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Press release from Sianette Kwee, Aarhus University: Danish replicating TNO study to proof EHS is all in the mind?
Denmark	Created: 10 Nov 2005
Press release from Aarhus University: "A few years ago a study from the Netherlands showed that 3G mobiltelephone radiation gave serious symptoms and health complaints in a group of testpersons. This upset a great deal of the Danish population and a strong resistance against 3G-rollout in Denmark. The results from our study will be published in 1.5 years time." Background: To pacify the population the Danish parliament granted DKK 15 million for a researchproject on Health effects of Non-ionizing radiation, to be given in 2 portions and terminated within 4 years. A few groups with a complete blank record of EMF research got the grants. Last month the last part was granted to the same groups, though no preliminary results were shown. SeeTAL> (the projects' descriptions should be in English) The above group from Aarhus are replicating the Dutch study in their own way. In their next study they will also include effects from TETRA used by the police. Among others they registrate the testpersons' reactions after 45 min exposure. They also underline that it is very important to link reported symptoms etc. to the testpersons psychological/mental state. Prof.emer.Joergen Bach Andersen from Aalborg takes care of the RF exposure. The chief of the Aarhus institute in question is on the programcomittee deciding about the grants. He is also member of the governments expert committee that advised the government on the sale of 3G licenses and to get along with 3G- rollout. His point of view on EHS has always been that it does not exist, but is a state of mind of EHS sufferers. Comment: It is not necessary to wait for their results another 1.5 years. You can already guess their conclusion, since J.B. Andersen already got money to start to develop 4G. The government can be satisfied that their whitewashing money has fulfilled its purpose. They wanted a Danish research study, because they can rely on that and it will not interfere with their mobiltelephony plans. Sianette Kwee Comment to: .Sianette Kwee I have been told recently that J.B. Andersen has also been given a new bag of money by the Danish Government. This time to prepair for a smooth introduction of 4G into Denmark. He seems to be a VERY loyal person to the Mobile Industry, which I guess is why the Government use him, as they then can get the results and answers THEY WANT, an no hazzle. Funny though, I saw the representations folder he used a a conference in Copenhagen in the early autumn. And from having downngraded and rubbished the TNO results on 3G for years, their kurves suddely appear in his new material as scientistic facts. Yes, some people seem to have many faces. Thank you for letting us know. Best regards. Agnes Ingvarsdottir. England
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Source: Sianette Kwee.

A PENSIONER says his life has been ruined since a mobile phone mast was installed outside his home.
United Kingdom	Created: 9 Nov 2005
Mobile phone mast is making me sick! A PENSIONER says his life has been ruined since a mobile phone mast was installed outside his home. Sixty-five-year-old Mr Roy Lockwood claims he has suffered from headaches, dizziness and ringing in the ears since the mast was placed outside his bedroom window a year ago. Mr Lockwood, who lives with his wife Maureen in Glen View Road, also says his sleep patterns have been disturbed to the point where he now wakes at 3 a.m. every morning. He said: "I have always been a fit and healthy man, and a good sleeper, but my problems have definitely coincided with this mast being put up. It is preposterous. "Many people in this country suffer from electro-sensitivity, but it is still a condition not recognised in this country. Many doctors do not acknowledge the illness, but my quality of life has certainly changed in the last 12 months." Mr Lockwood, together with his neighbours, objected to the mast when the application went to Burnley Borough Council's planning committee, and was dismayed when it was passed. In May this year, he became further concerned when workmen at the mast told him they were increasing its strength. He has written to Burnley MP, Mrs Kitty Ussher, twice on the subject. He added: "The mast should never have been placed so near to homes. I don't see why I should have to take tablets on a regular basis to cure my headaches when it is obvious what is causing the problem. "I have pages of reports about mobile phone masts and their risks. The Chinese and Russian governments are developing a system that relies on low power. Why can our government not do this? They do not seem to be interested." Mr Lockwood is circulating a social research questionnaire to his neighbours dealing with local feelings about the mast. He hopes that if there is a concerted effort from people across the country that electro-sensitivity, at least, will be recognised. When asked by the Express, Mrs Ussher confirmed she still has an open mind on the risks associated with mobile masts. She said:"The Government is currently undertaking a huge survey at the moment on mobile phone masts, but I am always concerned to hear about individuals that are affected. "For this reason, I oppose any applications in residential areas, indeed one was refused recently in Rossendale Road. Regarding the scientific side there is no conclusive position either way on possible effects. "I believe the rational solution is to keep studying this as much as possible, which is what the Government is currently doing." l Scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research recently published results from the largest investigation to date into the relationship between mobile phone use and the risk of acoustic neuroma – a nervous system tumour that occurs close to where mobile phones are held to the head. The study suggests there is no substantial risk of this tumour in the first 10 years after starting mobile phone use. However, an increased risk after longer term use could not be ruled out. Professor Peter Rigby, chief executive of The Institute Of Cancer Research said: "Mobile phones have only been used widely over the past decade so we won't know the long term effects for many years. However, the results of this multi-country study with such a large number of participants is a great step forward in our understanding of the possible health effects of mobile phones."
