When risk assessment fails public policy

Transcription

1 When risk assessment fails public policy The case for a precautionary approach for children s use of mobile phones Don Maisch, The Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine

2 Children and Mobile Phones Is There a Health Risk? The case for extra precautions ( JACNEM Vol.22 No. 2; August 2003 ) Details 20 points on why children may be more vulnerable to health effects from exposure to mobile phone microwave radiation than adults. Calls for a precautionary approach for children and mobile phone use. 2

3 Cancer incidence Brain tumour is now the number one lifethreatening disease for children - above childhood leukaemia [in Australia]. ( Statement by Senator Lyn Allison, Australian Democrats, A Current Affair, 7 June 2004) These studies show there has been a 40% acrossthe-board increase in the number of brain tumours in the past 20 years - coinciding with the use of mobile phones. (Senator Lyn Allison) 3

4 Cancer incidence According to Dr. Samuel Epstein, since 1971 childhood cancers have increased by 26% overall with a 50% increase in brain cancer. Leukaemia 62%, Bone cancer 40%. 4

5 Cancer incidence According to prominent Sydney neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Teo, he has seen a 21% increase in children s brain tumours over the past few years. He has publicly stated his concern over the possible effect of mobile phone use on these statistics. (A Current Affair, 7 June 2004) 5

6 Cancer incidence Dr. Teo has issued a warning on national TV for parents to be aware. [of the possible dangers] It is his opinion that there is a connection between EMR and the development of brain cancer. 6

7 Cancer incidence Dr. Teo often sees patients with their tumour just above the ear in a position that corresponds the antenna feed point. I have seen brain scans with inflammation of the meninges under the antenna feed point - indicating a heating effect. 7

8 An implication for cancer patients From a November 1995 joint* Australian government agency information sheet: Safety of Mobile Phones and Towers - The Answers... Is Cancer as issue?... Laboratory studies on animals suggest that where cancer exists radio waves may accelerate its growth. * (Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health, Australian Radiation Laboratory, Spectrum Management Agency, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and the Australian Telecommunications Authority.) 8

9 Michael Hawker, CEO Insurance Australia Group ( Sunday Sunrise, 1/8/04 ) So I d argue that when some of these policies were written (Asbestos) say in 1940, early-1950s, the risk wasn t perceived to be a risk at that point in time. And it s very interesting the extrapolation of that might be mobile phones today. 9

10 Michael Hawker, CEO Insurance Australia Group ( Sunday Sunrise, 1/8/04 ) I ll be fascinated in 30 years time to see whether mobile phones are the asbestos of the future. And I can tell you, the industry is certainly not pricing in a risk of mobile phones creating a medical issue in today s premiums. 10

11 Michael Hawker, CEO Insurance Australia Group ( Sunday Sunrise, 1/8/04 ) And if they were, today s premiums would be substantially higher than they are. 11

12 Market research Children and adolescents are now becoming so emotionally attached to their phones that they cannot live without them. The phone plays a role in the playground and can be a ticket to entry into certain groups. 85% of children surveyed had personalised phones. (Teleconomy, UK) 12

13 Market research In some cases the phones themselves are becoming virtual playgrounds, as children fill their free time with texting their friends and playing games. 10 to 14 year olds are now referred to as M-Agers, and are rapidly becoming the most sophisticated users of mobile phones. Even toddlers are able to tell the difference between incoming phone calls and text messages. 13

14 Motorola s corporate risk assessment Radiofrequency Bioeffects Studies Relevant to the Use of Mobile Phones by Children ( Elder J.A. Florida Motorola Research Laboratories and Joyner K. Motorola Australia )

15 Motorola s corporate risk assessment Motorola has an obvious big stake in assuring that their products do not harm their customers and as such, compiling a risk assessment is fully justified and is a responsible move. 15

16 Motorola s corporate risk assessment Motorola has signed a multi-million $$$ deal with Walt Disney Co. to tap the 6 to 12 year old consumer electronics market for a range of wireless phones. 16

17 Motorola s corporate risk assessment Motorola, in partnership with Disney executives, is bringing new kids orientated products into the market, including a wide range of wireless phones, including the ability to download images of Mickey Mouse, Donald and Goofy onto their phone screens. 17

