep." Lack of concentration and confusion, among other things are added to the list. Now it is a rising fear. This may have a negative impact on the industry [2]. A recent poll in UK done by the Guardian newspaper showed that the answer to the question: (If mobile phones were found to cause cancer, would you still use one?) yielded 41% answered yes and 59% no. The apprehension is then a real social feeling. The World Health Organization (WHO) as an international responsible body, for example, summarizes the status as follows: None of the recent reviews have concluded that exposure to RF fields from mobile phones or their base stations causes any adverse health consequence. This was promulgated after scrutinizing nearly all available researches and studies. Among all the efforts that ensued to study the case the most notable is the (Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones -IEGMP), commissioned in 1999 by the UK Government of a group of independent scientists to look into the subject of health threat from mobile phones. In May 2000 the group released its Stewart Report, named after its Chairman Sir William Stewart. The Report found no known health problems caused by mobile phones, but advised caution in use especially among the young, until more research was carried out [3]. A further report in 2004 backed this up. I protective Standardization The most important organization to give guidance regarding exposure to Electro- Magnetic Field (EMF) is the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). ICNIRP, whose members are independent experts from various countries, is formally recognized by WHO as the nongovernmental organization for EMF protection. In 1998, ICNIRP published guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 0 Hz to 300 GHz. The recommended limitations are a result of an extensive review and analysis of several thousand scientific papers related to effects to human health from exposure to electromagnetic fields. The limits have been set with wide margins and protect all persons from established adverse effects from short and long-term exposure. It is the conclusion

3 of ICNIRP and several other expert groups and authorities that there are no established health effects due to exposure below the recommended limits. The recommendations made by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP Guidelines 1998) were widely accepted and adopted by the EU and most of the other countries. These recommendations set a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limit of 2.0 Watts of radiation for one kilogram of the body (W/kg) averaged over a volume of 10g of tissue. In the United States, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) requires all cell phones to comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg averaged over a volume of 1g of tissue. [4] The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) accepts the ICNIRP standard 2.0 W/kg averaged over 10 gram of human tissues. Moreover, the ITU Study Group 5 (SG5) / Question 3 issued Recommendation k.52 "Guidance on complying with limits for human exposure to electromagnetic fields and Recommendation k.61 "Guidance to measurement and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations" to set the standard limits for exposure and estimations [5]. II - The Assumed Hazards of Microwave Radiation: 1-Thermal Effect A known effect of microwave radiation is heating of dielectric material (such as living tissue). In this case, as the level of temperature increases due to exposure to nonionic radiation, it is though less than that obtained during the exposure of the head to direct sunlight. The brain's blood circulation is capable of disposing of excess heat by increasing local blood flow (cooling effect). This is a biological effect. This biological effect like that of sun heat- is normally harmless for normal exposure and is physiologically compensated by the body mechanism [4] [6]. However, the cornea of the eye does not have this temperature regulation mechanism. Premature cataracts are known as an occupational disease of engineers who work on high power radio transmitters at similar frequencies. But premature cataracts however, have not been linked with cell phone use, possibly because of the lower power output of mobile phones. 2-Non-thermal effects Some studies claim that the pulse nature of mobile phone signals affect sleep patterns and may delay onset of sleep when exposed to the radiation. 1 In a clinical study, carried out by Sweden's Karolinska Institute and Wayne State University in the US, the authors concluded a research that suggested an association between RF exposure and adverse effects on sleep quality in certain sleep stages, though participants were unable to determine exactly if they had been exposed to actual radiation or sham exposure. [6] The UK National Health Service criticized the research outcome and also criticized the press for inaccurate reporting of the study [7]. 1 Pulsed structure of the GSM output signal has the main fame component of 8Hz which is close to brainwave clock signal at the rate of repetitions per second.

