Swedish researchIMO to discuss claims of 'accumulating evidence' of mobile phone dangers
Eithne Donnellan,
Health Correspondent
The Government is being urged by a Cork GP to restrict the use of mobile phones by children.
Dr Philip Michael, who practices in Bandon, claimed yesterday the move was necessary in light of accumulating evidence that non-ionising radiation from mobile phones could have discernible effects on the structure and function of certain human tissues. A study in Sweden, he said, suggested an increased number of benign tumours of the acoustic nerve in mobile phone users.
"My own view is they shouldn't be given to children under 16 years of age except in situations where it might be essential for them to make a phone call.
"They certainly shouldn't be given to six- and eight-year-olds as they are now. It's crazy. I think it's very silly and very dangerous," he said.
"I think parents are storing up trouble for the future. It could be 10 to 15 years before we know the long term effects of their use but the evidence is building all the time," he added.
Dr Michael's proposal to Government to restrict the use of mobiles by children will be discussed at the annual conference of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) next week.
He has also called for a prohibition on the erection of cell phone base station transmitters on or near schools.
A report from the British National Radiological Protection Board in January advised parents not to give mobiles to young children.
The Dáil Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources subsequently discussed the issue and was told by the chief technical adviser to the Department of Communications, Bob Hanna, that there was no valid scientific reason for the department to warn against the use of mobile phones by children.
He said the department's position "would change overnight" if something positive in relation to the health risk of mobile phones was found.
Meanwhile several other motions on a wide range of topics are also due to be discussed at the IMO's annual conference. They include proposals aimed at curbing rising obesity levels - members are calling for a ban on school tours to beverage and confectionary producing facilities; reducing alcohol abuse through random breath testing and restricting alcohol advertising; and improving road safety. One motion calls for speed limits in housing estates and in the vicinity of schools to be reduced to 30 km per hour.
The long hours which junior doctors continue to work, despite the introduction of the EU working time directive which was meant to limit their hours to an average of 58 per week since last August, will also be debated. Amid anecdotal reports that babies born to junior doctors working prolonged shifts are smaller and more likely to have health problems, the Health and Safety Authority is to be urged to immediately carry out a study on the effects of working up to 100 hours a week on pregnancy outcomes among junior doctors.