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Source: Burnley Today. 08 November 2005

New: Histological and stereological analysis of cutaneous mast cells in rats exposed to 50 Hz EMF
Sweden	Created: 9 Nov 2005
Please, note that my coworkers and I have got yet another article published: Rajkovic V, Matavulj M, Johansson O, "Histological characteristics of cutaneous and thyroid mast cell populations in male rats exposed to power-frequency electromagnetic fields", Int J Radiat Biol 2005; 81: 491-499 This paper emanates from a very fruitful collaboration between the Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia and Montenegro, and my own research group at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. We have actually already presented some of the data at two conferences: Rajkovic V, Matavulj M, Johansson O, "Histological and stereological analysis of cutaneous mast cells in rats exposed to 50 Hz EMF", 6th International Congress of the European Bioelectromagnetics Association (EBEA), Budapest, Hungary, November 13-15, 2003 (abstr.) Rajkovic V, Matavulj M, Johansson O, "An immunohistochemical and morphometrical study of the power-frequency electromagnetic field influence on skin and thyriod amine- and peptide-containing cells in rats", BioEM 2005, Dublin, Ireland, June 19-24, 2005 (abstr.) ...and we also have further papers to be finalized. *************** As most of you already know, several years ago I and Peng-Yue Liu could, i.a., demonstrate a large increase in the cutaneous mast cell count in persons with electrohypersensitivity as compared to normal healthy individuals [cf. e.g. Johansson & Liu, ""Electrosensitivity", "electrosupersensitivity" and "screen dermatitis": preliminary observations from on-going studies in the human skin", In: Proceedings of the COST 244: Biomedical Effects of Electromagnetic Fields - Workshop on Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (ed. D Simunic), EU/EC (DG XIII), Brussels/Graz, 1995, pp 52-57]. In addition, also an effect on cutaneous mast cells from normal healthy volunteers in front of ordinary TVs/PCs could be shown [Johansson et al., "Cutaneous mast cells are altered in normal healthy volunteers sitting in front of ordinary TVs/PCs - results from open-field provocation experiments", J Cutan Pathol 2001; 28: 513-519]. Based on these findings, Shabnam Gangi and I could summarize this "mast cell hypothesis" in two papers [Gangi & Johansson, "Skin changes in "screen dermatitis" versus classical UV- and ionizing irradiation-related damage--similarities and differences. Two neuroscientists' speculative review", Exp Dermatol 1997; 6: 283-291; Gangi & Johansson, "A theoretical model based upon mast cells and histamine to explain the recently proclaimed sensitivity to electric and/or magnetic fields in humans", Med Hypotheses 2000; 54: 663-671]. My working hypothesis since then is that electrohypersensitivity is a kind of irradiation damage, since the observed cellular changes are very much the same as the ones you would find in tissue subjected to UV-light or ionizing radiation [see e.g. Johansson, "Elöverkänslighet - en form av strålskada" (="Electrohypersensitivity - a kind of irradiation damage", in Swedish), Tf-bladet 2004; (3): 12-13]. One very fierce criticism from certain 'opponents' has been that such mast cell alterations in persons with electrohypersensitivity (or in normal healthy volunteers!) can not be due to the action of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and/or airborn chemicals, but must be due to psychological or psychiatric personality disturbances, cognitive malfunction, or likewise. The purpose and objective of the present study was - therefore - to determine whether rat mast cells in skin and thyroid gland, as well as cutaneous nerve fibers and eosinophils, are