Public perception of risk concerning celltowers and mobile phones

Objective: The controversy about health risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has contributed in raising fears concerning emissions from celltowers. The study was to examine whether or not neighbours of celltowers are particularly concerned about adverse health effects of mobile phones and their base stations.Methods: Prior to information delivered by medical doctors of the Institute of Environmental Health at public hearings a questionnaire was handed out to participants asking for their personal rating of several environmental health risks including those of mobile telecommunication (n=123, response rate approx. 48%). Medical students (n=366) served as a contrast group.     

Use of mobile phones by medical staff at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados: evidence for both benefit and harm

All members of medical staff, including students, were asked to participate in a self-administered questionnaire concerning patterns of mobile phone use and care. Participants' phones were cultured for micro-organisms. Healthcare professionals working in close proximity to sensitive equipment were surveyed concerning adverse events associated with mobile phones. Telephone operators were asked to monitor time elapsed as they attempted to contact medical staff by various methods. Of 266 medical staff and students at the time of the study, 116 completed questionnaires (response rate=44%). Almost all (98%) used mobile phones: 67% used their mobile phones for hospital-related matters; 47% reported using their phone while attending patients. Only 3% reported washing their hands after use and 53% reported never cleaning their phone. In total, 101 mobile phones were cultured for micro-organisms; 45% were culture-positive and 15% grew Gram-negative pathogens. The survey of staff working in close proximity to sensitive equipment revealed only one report of minor interference with life-saving equipment. Telephone operators were able to contact medical staff within 2min most easily by mobile phone. Mobile phones were used widely by staff and were considered by most participants as a more efficient means of communication. However, microbial contamination is a risk associated with the infrequent cleaning of phones. Hospitals should develop policies to address the hygiene of mobile phones.     

The role of anxiety in the perception of technological hazards – A cross-sectional study on cell phones and masts

BackgroundRisk perception is determined by parameters related to the nature of the risk, as well as inherent to the individual perceiving this risk. This study was designed to provide a better understanding of the role of personality, especially anxiety traits, on risk perception. It compared representations of two different risks, smoking (with known and generally accepted adverse health effects) and cell phones (whose hazardous potency is still controversial), each presented in two different forms of exposure, active (smokers and cell phone users) and passive (passive smoking and exposure to cell phone masts).MethodsA self-administered questionnaire sent to volunteer subjects collected sociodemographic and exposure data. It measured the perceived risk as well as 11 psychometric properties of risk using visual analogue scales (values ranging from 0 to 10). An anxiety trait was evaluated by the Spielberger questionnaire.ResultsIn all, 72% of the questionnaires sent were returned. Mean declared risk scores attributed to passive and active smoking were higher (8.75 and 8.31 respectively) than those attributed to cell phones and masts (4.44 and 4.73 respectively). However, scores for the 11 psychometric properties of the risk attributed to cell phones were higher than those associated with smoking, especially for dissatisfaction with information (6.71 and 7.36 respectively for cell phones and masts versus 1.75 and 2.18 for passive and active smoking) and the capacity of authorities to master the risk (6.45 and 6.65 for cell phones and masts versus 4.72 and 4.40 for passive and active smoking). Anxiety did not directly influence the risk scores attributed to these 4 forms of exposure but was predictive of the way in which subjects perceived the risk in terms of two essential properties: uncertainty concerning the effects on health and the potential to trigger health catastrophes. Indeed anxious subjects are more certain about the hazards of cell phones and masts than non-anxious subjects (P = 0.008 et P ≤ 0.001) and attributed a higher catastrophic potential (P = 0.02 and P = 0.004).ConclusionThis study suggests that subjects with an anxious profile are affected by the destabilizing nature of uncertain knowledge concerning the hazardous potency of new technologies and of the controversies concerning this hazard.     

Mobile phones and health: Media coverage study of German newspapers on possible adverse health effects of mobile phone use

The scientific debate about potential risks from the radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) of mobile telecommunication is ongoing, accompanied by considerable media discussion about whether electromagnetic fields from mobile phones cause adverse health effects. Since most people do not make use of scientific databases, the print media are key actors in informing the public about scientific developments concerning potential health risks from mobile telecommunication. In order to analyse the kind of information German print media provide to the public, a media analysis of a sample of German newspapers during the years 2002–2007 was performed: 17 regional and national daily newspapers were analysed along with weekly journals. The results indicate that, besides ambiguous media coverage, there are remarkable differences among the various newspapers in their approach to the topic. Most newspapers highlight unspecified, potentially adverse effects and link mobile phone use to the development of cancer, which is not supported by current scientific knowledge. However, in recent years, a slight shift in the foci of reporting can be observed. As these results show, newspapers increasingly acknowledge the existence of scientific uncertainty and provide more detailed information on the topic.     

The prevalence of symptoms attributed to electromagnetic field exposure: a cross-sectional representative survey in Switzerland

Summary. Objectives To investigate health risk perception as well as to assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and other environmental exposures in the general population of Switzerland. Methods Between May and June 2004, telephone interviews of a representative sample of the Swiss population (n = 2 048, >14 years old) about: 1) health symptoms attributed to five environmental factors (one of which was EMF), 2) health risk perception related to 12 environmental risk factors (five of which were different EMF sources). Results We found a prevalence of 5% (95% CI 4–6%) for electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in our study sample. The most common health complaints among EHS individuals were sleep disorders (43%) and headaches (34%), which were mostly attributed to power lines and mobile phone handsets. In addition, 53 percent (95% CI 51–55%) were worried about adverse health effects from EMF, without attributing their own health symptoms to them. Conclusions The large proportion of the population who is concerned or attributes own symptoms to EMF may cause societal conflicts given the ubiquity of EMF in our everyday life. Submitted: 27 May 2005; Accepted: 6 March 2006     

Avian influenza risk perception, Hong Kong

A telephone survey of 986 Hong Kong households determined exposure and risk perception of avian influenza from live chicken sales. Householders bought 38,370,000 live chickens; 11% touched them when buying, generating 4,220,000 exposures annually; 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 33%-39%) perceived this as risky, 9% (7%-11%) estimated >50% likelihood of resultant sickness, whereas 46% (43%-49%) said friends worried about such sickness. Recent China travel (adjusted odds ratio 0.35; CI 0.13-0.91), traditional beliefs (1.20, 1.06-1.13), willingness to change (0.29, 0.11-0.81) and believing cooking protects against avian influenza (8.66, 1.61-46.68) predicted buying. Birth in China (2.79, 1.43-5.44) or overseas (4.23, 1.43-12.53) and unemployment (3.87, 1.24-12.07) predicted touching. Age, avian influenza contagion worries, husbandry threat, avian influenza threat, and avian influenza anxiety predicted perceived sickness risk. High population exposures to live chickens and low perceived risk are potentially important health threats in avian influenza.     

天津市和石家庄市公众空气污染风险感知研究

目的  探究天津市、石家庄市两城市公众空气污染风险感知水平的影响因素,识别空气污染风险感知与细颗粒物(fine particulate matter, PM_2.5)日均暴露之间的关系。方法  用整群抽样法对天津市、石家庄市两座城市的公众进行问卷调查。使用t检验比较不同城市的风险感知水平,使用线性回归模型和Logistic回归分析模型探索空气污染风险感知水平和应对空气污染所采取的防护措施的影响因素。结果  本研究筛选出3 902份有效问卷。天津市公众受教育程度和家庭年收入水平越高的人群,对空气污染的熟悉度更高,而受教育程度高、家庭年收入水平高的年轻女性,对空气污染所导致的健康影响更加敏感。PM_2.5日均暴露量与公众风险感知之间的相关性存在地域差异。天津市的公众,对于政府越信任,对空气污染风险越熟悉,年龄越小的人群,他们面对空气污染愿意采取措施的可能性越高。石家庄市的公众,受教育程度越高,年龄越小的人群,采取应对措施的意愿越强烈。结论  公众的空气污染风险感知水平在一定程度受到年龄、受教育程度、家庭年收入水平的影响,且与采取的空气污染应对措施存在一定的相关性。天津市公众的风险感知水平与PM_2.5的日均暴露量和浓度呈正相关关系。     