4 3-Carcinogenic effects (Cancer) One of the big concerns regarding the effects from exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields in the frequency range of 3 khz to 300 GHz is cancer and related syndromes. In a study that received extensive press coverage even before it was published, Lennart Hardell and his colleagues at the Örebro Medical Centre in Örebro, Sweden, assessed mobile phone use by 209 Swedish brain tumor patients in comparison to 425 healthy controls. The study, funded by the Swedish Medical Research Council, was negative in virtually all respects. The subject was also of interest to Subcommittee 4 (SC4) of the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES). The committee conducted a large number of epidemiologic/occupational studies pertaining to whether exposure of various population segments to electromagnetic fields in the said frequency range can initiate or promote cancer. The weight of the statistical evidence supports the conclusion of no RF induced cancer effects in humans [8 ]. On the other hand, there is a tacit acceptance that future epidemiologic studies are to be conducted, they should provide greater statistical power to pick up any possible obscure cancer effects (if they exist) within larger populations from exposure to the rapidly increasing use of mobile phone systems. Experimental analyses so far were in vivo and in vitro investigations with human volunteers, nonhuman mammals, and various mammalian tissues, micro-organisms, and fruit flies, concerning whether such fields could induce, promote, or co-promote uncontrolled cell growth (cancer) or cause other damage to cells and their internal components, the findings of nearly all reviewed works indicate that there is no scientifically valid experimental basis for the claims about a linkage between such exposures and the initiation, promotion, or co-promotion of cancer. An ICNIRP 1996 published statement mentioned The scientific evidence indicates that exposure to RF fields is not mutagenic and is therefore unlikely to act as an initiator of carcinogenesis. [9] Further, and in order to investigate more the risk of cancer for the mobile phone user, a cooperative project between 13 countries has been launched called INTERPHONE. The idea is that cancers need time to develop so only studies over 10 years are of interest. [10] The following studies of long time exposure have been published: A Danish study (2004) that took place over 10 years and found no evidence to support a link. [11] A Swedish study (2005) that draws the conclusion that "the data do not support the hypothesis that mobile phone use is related to an increased risk of glioma (a type of central nervous system and brain tumor) or meningioma (a type of benign brain tumor)." [12] A British study (2005) that draws the conclusion that "The study suggests that there is no substantial risk of acoustic neuroma in the first decade after starting mobile phone use. However, an increase in risk after longer term use or after a longer lag period could not be ruled out. (13]

5 A German study (2006) that states "in conclusion, no overall increased risk of glioma or meningioma was observed among these cellular phone users; however, for long-term cellular phone users, results need to be confirmed before firm conclusions can be drawn." [14 ] A joint study that draws the conclusion that "Although our results do not overall indicate an increased risk of glioma in relation to mobile phone use, the possible risk in the most heavily exposed part of the brain with long-term use needs to be explored further before firm conclusions can be drawn." [15] 4-Health Hazards of Base Stations In addition to the radiation caused by the mobile phone, Base stations and associated antennas are another source of radiation. The radiated energy is restricted to certain safe margin indicated by the International Commission on Non- Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). This subject is described in more scientific detail in A survey study in France (Santini et al) [16] dealt with individually reported symptoms from people living within 300 meter radius of GSM station towers in rural areas and 100 meter in urban areas. Symptoms reported were: fatigue, headache, sleep disturbance, and loss of memory. Similar results were obtained in Spain [17], Egypt [18], Poland [19], and Austria [20]. All those surveys did not show the necessary clustering or causality for statistical significance. It was judged that those complaints were of nocebo effect. Recently, and unlike the present 2G/2,5G GSM, the advent of the 3G mobile technology (Sudani & Kanar) may drastically improve the situation. Though the number of deployed towers will increase, but the use of microcells and the wideband technology adopted will considerably reduce the impact of hazardous effects. 5-Hazards due to masts 2 : Many people believed that the masts of mobile system base stations caused symptoms such as anxiety, nausea and tiredness. However, a pertinent Environmental Health Perspectives study in UK funded by the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research program, a body sponsored by the industry and governments stressed that people were nonetheless suffering "real symptoms". In the experiment, many of those who blame masts for their symptoms reported greater distress when they thought the signal was on, suggesting the problem has a psychological basis. "Belief is a very powerful thing," said Professor Elaine Fox, of the University of Essex, who led the three-year study. "If you really believe something is going to do you some harm, it will" added prof. Fox (25) (26) (27). However, the mast structures per se were a moot subject of greater concern in many countries abroad notably the UK. There is a growing repulsion of the undesired impact on environment aesthetic atmosphere. Civil society and environment pressure 2 I would like to draw attention here that despite many reputed world-class research institutions use the phrase mast emission, it is well-known that neither masts nor towers in the radio mobile systems has any active role in the emission process. The only role of these structures is to position the radiating element at a predefined height to ensure optimal signal spread. Aerials or antennas are the real culprit here.