sensitive to the influence of power-frequent EMFs. In summary, it turned out that the numerical and volume densities of intact type A mast cells in the thyroid of the exposed group of rats were significantly higher as compared to the control (p<0.05 for both). [N.B. The obtained animal results can not be understood by psychological or psychiatric theories, but are claimed to be due only to the EMF exposure.] *************** As usual, we are eagerly hoping for some funding to be able to continue our research efforts. We would be very happy to also include microwaves of mobile phone character in future studies. [If you want to have a reprint, please, send me an A4/C4-envelope with your name and address on. For Swedes: Om Du vill ha ett särtryck, skicka mig då ett A4/C4-kuvert med Ditt namn och postadress på. Frankera med 2 st. valörlösa frimärken eller 11 kronor i brevporto.] Best regards Yours Olle J. (Olle Johansson, assoc. prof. The Experimental Dermatology Unit Department of Neuroscience Karolinska Institute 171 77 Stockholm Sweden)

Patios may add to tax. BUT overhead power lines or phone masts will be entitled to a tax cut.
United Kingdom	Created: 8 Nov 2005
HOMES with patios and conservatories could be forced to pay hundreds extra in council tax, it emerged last night. And having a balcony, roof terrace, greenhouse, garage or NICE VIEW will also be penalised under plans to revalue people’s homes. The bombshell, denounced as a new stealth tax, brought warnings that Chancellor Gordon Brown is putting the economy at risk. Firms claim they are being hammered by tax, regulation and soaring public sector pay. And fresh evidence shows millions of middle-earners are now paying the Treasury a stunning 50p of every pound they earn. Conservatory ... will land you with big bill The property shake-up has been likened to window tax which clobbered homes that had more than six windows in the 18th century. It led to many houses having their windows bricked up by owners keen to avoid extra tax. The new council tax will hit everyone who has made home improvements or who lives in a pleasant location. A £45million Whitehall computer system will watch the way we live, sending out higher bills for a house by the sea, at the side of a lake or river, or in a conservation area. Homes in gated communities and those with swimming pools or tennis courts will also be hit. Patio ... a 'luxury' that will be targeted BUT INNER CITY HOUSING NEAR OVERHEAD POWERLINES OR PHONE MASTS WILL BE ENTITLED TO A TAX CUT. Legions of snooping bureaucrats will be involved in the revaluation. Conservative local government spokesman Caroline Spelman slammed the plans last night. She said: “This is the latest stealth tax. “It is a modern day windows tax, rather than a fair charge for the use of local services. “And it can only mean even higher taxes on hard-working families and pensioners, without any improvements in local services.” Still higher taxes loom as the Chancellor prepares to admit in this month’s Pre-Budget Report that economic growth has slowed sharply. New figures show that he faces a £10billion black hole in tax revenues — despite raking in tens of billions extra from middle earners since 1997. Greenhouse ... will cause finances to wilt Families are being dragged into the higher 40p tax band because Mr Brown has not raised the starting point in line with inflation. And soaring house prices have forced middle-earners to pay extra in stamp duty when they move — and in inheritance tax when their parents die. • WINDOW tax was invented in 1696 by King William III to pay for wars in Ireland and Europe. He aimed to hit the rich by taxing glazed windows — which were seen as an expensive luxury at the time. The tax was abolished in 1851 and replaced by house duty, the forerunner of rates and council tax.