Managing the possible health risks of mobile telecommunications: Public understandings of precautionary action and advice

It has been suggested that precautionary approaches to managing the possible health risks of mobile telecommunications (MT) technology may cause or exacerbate public concerns. In contrast, precautionary approaches to managing such risks in the UK have been framed as a way of reducing public concerns. This article presents evidence from a series of focus groups about the understanding of the general public of the actions taken and advice given about potential MT health risks by the UK government. Eight focus groups were conducted with members of the public that varied in their age, their awareness and concern about mast siting, and their self-reported level of mobile phone use. From the analyses, a complex picture emerged in which the understanding of the general public was not primarily framed in terms of precautionary action and advice either provoking concern or providing reassurance. People made sense of precaution by drawing upon a range of evidence from their understanding of the costs and benefits of the technology, as well as the institutional context in which MT health risks were managed. For some of those involved in protesting against mast siting, precaution was seen as confirming existing concern. Further systematic exploration of the contexts within which different responses to precaution emerge is thus likely to be instructive.     

Mobile phones and sex work in South India: the emerging role of mobile phones in condom use by female sex workers in two Indian states

The aim of this study was to examine female sex workers' solicitation of clients using mobile phones and the association between this and condom use with clients. Cross-sectional data were utilised to address the study's aim, drawing on data collected from female sex workers in Calicut, Kerala, and Chirala, Andhra Pradesh. Use of mobile phone solicitation was reported by 46.3% (n = 255) of Kerala participants and 78.7% (n = 464) of those in Andhra Pradesh. Kerala participants reporting exclusive solicitation using mobile phones demonstrated 1.67 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.01–2.79) of inconsistent condom use than those reporting non-use of mobile phones for solicitation. However, those reporting exclusive solicitation through mobile phones in Andhra Pradesh reported lower odds of inconsistent condom use (OR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01–0.26) than those not using mobile phones for solicitation. Findings indicate that solicitation of clients using mobile phones facilitates or hampers consistency in condom use with clients depending on the context, and how mobile phones are incorporated into solicitation practices. Variations in sex work environments, including economic dependence on sex work or lack thereof may partially account for the different effects found.     

极低频电磁场对小鼠脑和肝细胞凋亡及细胞周期的影响

目的　研究极低频电磁场暴露对小鼠脑和肝细胞凋亡及细胞周期的影响。方法　小鼠经 5 0Hz、0 .2mT或 5 0Hz、6 .0mT电磁场暴露 2周 ,采用TUNEL法观察凋亡细胞 ,采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率和细胞周期。结果　 0 .2mT和 6 .0mT电磁场暴露后 ,脑细胞凋亡率分别为 ( 5 .6 0±1.4 7) %和 ( 4 .73± 0 .4 8) % ,与对照组 [( 2 .90± 0 .75 ) % ]比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;肝细胞凋亡率分别为 ( 4 .19± 2 .0 8) %和 ( 3.38± 0 .6 5 ) % ,与对照组 [( 1.84± 0 .76 ) % ]比较 ,差异亦有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。脑细胞G0 G1期细胞百分率分别为 ( 80 .2 1± 1.6 8) %和 ( 79.5 4± 0 .5 6 ) % ,肝细胞G0 G1期细胞百分率分别为 ( 79.4 2± 1.80 ) %和 ( 80 .4 7± 1.79) % ,与对照组 [分别为 ( 76 .85± 0 .83) %、( 73.36±3.10 ) % ]比较 ,差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。与此同时 ,S期和G2 +M期的细胞百分率明显下降。结论　极低频电磁场暴露可能诱发小鼠脑和肝细胞周期改变 ,并可能进一步导致细胞凋亡。     

Responding to global infectious disease outbreaks: lessons from SARS on the role of risk perception, communication and management