6 groups, in addition to the Regulator, could remove this impact. Masts now tend to camouflage in the surrounding urban scenes. 6-Occupational Health Hazards Telecommunication workers, ex officio, normally spend extended time in direct vicinity of the equipment and installations so at the risk of greater exposure to high level radiating sources. Many studies were done over the past 50 years on such personnel. No increase in cancer rates over the general population was noticed [21]. Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, premature cataracts due to radiation heat effect on the cornea of the eye is well-known as an occupational disease of engineers in the field. 7-Electrical sensitivity Some users of mobile phones reported feeling of several unspecified symptoms during and after the phone use; ranging from burning and tingling sensations in the skin of the head and extremities, fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, loss of mental attention, disturbed reaction time and memory retentiveness, headaches, malaise, tachycardia (irregular heart beats), disturbance of the digestive system. All of these feelings were typical of electrical sensitivity and attributed to psychological stress or nocebo effect rather than outstanding hazard. Radiation Protection Division RPD- of the UK Health Protection Agency HPAinvestigated the subject of Electrical Sensitivity for the whole EM non-ionized Radiation band (0-300 GHz) and linked certain disturbances to exposure. Only the cause here was defined as a range of sources from low electrical sources (50 Hz) to low-frequency speech (4 khz) to as high as microwaves. An official study of the RPD HPA of UK linked those hazards to many varied sources (Video Display Unit VDU of laptops, microwave ovens, high tension pylons, uninterruptible power supply systems UPS and similar sources [22]. 8-Other environmental Hazards, the impact on the Biosphere: Another added concern and an alarming situation as well, rises from a report gathered from the U.S. and Europe concerning the systematic disappearance of many of bees colonies. Apiarists from all over the western countries reported the sudden shrinking of the widespread bee-hives that may invoke the notion of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). When this syndrome happens, for a reason or another, all bees flee the site and are never found again. In addition, many other termites and wildlife insects that raid the hive for honey will also disappear. Those insects, the bees and termites, are responsible for spreading the pollens that enhance plantation fertility. Consequently, farm crops will dwindle and a major setback will inflect food production.3 The theory behind this is that radiation from mobile phones and other hi-tech gadgets interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the home loving bees 3 Albert Einstein once said that if the bees disappeared, "man would have only four years of life left".

