Open letter by UK medical doctors:?Health and safety of Wi-Fi and mobile phones

WE WISH to highlight our concern over the safety of exposure to microwave radiation from wireless technology, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised health.

There is growing concern that chronic (long-term) exposure to radiofrequency/microwave radiation from wireless technologies causes damage, particularly genetic damage, cognitive damage, cancer and decreased fertility.

There is now substantial evidence of a link between mobile phone use and brain cancer.

This was recognised by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)’s 30-strong panel of scientists, which in 2011 classed radiofrequency radiation as “possibly carcinogenic”.

Additionally, doctors are encountering a significant and growing number of people presenting with a range of acute (short-term) symptoms from wireless radiation, including headaches, palpitations, rashes, fatigue, sleep disturbance, allergies and memory and concentration problems.

International medical agencies have recognised the evidence of harm (see appended list) but these rulings may take many years to be reflected in public health policy.

This controversy is a common characteristic of scientific understanding when environmental exposures are new.

New technologies and substances often come with scientific conflict, which can continue for several decades before consensus is achieved.

Commercial pressures often delay the acceptance of health risks, even when scientific evidence is compelling.

In the case of tobacco, asbestos, x-rays and leaded petrol, for example, it took many decades before damage was established and accepted by health agencies and during those decades millions of people suffered ill health and death as a result of the delay.

Now, despite evidence of harm, wireless technology is being rolled out widely.

We urge health agencies and the public to act immediately to reduce exposure to radiofrequency/microwave radiation.

This is especially important for children, who are physiologically more vulnerable to this exposure and for whom adults have a safeguarding responsibility.

Children’s health should be put ahead of convenience and commercial benefits.

Children should not use mobile phones except in an emergency, and WiFi should be replaced with wired alternatives in schools and other settings where children spend considerable time.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Elizabeth Evans MA (Cantab), MBBS (Lond), DRCOG – medical doctor?Dr Andrew Tresidder MRCGP (1989), MBBS (Lond) – medical doctor?Dr Erica Mallery Blythe BM – medical doctor

BCM SSITA London WC1N 3XX // www.ssita.org.uk