With increased globalisation comes the likelihood that infectious disease appearing in one country will spread rapidly to another, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) being a recent example. However, although SARS infected some 10,000 individuals, killing around 1000, it did not lead to the devastating health impact that many feared, but a rather disproportionate economic impact. The disproportionate scale and nature of this impact has caused concern that outbreaks of more serious disease could cause catastrophic impacts on the global economy. Understanding factors that led to the impact of SARS might help to deal with the possible impact and management of such other infectious disease outbreaks. In this respect, the role of risk--its perception, communication and management--is critical. This paper looks at the role that risk, and especially the perception of risk, its communication and management, played in driving the economic impact of SARS. It considers the public and public health response to SARS, the role of the media and official organisations, and proposes policy and research priorities for establishing a system to better deal with the next global infectious disease outbreak. It is concluded that the potential for the rapid spread of infectious disease is not necessarily a greater threat than it has always been, but the effect that an outbreak can have on the economy is, which requires further research and policy development.     

北京市顺义区居民热浪风险感知因素的多水平模型分析

目的探索影响居民热浪风险感知的主要因素。方法采用横断面研究于2013年7—8月调查了北京市顺义区15~79岁的591名居民对热浪的感知,运用因子分析将问卷中10个问题合并为严重度、关注度和信任度3个因子,然后采用多水平统计模型对3个因子进行分析。结果对于热浪严重度感知,有热浪经历者高于无热浪经历者,吸二手烟居民高于吸烟居民。对于热浪关注度感知,女性比男性高;随居民年龄增长,感知水平随之升高;教育水平提高,感知水平随之提高;目前,通过电视、网络、手机等途径获取热浪信息尚不丰富。对于热浪防护相关措施信任度感知,随年龄增长,信任度随之升高;商业、服务人员高于机关等单位负责人;收入较高居民信任度较低;拥有目前医疗保障形式的居民对热浪防护的信任度较低。结论不同人口特征、热浪经历、获取热浪信息的方式及医疗保障降低热浪健康风险的信任度是影响居民对热浪风险感知的关键因素,建议加强热浪健康风险宣传,针对不同人群采取不同的热浪防护指导。     

The remaining barriers to the use of emergency contraception: perception of pregnancy risk by women undergoing induced abortions

Although access to and knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) have improved, numerous unplanned pregnancies occur each year. We thus assessed the remaining barriers to EC use in a population of women seeking an abortion in four abortion centers in France in 2002. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 1365 women. Most women have heard of EC (89%), but access to information remained limited in socially disadvantaged populations. Nevertheless, the unperceived risk of pregnancy appeared to be the most limiting factor to EC use. Only 38.5% of women were aware of pregnancy risk at the time of the intercourse that made them pregnant. Of these women, 48% minimized the risk later, resulting in the decision not to use EC. As the perception of risk is commonly reevaluated by women over time, which probably affects EC use, it could be important to promote advance supply of EC so that women could use it immediately after a recognized unprotected intercourse.     

基于手机的个人受照剂量估算与监测研究进展

在受到意外照射的情况下,辐射剂量的快速评估对及时采取应对措施具有重要意义.寻找一种可替代的便携式应急剂量计,对于受到意外辐射而未配备个人剂量计的人群至关重要.同时在正常环境状态下实现对所处环境辐射剂量水平的实时监测可以满足公众及时了解自身健康状况的需求,而手机的便携性与智能化吸引研究人员开展了相关工作.本文就基于手机的...     

An international prospective cohort study of mobile phone users and health (COSMOS): Factors affecting validity of self-reported mobile phone use

This study investigates validity of self-reported mobile phone use in a subset of 75 993 adults from the COSMOS cohort study. Agreement between self-reported and operator-derived mobile call frequency and duration for a 3-month period was assessed using Cohen’s weighted Kappa (κ). Sensitivity and specificity of both self-reported high (≥10 calls/day or ≥4 h/week) and low (≤6 calls/week or <30 min/week) mobile phone use were calculated, as compared to operator data. For users of one mobile phone, agreement was fair for call frequency (κ = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.36) and moderate for call duration (κ = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.50). Self-reported low call frequency and duration demonstrated high sensitivity (87% and 76% respectively), but for high call frequency and duration sensitivity was lower (38% and 56% respectively), reflecting a tendency for greater underestimation than overestimation. Validity of self-reported mobile phone use was lower in women, younger age groups and those reporting symptoms during/shortly after using a mobile phone. This study highlights the ongoing value of using self-report data to measure mobile phone use. Furthermore, compared to continuous scale estimates used by previous studies, categorical response options used in COSMOS appear to improve validity considerably, most likely by preventing unrealistically high estimates from being reported.     

