A panel of leading international experts on wireless devices and health will discuss the latest global research on the safety of devices such as mobile phones and phone towers at the Science and Wireless public workshop at Swinburne University of Technology.

 

The workshop will focus on last year’s research from the International Agency on Cancer which classified Radiofrequency (RF) and Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ .

 

RF sources include TV and radio transmitters, phone towers, DECT phones, ‘wi-fi' and ‘smart meters'; while other agents similarly classified by the IARC include coffee, petrol exhaust fumes, being a print worker and magnetic fields from electricity.

 

It is hosted by Swinburne University of Technology's Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre(BPsyC), in association with the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bio-Effects Research (ACEBR).

 

Four eminent international researchers will present at the workshop:

  • Professor Mark Elwood - University of Auckland 
  •  Professor Norbert Leitgeb - German Commission on Radiological Protection
  • Professor Dariusz Leszczynski - Swinburne University of Technology 
  • Professor Rodney Croft - University of Wollongong / ACEBR

Key questions to be addressed include:

  • How safe is wireless technology?
  • What are the latest scientific results showing and what are the uncertainties in the evidence?
  • What are the implications for the community in terms of everyday exposure to wireless technologies?
  • Are there any disagreements among policy makers internationally, and what is likely to happen next?
  • Can science continue to improve our understanding about the safety of wireless technology?
  • How can science help where interest remains high among certain sections of the public and the media?
  • What is being done in Australia to research and better manage these issues?

 

Professor Andrew Wood and Adjunct Professor Ray Kemp from the BPsyC will chair the proceedings.

 

The BPsyC is a member of the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bio-Effects Research which was recently announced as a Centre of Research Excellence with funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council for 2012 - 2017.

 

Event details:
What: Science and Wireless 2012 Workshop 
When: Thursday 15 November 1.00pm - 5.00pm; Registration from noon
Where: AGSE207 Lecture Theatre, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn