Written Question · S2W-02153 · Session 2
What research it has commissioned into the potential effect of the use of the Terrestrial Trunked Radio telephone system on the health of p…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into the potential effect of the use of the Terrestrial Trunked Radio telephone system on the health of police officers who use the system and people in close proximity to such officers; what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on research carried out elsewhere in the UK on this matter, and whether it has met with the providers of the system to discuss its possible effect on medical equipment used in hospitals, clinics and medical practices and on items such as pacemakers and hearing aids.
The answer
Scottish ministers have a commoninterest with the UK Government in the introduction of the new police radio communicationssystem Airwave which uses Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology. ScottishPolice Forces are part of the Home Office-led research programme, which includesa detailed study involving 150 officers to determine whether Airwave signals haveany effect on the well-being of users and a national 15-year health monitoring programmeinvolving up to 100,000 police Airwave users.
In addition, the Defence Scienceand Technology Laboratory is carrying out a study into the possible biological effectsof TETRA. An objective of the programme is to determine whether TETRA pulse modulatedradio frequency fields can affect calcium levels and signalling in neurones andother cells.
There is no research lookingspecifically at the possible effects of Airwave use on people who come into randomcontact with the system.
NHSScotland has taken accountof studies into the effects of mobile phones and TETRA on medical devices. The ScottishHealthcare Supplies Safety Action Note SAN(SC)01-10, 12 April 2001, “Medical Devices,TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio System) and outside media broadcasts from hospitalpremises: risk of interference with medical devices” concluded that “The risk tomedical devices from the use of TETRA handsets is comparable to that from GSM cellularphones.” It went on to advise that, “All personnel using TETRA handsets on hospitalpremises should therefore be made aware of, and follow, the local policy guidelinesapplicable for cellular phone systems.”
In addition, the Defence Scienceand Technology Laboratory is carrying out a study into the possible biological effectsof TETRA. An objective of the programme is to determine whether TETRA pulse modulatedradio frequency fields can affect calcium levels and signalling in neurones andother cells.
There is no research lookingspecifically at the possible effects of Airwave use on people who come into randomcontact with the system.
NHSScotland has taken accountof studies into the effects of mobile phones and TETRA on medical devices. The ScottishHealthcare Supplies Safety Action Note SAN(SC)01-10, 12 April 2001, “Medical Devices,TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio System) and outside media broadcasts from hospitalpremises: risk of interference with medical devices” concluded that “The risk tomedical devices from the use of TETRA handsets is comparable to that from GSM cellularphones.” It went on to advise that, “All personnel using TETRA handsets on hospitalpremises should therefore be made aware of, and follow, the local policy guidelinesapplicable for cellular phone systems.”
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-02153 by reference.