Mobile telephones - An evaluation of health effects

Mobile telecommunication has developed considerably in recent years: to date over half the population of the Netherlands posses a mobile telephone. Nevertheless, concerns also grow, particularly as to whether exposure to electromagnetic fields from antennas and mobile telephones can adversely affect health. In this advisory report, the Electromagnetic Fields Committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands provides, on the basis of the scientific literature, an overview of various aspects that may play a role. The Committee comes to the conclusion that there is at present no reason for concern. However, since mobile telephony leads to widespread electromagnetic field exposure and relatively little knowledge exists on, especially, longterm effects, it indicates areas for further research. In particular, the Committee indicates in what areas research can be conducted in the Netherlands.

Committee

• Dr EW Roubos, Professor of Zoology, neurobiologist; Catholic University of Nijmegen, chairman
• Dr LM van Aernsbergen, physicist; Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague, advisor
• Dr G Brussaard, Professor of Radiocommunication; Technical University of Eindhoven
• Dr J Havenaar, psychiatrist; Utrecht University Medical Centre
• FBJ Koops, biologist; Arnhem
• Dr FE van Leeuwen, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology; Free University of Amsterdam, epidemiologist; Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam
• Dr HK Leonhard, physicist; Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Groningen, advisor
• Dr GC van Rhoon, physicist; Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam
• Dr GMH Swaen, epidemiologist; University of Maastricht
• DHJ van de Weerdt, physician, specialist in environmental medicine; Municipal Health Service, Zwolle
• Dr APM Zwamborn, Professor of Electromagnetic Effects; Technic al University of Eindhoven, physicist; Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), The Hague
• Dr E van Rongen, radiobiologist; Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, secretary