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Source: By TREVOR KAVANAGH. Political Editor The Sun

BBC kemur með villandi umsögn um yfirlýsingu heisluverndarstofnunarinnar HPA um Rafmagnsviðkvæmni
Iceland	Created: 6 Nov 2005
BBC kemur með villandi umsögn um yfirlýsingu “Health Protection Agency” (HPA) þegar þeir fastslá: "Engar vísbendingar um að rafmagnstæki og rafstöðvar valdi veikindum" Og Morgunblaðið á netinu birtir villuna. Óvíst er hvernig BBC komst að þessari niðurstöðu, sem hefur víða verið gagnrýnd, vegna þess að hún styður sig ekki við texta yfirlýsingunarinnar eða greinarinnar til stuðnings hennar. HPA yfirlýsingin viðurkennir að sjúkdóms einkenni fylgja, eða sjúkdómurinn “ES = Electrosensitivity” eða Rafmagnsviðkvæmi, ekki eingöngu raftækjum og raflínum, heldur einnig ferðasímum og ferðasíma möstrum! Lesið HPA yfirlýsinguna ("Link" viðhengdur inn á heimasíðu HPA, að yfirlýsingunni og rannsóknar greininni ) og dæmið sjálf. Morgunblaðs greinin er þýdd frá heimssíðu BBC: >"Engar vísbendingar um að rafmagnstæki og rafstöðvar valdi veikindum >Engar vísindalegar sannanir eru fyrir því að nálægð við rafstöðvar eða rafmagnstæki valdi veikindum fólks, að >því er vísindamenn á vegum bresku heilsuverndarstofunnar (HPA) greina frá. >Þótt fólk verði vart við afdráttarlausa og óþægilega kvilla séu ekki fyrir hendi vísbendingar um að tengsl séu á >milli þeirra og nálægðar við rafmagn. >Frá þessu greinir fréttavefur breska ríkisútvarpsins, BBC. >Svo kölluð rafmagnsviðkvæmni er kvilli sem ýmsir telja að rekja megi til rafsegulsviðs sem fylgir >rafmagnsveitum. Ekki liggur fyrir hversu margir eru haldnir þessum kvilla, en hann lýsir sér ýmist sem kláði >og roði í húð eða þreyta og höfuðverkur. >Fulltrúi HPA segir að erfitt hafi reynst að endurskapa kvillana í rannsóknarstofu þar sem frásagnir sjúklinga hafi >verið misvísandi og jafnvel stangast á." Mest af því efni sem stuðst var við í samsetningu HPA yfirlýsarinnar og rannsóknar greinarinnar var frá Norðurlöndunum, aðallega frá vísindamönnum í Svíþjóð, sem einnig notuðu athuganir frá Íslandi, Noregi og Finnlandi til að komast að árangri um hvernig sjúkdóms einkenni ES lýsa sér. EINGÔNGU var stuðst við vísindaskriftir sem fundust á Ensku. Sjáið "link" að greininni á Ensku.