7 from finding their way back to their hives. The West Coast of USA is thought to have lost 60 per cent of its commercial bee population, with 70 per cent missing on the East Coast John Chapple, one of London's biggest bee-keepers, announced that 23 of his 40 hives have been abruptly abandoned. German research has long shown that bees behavior change near power transmission lines. A limited study at Landau University has found that bees refuse to return to their hives when mobile phones are placed nearby. Dr Jochen Kuhn, who carried it out, said this could provide a "hint" to a possible cause. Dr George Carlo, who headed a massive study by the US government and mobile phone industry of hazards from mobiles in the Nineties, said: "I am convinced the possibility is real." [29] Some environmental effects of mobile radio frequencies were related to migrating birds for example. They have been reported with no solid authentication to tend to loose navigational direction once fly near or perch on phone cell towers. The case was denounced by some as unclear. [30] The same source of information reported that: Some farmers have observed that cows grazing near cell towers are more likely to experience still births, spontaneous abortions, birth deformities and behavioral problems, not to mention general declines in overall health. Moving cattle herds away from such towers has reportedly led to immediate health improvements. Such allegations, even if they are not substantiated, tend to arouse an alarming attention and apprehension which need to deal with at the national level. III - recommendations In a spate of recommendations issued worldwide from all concerned institutions, we mention here those promulgated by the Arab League and collaborating agencies, including ITU, WHO and UNEP. These recommendations were ratified in The Regional Seminar on The role of ITC in Protecting Man and Environment: How to Limit the Impact of its Use was held at the Headquarters of the League of Arab States Secretariat, in Cairo, from 4-7 October Arab League sponsored Recommendations: Arab League Calls upon ICT administrations, companies, corporations, regulators and operators in the Arab Region [23] : To ensure that all workers in ICT activities are covered by regular medical checkup, and calls upon medical insurance companies and occupational insurance schemes to secure such coverage. To urge ICT equipment manufacturers to adopt sound environment management systems and cleaner production techniques, with a view to improving productivity and waste control, thus limiting related environmental hazards. To urge ICT equipment manufacturers to use safe materials and alternatives to hazardous materials as freon and halons used in refrigeration and fire-fighting equipment, which are detrimental to the Ozone layer. To ensure that workers in the field of ICT usage, installation and maintenance work in a healthy environment, and use personal safety gear, and to provide

8 medical clinics and facilities for those who may complain from sickness in the work place. To produce and disseminate scientific periodicals, in Arabic, focusing on health and environmental risks associated with ICT. To invite Mobile companies in the Arab Region to contribute to financing research work in the field of radiation measurement and assessment of other risks associated with the use of mobile telephony, including the impact of transmitter and relay stations. To invite Mobile companies in the Arab region to contribute to financing the launching of Arabic websites that would make available to users the results of research on the health and environmental impact of ICT, including mobile telephony. Calls upon Arab universities and research institutions: To give special attention to research on health and environmental impact of ICT, including the Internet and mobile telephony. To direct part of their research work to health and environmental impact of ICT on living organisms, including micro organisms, especially the effect of such impact on the ecological balance and human beings. To encourage the use of remote sensing technology and geographical information systems in such fields as: - The study of the spread of certain diseases and their relation to electromagnetic fields caused by ICT equipment and networks, including mobile telephony. - Elaboration of national plans for reduction of risks. - Strategic health and environment planning. - Disaster management. 2-WHO recommendations [24] World Health Organization (WHO) recommends: Strict adherence to health-based guidelines: International guidelines have been developed to protect everyone in the population: mobile phone users, those who work near or live around base stations, as well as people who do not use mobile phones. Precautionary measures Government: If regulatory authorities have adopted health-based guidelines but, because of public concerns, would like to introduce additional precautionary measures to reduce exposure to RF fields, they should not undermine the science base of the guidelines by incorporating arbitrary additional safety factors into the exposure limits. Precautionary measures

