November 3, 2005

scientists comment on HPA report on electrosensitivity

Journalists reporting on the Health Protection Agengy (HPA) electrosensitivity report needed more information, so we found scientists to add their comments to the debate.

Dr James Rubin, Mobile Phone Research Unit, King’s College London School of Medicine, said:

“There is no doubt that people who say they have electrosensitivity experience unpleasant symptoms, which can sometimes be quite severe. However, there have now been over 30 studies done in this area, and at the moment there is little to suggest that it is electrical fields that are causing this ill health.”

Sir Colin Berry, Professor of Morbid Anatomy & Histopathology, said:

“The report shows that there was no scientific basis for the advice apparently given at the press conference. This is a further illustration of the difficulties of adopting a precautionary approach without the scientific evidence to back that up.”

John Adams, Professor of Risk, UCL, said:

“This is yet another example of the modern disease of Compulsive Risk Assessment Psychosis – otherwise known as CRAP. There is nothing in the press release that provides a basis for precautionary action.”