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Source: Morgunblaðið á netinu 06-11-05

”Telia Sonera riskerar tappa miljarder kronor”
Sweden	Created: 2 Nov 2005
”Telia Sonera riskerar tappa miljarder kronor” KTH-professor Zander ser wlan som hot mot stora operatörer Telia riskerar att tappa merparten av sina samtalsintäkter för mobiltrafik när allt fler använder mobilerna via trådlösa nät, wlan, i bostaden och på jobbet. Det förutspår Jens Zander, professor i radioteknik på KTH och en av mobilvärldens tungviktare. Det som överraskat Jens Zander mest under det senaste halvåret är att så många av dagens mobilsamtal sker i hemmet och på kontoret. - Vi har uppgifter från operatörer i Sverige och utomlands att den andelen av mobiltrafiken står för så mycket som 70-80 procent av trafiken. Den omsvängningen har gått betydligt snabbare än vi räknat med, säger han. För mobiloperatörerna måste det vara en skrämmande utveckling, menar Jens Zander, eftersom bostäder och kontor är platser där trådlösa nät som wlan är enkla och billiga att installera. Och nya multi-modetelefoner i kombination med Skype-liknande gratiserbjudanden gör att mobiloperatörerna nu får känna på samma konkurrens som fastnätsoperatörerna. - Tänk att vara mobiloperatör och inse att 70-80 procent av intäkterna riskerar att försvinna, säger Jens Zander provocerande. För Telia Soneras del betyder det att 25-30 miljarder kronor av de totala mobilintäkterna på 38 miljarder kronor skulle vara hotade. - Det är väl kanske lite drastiskt, eftersom vi inte riktigt vet vad Telia Soneras mobilintäkter består av. Men säkerligen betyder det att mellan 10 och 30 miljarder kronor av bolagets traditionella mobilintäkter kommer att utsättas för extremt tuff konkurrens från enklare och billigare teknik, säger han. Telia Soneras vd Anders Igel har insett hotet, och testar därför i liten skala en ny mobiltjänst i Danmark. Ett 50-tal mobilkunder använder sin mobil i bostaden utan att nyttja det traditionella mobilnätet. I stället går trafiken via ett trådlöst nät som anslutits till bredbandsutrustningen. Avsevärt billigare mobiltaxa är lockbetet för kunden. Ny Teknik har tidigare rapporterat att Anders Igel räknar med att lansera den tjänsten i hela Norden inom en treårsperiod. - Det Telia Sonera gör i Danmark är väldigt intressant och sannolikt helt rätt strategi. Det kan kanske uppfattas som att Telia Sonera skjuter sig själv i foten. Men det är bättre än att tvingas amputera hela benet. Erbjuder inte Telia sina kunder den här billiga tjänsten, kommer andra att göra det, säger Jens Zander. Ericssons 3G-intäkter hotas Även systemleverantörer som Ericsson påverkas när allt fler mobilsamtal går via billigare trådlösa anslutningar. - Det kommer självfallet att nagga Ericsson och alla andra leverantörers 3G-affär i kanten. Det är inte längre uppenbart att operatörer ska investera i fler 3G-basstationer för att förbättra inomhustäckningen nu när det finns billigare alternativ, säger Jens Zander, professor i radioteknik på KTH . Hans mångåriga tes är att gsm/3G-familjen är en förträfflig lösning för täckning av stora områden där man förflyttar sig i höga hastigheter, men att det är en alldeles för dyr lösning inomhus och över mindre områden. - Wlan-tekniken står först i kön att utmana, och lyckas inte den tekniken så kommer det någon annan. Klart är att 3G för inomhustäckning är en hotad art. Att kombinera olika access-lösningar i olika miljöer blir på sikt mycket billigare, menar Jens Zander. En och samma terminal ska kunna erbjuda kunden den bästa, billigaste, effektivaste tjänsten för ögonblicket. Industrin satsar redan på forskning inom detta område, bland annat i EU-projektet Ambien Networks, som Ericsson leder. - Men frågan är om inte verkligheten hinner gå om forskningsprogrammen, säger Jens Zander och fortsätter. - De traditionella mobiloperatörerna och systemleverantörerna kan streta emot den här utvecklingen på olika sätt. Men jag tror inte den går att stoppa. Det helt enkelt är för många miljarder i potten som lockar nya spelare. Text: Helen Ahlbom
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Source: Kalle Hallberg

Mobile phones can affect sleeping brains - but what's it mean?