9 should be introduced as a separate policy that encourages, through voluntary means, the reduction of RF fields by equipment manufacturers and the public. Details of such measures are given in a separate WHO Background document. Individuals: Present scientific information does not indicate the need for any special precautions for use of mobile phones. If individuals are concerned, they might choose to limit their own or their children's' RF exposure by limiting the length of calls, or using "hands-free" devices to keep mobile phones away from the head and body. Obey local restrictions on mobile phone use to avoid EMF interference: Mobile phones may interfere with certain electro-medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers and hearing aids. In hospital intensive care departments mobile phone use can be a danger to patients and should not be used in these areas. Similarly mobile phones should not be used in aircraft as they may interfere with its navigation systems. Driving safety: In moving vehicles there is a well established increase in the risk of traffic accidents while the driver is using a mobile phone, either a conventional handset or one fitted with a "hands free" device. Motorists should be strongly discouraged from using mobile phones while driving. Simple protective measures: Fences or barriers or other protective measures are needed for some base stations (principally, those located on building rooftops) to preclude unauthorized access to areas where exposure limits may be exceeded. RF absorbing devices: Scientific evidence does not indicate any need for RF-absorbing covers or other "absorbing devices" on mobile phones. They cannot be justified on health grounds and the effectiveness of many such devices in reducing RF exposure is unproven. Consultations with the community in locating base stations: Base station sites must offer good signal coverage and be accessible for maintenance. While RF field levels around base stations are not considered a health risk, decisions to determine station s site should take into account aesthetics and public sensibilities. Siting base stations near kindergartens, schools and playgrounds may need special consideration. Open communication and discussion between the mobile phone operator, local council and the public during the planning stages for a new antenna can help create public understanding and greater acceptance of a new facility. Providing information:

10 An effective system of health information and communications among scientists, governments, industry and the public is needed to raise the level of general understanding about mobile phone technology and reduce any mistrust and fears, both real and perceived. This information should be accurate, and at the same time be appropriate in its level of discussion and understandable to the intended audience. 3-General Precautionary measures to use mobile phone The high-frequency electromagnetic fields which are produced when using mobile phones are often much stronger than the fields people are exposed to from mobile phone base stations in their vicinity. Therefore, the German Office for Radiation Protection, (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz BfS) considers it especially important to minimize as far as possible the fields mobile phone users are exposed to. The following recommendations may be helpful: 1. Use a fixed network telephone if you have the choice between using a mobile phone and a fixed network phone. Always make the fixed telephone your first choice. 2. Keep the calls short. 3. Buy a phone with a long 'talk time'. It is more efficient, with less powerful emissions. 4. Don't use your phone when the reception is weak, the phone then needs more power to communicate with the base station and so the radiowave emissions are higher. 5. Try to use the phone outdoors rather than inside, or move close to a window to make a call. 6. Send text messages whenever possible. Then mobile phone is at greater distance from the head. 7. Use a mobile phone with a low SAR value which exposes the user's head to rather low fields. The smaller the field intensity, the less energy is deposited in the human tissues. Information on mobile phone SAR values is available from the manufacturer s manual booklet or at Use mobile phone headsets. The field intensity decreases strongly with the distance to the antenna. A headset serves to increase the distance between the head and the antenna of the mobile phones so that the user's head is exposed to lower fields during phone calls. (Nevertheless, it is advisable in this case to seek professional advice NTC for instance. The headset cable should be at certain length only specified by practicing engineer). 8. Wait until the connection has been established. The GSM mobile phone uses maximum transmitting power while connecting. Do not hold the mobile phone to your ear while you are waiting for the connection to be established. In this case it is advisable to use phone that can display answering condition. 9. Keep the phone away from areas of the body such as eyes, testicles, breasts and internal organs. 10. Limit usage as much as possible if pregnant. 11. Switch off your phone when not in use.

