Need for a Science & Evidence Based Policy

Jack Rowley, PhD, Senior Director Research & Sustainability GSM Association
New Delhi, India 8 February 2012

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Mobile Services Need Mobile Networks

India Mobile Connections

About 900 million

2000

2012

2016

National infrastructure deployed locally.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Mobile Networks Are Low Power

More base stations provide:

More coverage. More capacity.

Higher data rates.

Power is limited to avoid interference.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Networks Exposure Trends

1.E+03 1.E+02

ICNIRP Public @ 900 MHz

74 71 68 62

80 77

80

microwatts per square centimetre

Subscriber growth.

70

1.E+01 60

1.E+00
51 1.E-01 1.E-02 1.E-03 1.E-04 1.E-05 1.E-06 1.E-07 UK (2001) UK (2002) 47

Subscribers (millions)

54 50

40

30

Average annual exposure.

20

10

0 UK (2003) UK (2004) UK (2005) UK (2006) UK (2007) UK (2008) UK (2009)

Country (years)

Measured average exposure in the UK unchanged.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Source: GSMA analysis, OFCOM and Wireless Intelligence data.

Non-ICNIRP Limits Do Not Mean Lower Exposure

Netherlands Belgium GSM900 limit = 3 V/m Measured average = 0.93 V/m 0.01% of limit 9.5% of limit GSM900 limit (ICNIRP) = 41 V/m Measured average = 0.38 V/m

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Wout et al., 2012.

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Precautionary Measures = Increased Concern

Study conducted in Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Germany, The Netherlands, South Africa, UK and USA.

Dr Rajesh Shukla (National Council of Applied Economic Research, Delhi)

Less concern

More concern

Base station information Precautionary limits

Protect sensitive areas

Minimise exposure

All precautionary measures increased concern.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Wiedemann, 2011
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Exposure Reduces Rapidly with Increased Distance

Distance x 2 Exposure 4 Public limit Worker limit

Less than 1% of limit

Compliance zones near to the antennas.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Lower Limits Mean Larger Compliance Distances

Exposure limit 10 Distance x3.2 Public limit Worker limit

unless power reduced.

Less than 1% of limit

Compliance zones larger for restrictive limits.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Effect of Power Reductions on Coverage

Current Power Reduced More Antennas

Continuous coverage

Gaps in coverage

Similar coverage

Typical exposure levels unchanged.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Impact of So-called Exclusion Zones

Example of Berlin
Proposed policy Kindergartens, schools, hospitals (circles with a radius of 300 m)

Policy not adopted.

Orange areas are projected gaps in mobile coverage.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Copyright: T-Mobile 2001, infas Geodaten GmbH, Bonn, ATKIS DTK25 Landesverm.

Media Interest and Public Concern

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Wiedemann, 2011
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Relationship between Policies and Public Concern

Data-source: Special Eurobarometer 347, 2010, p. 66; presentation by GSMA Europe
11

Stricter legal safety standards (limits, exclusion zones)

2010
66% - 100% 46% - 65%
31% - 45% 0% - 30%

Strong precautionary advice by governments

ICNIRP Compliance Communications

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Comparison of EMF Limits Base Stations

Actual Regulatory Limit
Confirmed 2009.

Updated Updated Updated Council policy Council policy NGO position

Canada, ICES (ICNIRP) since 2009. Australia, ICNIRP since 2003. Belgium regions vary 0.045 to 1.125 W/m2 New Zealand, ICNIRP since 1999.

Luxembourg=0.024 W/m2
China=0.4 W/m2; France, ICNIRP since 2002. Switzerland, ICNIRP + sensitive areas, 2000. Germany, ICNIRP Italy=0.1 W/m2 in areas >4hours since 2003. Russia=0.1 W/m2; Hungary, ICNIRP

Council policy NGO position Council policy

Austria, ICNIRP
Germany, ICNIRP Australia, ICNIRP since 2003.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

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Harmonise with International EMF Policy

India should contribute to international activities.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

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RF Policy Principles

Governments:

Evidence based limits and consistent mast policy. Avoid policies that create alarm. Communicate using trusted health agencies.

Industry:

Demonstrate compliance with limits. Improve dialogue and design practices. Active partner in communication.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

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Responding to Public Concern

Perception is reality.

Trust first, then information.

Listen.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

http://www.gsma.com/documents/riskcommunication-guide-for-mobile-phonesand-base-stations/18528

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Established Risk
Obey the law. Be responsible. Dont text.

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

http://www.michellehenry.fr/tel.htm
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Health Benefits

About a quarter of UK calls to ambulances come from mobile phones.

Mobile phone compared to landline reporting of emergencies resulted in significant reductions in the risk of death at the scene. Equivalent to 137 fewer deaths at scene per 100,000 patients.

Mobile healthcare opportunity:

59% of Indians interested in remote health monitoring (McKinsey, 2009). Health lines, monitoring, emergency, data, remote diagnostics, counterfeit drugs, maternal care, rural care, disease rates and many more.

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Summary

Adopt evidence based policy:

WHO/ITU recommended (ICNIRP) limits. IEC/ITU compliance standards. Trusted communications.

Avoid:

Policies that increase concern.

Recommendation:

Establish working group of Indian and international scientists.

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GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

Thank You

Contact: Dr Jack Rowley

Job title: Senior Director

Research & Sustainability

email address:
jrowley@gsm.org

Tel: +353 86 806 0849 Website: www.gsma.com/health

GSM Association 2012 J. Rowley, February 2012

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