Flavia Lanyero
6 November 2009
Electromagnetic emissions from telephone masts and mobile phones pose no health risks, experts have said.
A group of researchers from the World Health Organisation told a conference in Kampala yesterday that multiple studies and reviews over the years had dispelled fears that the emissions could have a negative effect on mobile phone users or people living in the vicinity of the masts.
Public worries
With the telecommunications industry in Uganda increasing rapidly--currently standing at five service providers--many people were concerned about the possible health effects of the emissions.
Emilie Van Deventer, the researchers' leader, said emissions from phones and masts known as Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) are not as harmful as ultra violet rays (from the sun) known to cause cancer, X-rays (used in labs) that can harm born tissue or radon rays known to be a major cause of lung cancer.
According to the researchers, EMF rays belong to a category of Non Ionizing Radiations which though scientifically defined as rays, do not have enough energy to break human cells.
But just before you celebrate--the researchers left some room for doubt, saying there could be gaps in the study but not significant ones.
"Changes in technology give room for further research on the effects of these rays although chances of danger are minimal" Dr Deventer said. "There are newer mobile phones whose emotions are higher than before and also usage has changed. These days phones can be answered from a distance, these changes require more research."
The Permanent Secretary in the ICT ministry, Mr Pat J Samaanya, said the clarification was meant to enlighten the public following numerous queries.
The Uganda Communications Commission said it was encouraging service providers to share masts, much as there is no law regulating how they are set up. Sections of the public have complained about congesting masts in specific areas.
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Please read this article by cancer expert Devra Davis before deciding whether cell phones can be considered safe: http://www.sehn.org/Volume_14-5.html#a2
Also, get familiar with the 2007 BioInitiative report that reviewed 1500 scientific studies on cellphone radiation, concluding that the current radiation exposure guidelines for cell phones and transmission towers are outdated and dangerously high. See the press release here: http://www.bioinitiative.org/press_release/
Children should not use cell phones. Period.