Precautionary behavior and informed decisions in the information age

Two strands of influence have combined to produce among ordinary people a precautionary mindset in relation to wireless technology. First, the media is in charge of day-to-day reality and much media reporting raises questions about possible health effects of wireless technology. Second, history tells us that we have often got it wrong by underestimating the unknowns. The precautionary mindset of consumers is not due to a lack of information. It is fair to say that, in relation to mobile technology and speculated health concerns, efforts have been made to provide the public with good quality information about how the technology works and its potential effects on humans. Anyone observing governmental responses to consumer concerns about mobile phones will have seen the adoption by governments of the scientific audit process. These reports have been uniformly reassuring in stating that, despite extensive consideration of the body of relevant science, no health hazard has been identified from radiofrequency (RF) energy at levels that an ordinary member of the public will experience from mobile handsets or mobile base stations.