Download Fragment

Monday, 4 July 2011
Page: 7534

Mobile Phones

Debate resumed on the motion by Ms O'Neill:

That this House notes:

(1) the release by the World Health Organisation's cancer research report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which says that radio frequency electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones are 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' and asserts that heavy usage could lead to a possible increased risk of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer;

(2) the warnings of Dr Charlie Teo, one of Australia's leading brain surgeons and former Australian of the Year finalist, that 'there is an increasing body of evidence that there is an association between brain tumours and mobile phones';

(3) that the Australian Government, through the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), welcomes the report and considers that the classification by IARC corresponds to the current ARPANSA advice, including its advice on practical ways in which people can reduce their exposure to the electromagnetic fields produced by wireless telephones;

(4) that the methods to reduce exposure include:

(a) limiting call time;

(b) preferring the use of land line phones;

(c) using hands free or speaker options;

(d) texting instead of making voice calls; and

(e) using phones in good signal areas which reduce power levels for communication; and

(5) that ARPANSA has also recommended parents encourage their children to use these methods of reducing exposure.