Vol. 530 No. 3
190 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether the specific absorption rate values should be printed on the package for mobile phones at the point of purchase due to health concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4051/01]
191 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will recommend that mobile phone companies make clear statements on the specific absorption rates values associated with hands free kits for mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4052/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
While there continues to be some controversy and discussion regarding a possible link between emissions from mobile phones and adverse health the balance of scientific evidence to date does not indicate a definite link. I am advised that the specific absorption rate – SAR – measures the amount of radio frequency emissions absorbed by human tissue while using a mobile phone. Mobile phones available for sale in EU member states comply with EU recommendations on exposures. Following an EU recommendation in 1999, the EU electrical standards body prepared a standard procedure for measuring SARs from mobile phones. Details of SAR emissions from all phones currently on sale in the EU should begin to become available by the end of the year.
192 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to examine the health implications of mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4053/01]
Numerous studies have been carried out internationally on the question of a possible link between mobile phones and adverse health. The balance of evidence does not suggest that use of mobile phones poses a health risk for users. Research in this area is ongoing and the International Association for Research on Cancer, which is a specialist agency of the World Health Organisation, is carrying out a study on a possible link between mobile phones and cancers of the head and neck. Medical officers in my Department keep informed of developments in this area with regard to implications for human health.