Long-term use of cellular phones and brain tumours: increased risk associated with use for > or =10 years

Aim

To evaluate brain tumour risk among long‐term users of cellular telephones.

Methods

Two cohort studies and 16 case–control studies on this topic were identified. Data were scrutinised for use of mobile phone for ⩾10 years and ipsilateral exposure if presented.

Results

The cohort study was of limited value due to methodological shortcomings in the study. Of the 16 case–control studies, 11 gave results for ⩾10 years'' use or latency period. Most of these results were based on low numbers. An association with acoustic neuroma was found in four studies in the group with at least 10 years'' use of a mobile phone. No risk was found in one study, but the tumour size was significantly larger among users. Six studies gave results for malignant brain tumours in that latency group. All gave increased odd ratios (OR), especially for ipsilateral exposure. In a meta‐analysis, ipsilateral cell phone use for acoustic neuroma was OR = 2.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 5.3) and OR = 2.0, (1.2 to 3.4) for glioma using a tumour latency period of ⩾10 years.

Conclusions

Results from present studies on use of mobile phones for ⩾10 years give a consistent pattern of increased risk for acoustic neuroma and glioma. The risk is highest for ipsilateral exposure.     

Behavioral and psychosocial influences of risk perception among Hungarian adolescents

Summary Objective:  The main goal of the present study was to assess adolescents’ risk perception, namely, their estimates of the likelihood of smoking and alcohol-related illnesses and accidents. Methods:  The survey was conducted among high school students in Szeged (N = 560, aged between 14–19 years; mean: 16.7; S.D.: 1.4 years). The self-administered questionnaire contained items on sociodemographics, risk perception, health risk behaviors, and certain psychosocial variables. Results:  Being a male was associated with risk perception only in terms of alcohol-related illnesses. Smokers, alcohol users, and those who engaged in reckless transportation, evaluated themselves as being at higher risk for substance related illnesses and accidents compared to those who did not report such behaviors. Those who tended to use a seat belt, however, estimated the same amount of risk for an accident as did those who tended not to use them. Social attitudes tended to positively, whereas personal attitudes tended to negatively influence perceptions of health risks. The role of social comparison and self-efficacy, however, depends on the nature of behavior. Conclusion:  Besides behavioral influences, psychosocial variables also play a role in adolescents’ risk perception. Submitted: 25 July 2007; Accepted: 14 January 2008     

Tanning and risk perception in adolescents

Skin cancer is a rapidly increasing cancer form in many countries, and tanning is considered to be an etiologic factor of this type of cancer. Tanning is a type of risky behaviour, which has been found to be hard to change, particularly in the groups where it is most risky (children and adolescents). Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), protective behaviour and risk perception with regard to tanning were investigated with a postal questionnaire in a large representative sample of Swedish teenagers 13, 15 and 17 years old (n?=?2615). Risky behaviour was most prevalent among girls and older respondents, in spite of their greater awareness of the risks, and the general female tendency towards risk avoidance. Cosmetic and social motives seemed to drive this type of risk taking behaviour. Comparisons of perceived personal risks of tanning and risks to other people as well as perceived control over the risks, showed personal risks to be perceived as smaller than risks to others, and perceived control to be an important factor in this form of unrealistic optimism. Although people may have more or less valid perceptions of the risks to others, they tend to have overly optimistic views of their personal risks when it comes to tanning. Risk communication is particularly difficult in cases like this. The problem of stimulating more prudent behaviour in teenagers with regard to tanning is discussed.