11 IV - Growing Concern: Cell phones are an inevitable part of our lifestyle and work environment. At the same time, it is not logical to eliminate the radiation of these systems; radiation is an inherent characteristic thereof. So radiation hazards posed by mobile handsets are real. That justifies the growing international concern and the expensive and costly researches ongoing for more than a decade. Dealing with this dilemma need us to consider certain postulates: 1. Mobile communication is a necessity for modern mode of living and an anchor to world economies. Even the trade-off against the assumed hazards calls for more elaborate investigation than to restrain or limit the mobile usage. 2. Given the expected numbers of mobile users and the rapid acceleration (It took from 1984 to 2004 to reach the first billion cell phones, the second billion took just 18 months, the third billion took only nine months and the fourth billion just six months) even small adverse effects on health can incur major public health upheaval. Minor statistical differences marginal accuracy indicate the general acceptance of causal study results. But, however, this can develop considerable concern if the unmatched count is of significant number. For instance, if 1 in prove affected by certain syndrome after a specific presubscribed conditions, it is normally does not affect accepting the normality of the case and, prima facie, the 0.1% is of no significant value. But when the population grows wider and bigger the case is different. 0.1 % for a population of 5 million is 5000 subjects, for 4 billion it is 4 million. That triggers a distressing situation and calls for immediate treatment though of insignificant statistical value. 3. It is evident that the growing concern about the EMF hazards is of primarily psychological basis. That necessitates psychological research programs in close association with the physiological in vitro/in vivo studies. 4. The abstruse, esoteric research findings should be promulgated to the public in plain language to mitigate the harsh psychological impact. 5. The NTC the regulator out of its shear and pivotal responsibility, should seek consultation from community interest groups and other stakeholders to jointly develop clear standards and procedures. This can be an important step in building trust among relevant interested parties. 6. Honesty should be maintained about the limits of available scientific evidence, and about the gaps in scientific knowledge. State policy should encourage and adopt know-how methodology transfer. 7. NTC and the State concerned parties should support further scientific research not just by the industry concerned but more widely, with the remit for this research decided by all stakeholders, relevant scientists and institutions. 8. Acceptance of scientific evidence is only one form of knowledge, and that other perspective and experiences should be heard. 9. Rigorous scientific explanation should be a source for regulatory decisions NTC might deem appropriate to impose on mobile operators. 10. NTC should study the possibility of replacing the 2nd generation mobile systems with those of the 3rd generation as soon as it may be pssible. That shall reduce significantly the radiated energy from base stations and phone sets. 11. NTC should consider adopting technologies that help reduce exposure to radiation such as Femto-cell access.

12 12. NTC, SSMO and academia should coordinate efforts to establish a national commission to investigate, standardize and promulgate the culture to maintain a reasonable eco-system by identifying and harnessing among other things- the drastic onset of radiation, e-waste and the deployed masts and towers that mar the urban aesthetic landscape. V - New National Task : Based on the past discussion it is high time now for the country s relevant entities (physicians, pathologists, psychiatrists, physicists, chemists, social experts and academics) to coordinate efforts with the NTC, Sudan Standards & Metrology Organization (SSMO) and Consumer Protection association to develop plans for further studies and investigation. Close collaboration with regional and international bodies that may transfer needed expertise should be sought. Having in mind the wide gap of social status compared with the western world where most of the studies were done and the outcome accordingly assessed, the expected studies and investigations should regard the differential situation of the Sudanese society. Studies should focus on, inter alia, certain pertinent topics that normally address characteristic national issues and add specific tint to the anticipated outlay. The following points are referred to: 1- The impact of radiation on the poor sectors of the society and nonurban communities: The inherent poor social basic services that created certain segments of lower health status can be abnormally affected by radiation. This status is normally worsened by low educational level if not none at all and insufficient general or common knowledge to guarantee the minimal level of needed awareness. 2- The impact of radiation on the ethnically disparate communities: A safety document of the U. S. Department of Energy mentioned that many factors like, inter alia, ethnic origin can be a factor to increase cancer risk due to radiation exposure (28). Certain diseases selectively affect certain ethnic groups (e. g. sickle cell anaemia). Ethnically differentiated studies need to be addressed in the country. 