July 25, 2007

experts respond to a newly published study on electrosensitivity.

The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found evidence that electrical signals, such as those from mobile phone masts, are not responsible for the adverse health effects reported by sensitive individuals.

Professor David Coggon, Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Southampton, said:

“This study is consistent with earlier research in suggesting that, in most if not all cases, symptoms of ‘electrosensitivity’ are psychological in origin, and not a toxic effect of radio waves.”

Professor Tricia McKinney, Epidemiologist from the University of Leeds, said:

“This carefully conducted and well designed study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting exposure to low energy radio frequency fields, similar to those from mobile phone base stations, cannot explain the occurrence of symptoms reported in association with electromagnetic fields. Participants were unable to detect when signals were ‘on’ or ‘off’ and no differences on general well being or heart rate were seen. Alternative explanations need to be investigated.”

Professor Lawrie Challis, Chair of the MTHR (Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research) committee, said:

“This large and carefully designed study provides further evidence that signals from mobile phone masts do not produce harmful effects at least in the short term. The volunteers included many who attribute the disagreeable symptoms that they experience in the vicinity of masts to the signals emitted from them. They therefore deserve special thanks for taking part. The study indicates though that we need to look elsewhere for the cause of their symptoms.”