18 Motorola s corporate risk assessment Considering all that is at stake, the Motorola risk assessment on children using mobile phones could be assumed to be the best of science. 18

19 Motorola on the Stewart report: Quotes Stewart Report (2000): If there are currently unrecognized adverse health effects from their use of mobile phones, children may be more vulnerable because of their developing nervous system, the greater absorption of energy in the tissues of the head, and longer lifetime of exposure. 19

20 Motorola on the Stewart report: An omission of the Stewart report is the failure to link relevant literature on biological effects to the children s issue. Motorola Thesis: Studies on development and CNS structure and function involving RF exposure during gestation through young adulthood [of rodents] are relevant to the children s issue. 20

21 Authors referenced: Berman, Lary, Nawrot, Lebovitz, Schmidt, Merritt, Bornhausen, Tofani, Magras, Dasdag, Albert, Marcickiewicz, Jensh, Kaplan, and Ross Adey. 21

22 Replication? During Motorola s Hobart presentation all adverse findings which had not been independently replicated were dismissed as irrelevant. In other words, research that has not been replicated cannot be relied upon in a review of the literature. 22

23 Conclusions of the Motorola Review This review identified a number of studies that should be considered for guidance before any decision is made concerning the possible adverse effects of the use of mobile phones by children or any decisions concerning further research on the children s issue. 23

24 Conclusions of the Motorola Review In studies of laboratory mammals, including non-human primates, the weightof-evidence shows that heating caused by absorption of RF energy adequately explains effects on teratology, reproduction, development and behavioral/cns effects. 24

25 Motorola s take-home lesson: The established scientific literature on RF bioeffects has adequately addressed the issue of children using mobile phones and has not found any evidence of harmful effects - and so further research may not be necessary. Why waste scarce research money on an issue already answered? 25

26 Criticisms of the Motorola Review Papers referenced are irrelevant as they do not address the real world situation when an antenna is held close to the head of a user - creating a high rate of energy absorption within the head (SAR). Hot spots are created that can exceed the exposure standards. 26

27 Criticisms of the Motorola Review Hot spots are conveniently eliminated (for compliance purposes) by averaging over 10 grams of tissue. Any risk assessment of possible mobile phone bioeffects that ignores the hot spot issue makes about as much sense as a health assessment on Malaria that fails to include the role of the mosquito. 27

28 Criticisms of the Motorola Review The Motorola review incorrectly reports on the Adey findings - a fact that Adey publicly informed the authors at an international conference in Adey also pointed out when sent the Motorola presentation that his papers referenced in the review are themselves not yet replicated! 28

29 Criticisms of the Motorola Review Adey also reported that when his team asked Motorola for further funding to do a replication study they were refused. Motorola then confiscated all the essential exposure equipment, including field generators and exposure chambers to ensure that Adey s team could not pursue any further studies. 29

30 Criticisms of the Motorola Review Motorola also made it clear to Adey s team that they would not spend more money on their TDMA pulsed field studies. 30

31 Criticisms of the Motorola Review The authors of the Motorola review attempt to bring discredit on the Stewart report for its omission but are themselves guilty of a far more serious omission. They omitted to mention Ross Adey s later research that details a number of significant effects from mobile phone use, including damage to the blood-brain-barrier. Why? 31

32 In conclusion: I know of no cell phone studies dealing with effects of juvenile use. What might be expected after six months or years of daily exposure to these stimuli? Specifically, what may be the long term effects in areas such as social adjustment many years after adolescent exposure? In the absence of needed research, who would be so bold as to say that long term exposures have no cumulative effects and are harmless? Ross Adey. November 20,

33 Radiofrequency Bioeffects Studies Relevant to the Use of Mobile Phones by Children So, is this the best science that the cell phone industry can offer for safety? So where do we go from here a precautionary approach. 33

34 CSIRO on a precautionary approach At the Australian Senate hearings CSIRO Telecommunications & Industry Chief Gerry Haddad warned that the new RF standards did not protect children and he recommended restrict the use of mobile phones for essential purposes a precautionary approach would seem to be a good idea. 34

35 The Stewart report In line with our precautionary approach we believe that the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged. We also recommend that the mobile phone industry should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by children. 35