3- The implication of radiation for the Biosphere: The case of the bees mentioned under II-8 above is certainly one aspect of biosphere potential hazards that relate to agriculture. This is of utmost concern to Sudan. It is very much recommended to launch an investigative studies and experimental work to monitor such radiation impact. The study should be comprehensively quantitative and qualitative. The National Telecommunications Corporation NTC should be supported by the abovementioned stakeholders and interested parties through propitious dissertations and consultations. Relevant regulations and public awareness programs and guides

13 should ensue thereof. As collateral to these efforts NTC may investigate the anticipated technological upgrade timeline of the running networks or create one in an attempt to, among other things, mitigate such hazards and scale down the effect of e-waste and the onset on urban environment. These tasks may turn to be, in the very near future, a national obligation. References: 1. Are Mobile Phones Safe? IEEE Spectrum - Kenneth R. Foster & John E. Moulder, August, The Independent - January 20, (download in PDF format). 4. "Mobile communications and health Tomas Persson and Christer Törnevik, Ericsson Review No. 2, Standardization in the field of radiation protection - F. Lewicki, Polish Telecom (Rapporteur for Q3, ITU-T SG5), Power Point Presentation, Arnetz, BB; Akerstedt, T; Hillert, L; Lowden, A; Kuster, N; Wiholm, C (2007). "The Effects of 884 MHz GSM Wireless Communication Signals on Self-reported Symptom and Sleep (EEG)- An Experimental Provocation Study" 7. Mobile effect on sleep. Behind the Headlines. National Health Service ( ). 8. Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: Cancer, Mutagenesis, and Genotoxicity Louis N. Heynick, Sheila A. Johnston, and Patrick A. Mason 9. ICNIRP Statement Health Issues Related To the Use of Hand-Held Radiotelephones and Base Transmitters. Health Physics, April 1996, Vol. 70, No The INTERPHONE Study. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved on Schüz, J; Jacobsen, R; Olsen, JH; Boice, JD; McLaughlin, JK; Johansen, C (December 2006). "Cellular Telephone Use and Cancer Risk: Update of a Nationwide Danish Cohort". Journal of the National Cancer Institute 98 (23): Oxford University Press. ISSN Lönn, S; Ahlbom, A; Hall, P; Feychting, M ( ). "Long-Term Mobile Phone Use and Brain Tumor Risk". American Journal of Epidemiology 161 (6): Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISSN Schoemaker, MJ; Swerdlow, AJ; Ahlbom, A; Auvinen, A; Blaasaas, KG; Cardis, E; Christensen, HC; Feychting, M; Hepworth, SJ; Johansen, C; Klaeboe, L; Lönn, S; McKinney, PA; Muir, K; Raitanen, J; Salminen, T; Thomsen, J; Tynes, T ( ). "Mobile phone use and risk of acoustic neuroma: results of the Interphone case-control study in five North European countries". British Journal of Cancer 93 (7): London: Cancer Research UK. 14. Schüz, J; Böhler, E; Berg, G; Schlehofer, B; Hettinger, I; Schlaefer, K; Wahrendorf, J; Kunna-Grass, K; Blettner, M ( ). "Cellular phones, cordless phones, and the risks of glioma and meningioma (Interphone Study Group, Germany)". American Journal of Epidemiology 163 (6): Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISSN Lahkola, A; Auvinen, A; Raitanen, J; Schoemaker, MJ; Christensen, HC; Feychting, M; Johansen, C; Klaeboe, L; Lönn, S; Swerdlow, AJ; Tynes, T; Salminen, T ( ). "Mobile phone use and risk of glioma in 5 North European countries". International Journal of Cancer 120 (8): Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. ISSN R. Santini, P. Santini, J.M. Danze, P. LeRuz, M. Seigne, "Study of the health of people living near mobile phone base stations", Pathol Biol, OBERFELD et al., "The Microwave Syndrome: Further Aspects of a Spanish Study" 18. G. Abdel-Rassoul et al., "Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile base stations.", a study in Egypt, Neuro-toxicology, Bortkiewicz A et al, "Subjective symptoms reported by people living in the vicinity of cellular phone base stations: review", Med Pr, Hutter, H-P; H Moshammer, P Wallner, M Kundi (May 1, 2006). "Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations" (in English). Occupational and Environmental Medicine 63 (5): London, UK. 21. "Cell phones and cancer: what is the evidence for a connection?" J.E.Moulder et.al. 22. "Definition, epidemiology and management of electrical sensitivity", Irvine, N, Report for the Radiation Protection Division of the UK Health Protection Agency, HPA-RPD-010, Regional Seminar on "The role of ICT in protecting Man and Environment: How to limit the impact of its use", Arab League Final Report And Recommendations, Cairo, Egypt, 4-7 October Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile telephones and their base stations, WHO Fact sheet N 193, June

14 26. Study finds health symptoms aren t linked to mast emissions - Professor Elaine Fox, University of Essex, 25 July The Guardian, July 26, The US Department of Energy Independent.co.uk - Geoffrey Lean and Harriet Shawcross, 15 April