Australia	Created: 2 Nov 2005
Mobile phones can affect sleeping brains - but what's it mean? Mobile phone use can affect a person's brainwaves even when the handset is switched off and the user is asleep, Australian research suggests, admitting they don't know what that means. Neuroscientist Sarah Loughran studied the brainwave patterns of 50 people in the first half hour of sleep after they had been exposed to 30 minutes of mobile phone radiation. In what is believed to be the world's largest study into mobile phone use and sleep quality, she compared those results with the brainwaves of the same people without exposure to mobile phone radiation before bed-time. "The results show that there was an increase in brainwave activity in the first part of sleep, non Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, following mobile phone exposure," said Ms Loughran, a PhD student at Swinburne University's Brain Sciences Institute in Melbourne. "It was an increase in what's known as alpha brainwave activity and, at this stage, we're not entirely sure what that means. AdvertisementAdvertisement "Any adverse health consequences or effects this might have, we're not sure." Nevertheless, Ms Loughran said getting a good night's sleep did not appear to be affected by the mobile phone radiation. "We didn't find any changes in the amount of time it takes to get to sleep or the total time they slept," she said. "It didn't appear to be affecting the overall quality of the person's sleep." The participants in the study were exposed to a standard mobile phone mounted on the right side of their heads for 30 minutes before sleep. The phone was set up to transmit without them having to talk. On another night, the phone was mounted in the same way but it was not actually turned on. In what is called a double blind, crossover study, neither the study participants nor the researchers were aware of which nights the mobile phone was active and when it was not. Ms Loughran said the most interesting finding was that the effect of mobile phone radiation on brainwaves was noticeable even 30 to 40 minutes after the handset had been turned off. Her study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council as part of a larger investigation of mobile phone exposure in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bio-effects Research. Other research is looking at the effects of mobile phone exposure on reaction times and working memory. October 12, 2005 - 4:27PM
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Source: Kalle Hallberg

Protests lead to removal of antennas
Hawaii	Created: 2 Nov 2005
Protests lead to removal of antennas Residents said cell phone gear caused health problems A cellular telephone company was scheduled to remove its antennas today from the roof of a public housing project in Halawa after the residents had protested their placement more than four years ago. T-Mobile had a five-year agreement with the state Housing and Development Corporation of Hawaii for roof space on top of the Puuwai Momi state housing project, said Derek Dahilig, state Department of Human Services spokesman. Dahilig said the agreement was to expire in January. But because of the residents' objections, Dahilig said, the state worked with T-Mobile to get out of the contract. He said the state has agreed to pay T-Mobile $90,000 for new equipment and to transfer its antennas to another location. The antennas were turned off last month. T-Mobile had been paying the state $1,080 per month for the roof space, Dahilig said. Puuwai Momi residents protested that the state leased the roof space without consulting them. And they said radiation from the nine antennas was responsible for health problems they experienced since the equipment were installed. Star-Bulletin staff
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Source: Kalle Hallberg

Cellphones are not good for the heart
Saudi Arabia	Created: 2 Nov 2005
Cellphones are not good for the heart ABU DHABI — Excessive use of mobile phones could weaken heart muscles and cause paralytic stroke, doctors have cautioned. At least two people in Abu Dhabi have been diagnosed of Atrial Fibrillation or heart irregularity, possibly triggered off by mobile phone radiation. Dr Rajeev Gupta, consultant cardiologist at Ahalia hospital told your favourite No. 1 newspaper Khaleej Times that radio frequency discharges from the mobile phones affect the electrical pacemaker of the heart, producing arterial fibrillation. “Two people — one aged 52 and the other 47 — had come to complain of heart palpitation. Their ECG confirmed that both suffered from Atrial Fibrillation, which is normally caused by dysfunction of heart valves, enlargement of heart chamber, over functioning of thyroid gland, coronary artery diseases, or high blood pressure,” explained