In recent years there has been an expansion of the use of mobile communication devices in the community. This has generated considerable community debate about the possibility that the electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) that these devices generate may cause health problems. Also, some have argued that the cumulative dose of EMF in the community due to a number of devices being concurrently in operation may exceed the safety limits.

A recent study in the US assessed this and determined that levels in that community were substantially lower than the safety limits. Although we have no reason to expect different levels in Australia, due to possible differences between the US and Australian patterns of communication device use, it is prudent to conduct similar research in Australia to ensure that EMF levels in the community are also below safety limits.

Previously, the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) announced a new research initiative to undertake a study of radiofrequency devices in Australian homes to address this concern. The study, which examines a range of home environments that use wireless devices, such as cordless and mobile phones, Wi-Fi, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, wireless remote controls and baby monitors is now underway, with participating homes being visited in April and May 2008 to conduct measurements of the RF levels from the wireless devices in use in the home.

The study, which has been funded by a grant from the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), is due to be completed by September 2008. A brief outline of the project is described below.

• Hypothesis being tested: The cumulative EMF exposure due to mobile communication devices will not exceed current safety standards
• Sample: 20 'typical' homes within the Melbourne (Australia) greater metropolitan area
• Testing: An independent NATA-accredited measurement expert will be engaged to
  • Provide an inventory of RF and ELF emitting devices relevant to each home
  • Measure RF levels of all such identified sources within each home
  • Use a reference location with which to compare the different homes (for example, the living room)
• Reporting: A report of the results will be made available through the ACRBR website, which includes Data collected
  • A discussion of the data from individual devices with reference to safety limits
  • A discussion of the data from combined devices with reference to safety limits
  • A discussion of these outcomes in terms of parallel research conducted overseas

For more information about this project, please contact Professor Rodney Croft (rcroft@swin.edu.au).

The Centre aims to form the hub of RF bioeffects research conducted in this country. Through the extensive skills, knowledge and experience of the centre members, and via its extensive network of research collaborators and contacts, national and international, the Centre will identify, initiate, participate in and coordinate a program of research which addresses the most relevant and urgent research questions yet to be resolved in this complex and sensitive area of study.

In recent years there has been a number of substantive international reviews on the potential for biological and health impacts from public exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) emissions of telecommunications technologies, especially with regard to mobile telephony (see for example The Royal Society of Canada 1999, Health Council of the Netherlands 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, UK International Expert Group on Mobile Phones 2000, French Health General Directorate 2001, UK Health Protection Agency 2005, World Health Organisation Research Agenda 2006). These reviews have been led by distinguished scientists and public policy makers in their field, and while varying in detail, have produced a consensus view on the highest priority issues to be addressed in ongoing research.

The Centre's research program has been carefully formulated to reflect the identified research priorities. These include biological studies (in particular neurobiological studies), epidemiological studies (both of cancer and non cancer outcomes), and dosimetry studies (to ensure rigour in other studies and in regard to the impact of rapidly changing new technologies on currently accepted test methods for determining regulatory compliance of RF devices). Public information dissemination and consideration of particular population subgroups (e.g. children and self declared hypersensitives) are also accorded high priority.