Dr Gupta. “But what was intriguing was these patients showed no such symptoms. Further inquiry into the lifestyle of the two businessmen showed that their daily talking time on mobile phones varied from four to six hours. “This, in conjunction with the other well-reported side-effects of mobile phones, strengthened my doubts and I surmised that in these two cases, the palpitation was caused by mobile phone radiation,” underlined the cardiologist. Dr Gupta also claimed that in both the patients, the irregularity in heartbeats became normal after 24 hours of rest and discontinuation of mobile phone usage. One of Dr Gupta’s patients who requested not to publish his name told this reporter that his heart’s condition is much better after reducing the usage of mobile phone. “I had to rely on mobile phones, especially while travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai daily since other means of communication are not available. I started developing palpitation, and after reducing the use of mobile phones as per doctor’s advice, I felt much better.” In the light of his conclusions, Dr Gupta also pointed out the common belief that use of earphones reduces the risk of radiation does not hold ground as one of the above-mentioned patients was using ear phones. According to him, the King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, recently conducted a study to determine the link between the use of mobile phones and hearing and vision complaints among the Saudi population. The associated percentage of complaints of earache, heating around the ear, and decreased hearing was 31.2 per cent with duration of calls 5-10 minutes a day, 42.9 with 10-30 minutes, 30.4 per cent with 30-60 minutes, 45 per cent with 60-120 minutes, and 36.4 per cent with more than 120 minutes per day. Similarly, the percentage of decreased or blurred vision, or both were 6.2 per cent with duration of calls 5-10 minutes per day that rises to 5 per cent with 60 to 120 minutes per day. According to the study, mobile phones are low power radio devices that transmit and receive radio frequency radiation at frequencies in the microwave range of 900-1800 MHz, and despite repeated horror stories in the media about mobile phones, the number of mobile phone users worldwide is reaching one billion. By a staff reporter . 28 September 2005
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Source: Kalle Hallberg

Schulen sollen handyfrei werden
Austria	Created: 2 Nov 2005
Wiens Schulärzte haben gesprochen. Geht es nach ihnen, werden alle Schulen zu handyfreien Zonen. Die Schulärzte empfehlen den Schuldirektoren, ein Handyverbot in die Hausordnungen aufzunehmen. Denn die Handy-Strahlung könne jungen Menschen schaden, was nicht erwiesen ist. Andererseits fehlt aber auch der klare Gegenbeweis. Also meinen die Schulärzte: "Sicher ist sicher!" Die kürzlich ausgesprochene Empfehlung der Schulärzte wurde in einem Kreis von AHS-Schuldirektoren bei einer Dienstbesprechung mit dem Schulärztlichen Dienst zunächst mündlich getätigt. Begründet wurde sie mit dem Vorliegen einer Studie, die einen negativen Effekt der Mobilfunkstrahlen speziell auf junge Menschen befürchtet. Die Mobilfunkbetreiber wiesen diese Studie zurück und verwiesen darauf, dass alle WHO-Richtlinien eingehalten würden. Dennoch nahm die Wiener Ärztekammer ebendiese Studie im Sommer zum Anlass für Warnungen vor dem übermäßigen Handy-Gebrauch. Logischerweise stellten sich die Schulärzte auf den selben Standpunkt. Gentoxischer Effekt Nun wurde aus der mündlichen Empfehlung eines Handy-Verbots eine schriftliche: Der Stadtschulrat erklärte sich "gern" bereit, die Empfehlung schriftlich an die AHS-Direktoren weiterzuleiten. In diesem Schreiben steht: "Eine kürzlich präsentierte Studie weist eindeutig einen gentoxischen Effekt von Mobilfunkstrahlen nach. Daher hat die Wiener Ärztekammer. . . ausdrücklich vor übermäßigem Handy-Telefonieren vor allem bei Kindern gewarnt. . . Solange nicht eindeutig das Gegenteil bewiesen ist, empfehlen wir die Schulordnung/Hausordnung ihrer Schule zu überprüfen und wenn möglich ein Handyverbot auszusprechen. Sicher ist sicher!" Des Weiteren zählt das auf Stadtschulrat-Papier verschickte Schreiben Empfehlungen der Ärztekammer zum Gebrauch von Handys. "Die Empfehlung gilt natürlich auch für die Pflichtschulen", erklärt man im Stadtschulrat. Die praktizieren ein Handy-Verbot – mehr oder weniger streng – seit geraumer Zeit. Schaumgebremst wendet es Direktor Jürgen Peters von der Franz-Jonas-Europaschule in der Floridsdorfer Deublergasse an: "Bei uns darf man ein Handy zwar mithaben – es muss aber unhör- und unsichtbar bleiben. Bei Verstößen wird das Handy kassiert und nur den Eltern ausgefolgt. Bei der Gelegenheit erkläre ich ihnen freundlich den Sinn des Verbots."
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