New Chairman for the Agency’s Electromagnetic Fields Discussion Group

14 May 2008

Sir William Stewart, the Agency’s Chairman, has announced the appointment of Professor Colin Blakemore¹ as the new Chairman of the HPA Electromagnetic Fields Discussion Group. This Group, previously under the Chairmanship of Sir William, was set up in 2006 to provide a forum for considering possible health concerns related to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and to provide an input to the development of the Agency’s advice².Sir William said “I am delighted that Professor Blakemore has agreed to chair the EMF Discussion Group. It is important that the Agency listens to the concerns people may have about electromagnetic fields and provides a forum in which they can be discussed. Colin is a distinguished neuroscientist, has been closely involved in giving advice on EMFs and is highly respected for his balanced judgement and incisiveness. Importantly he appreciated the need to listen and to communicate.”

Professor Blakemore’s appointment has taken effect from 1 May 2008. In addition to a distinguished academic career, Professor Blakemore is a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and until recently was Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council. He has wide knowledge of research into possible health effects of electromagnetic radiation. He served on the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) from 1992-2003 and he will rejoin AGNIR in his new role. He was also a member of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (also known as the Stewart Group) and of the Management Committee for the Mobile Telecommunication and Health Research Programme. He served on the Home Office TETRA Health and Safety Study Management Committee and has been a Consultant to the World Health Organization on electromagnetic fields and neurological disease.

Professor Blakemore said: “We benefit from many technologies that involve electromagnetic fields – from the mains electricity cables that supply our homes, to television, mobile phones and microwave ovens. I am well aware of the concerns of some organisations and many members of the public about the possible harm that might arise from exposure to such fields. I am looking forward to chairing the EMF Discussion Group, which serves an important role in facilitating the free discussion of those concerns and in communicating them to the Health Protection Agency.”

The Agency’s Radiation Protection Division has a responsibility to give advice on protection standards for EMFs and also to ensure that when information is presented to the public, it is informative and addresses any concerns. Members of the EMF Discussion Group represent diverse disciplines and interests, ensuring a broad range of views on the subject³. Press enquiries only: telephone 01235 822737/822745, or email chilton.pressoffice@hpa.org.uk

Notes for Editors

1. Colin Blakemore, FMedSci, FRS, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Oxford, is at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Professor Blakemore is a distinguished neuroscientist who was Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council (2003-2007). He was the Waynflete Professor of Physiology at the University of Oxford (1979-2007) and he is now Professor of Neuroscience at both Oxford and Warwick. He is past president of the Biosciences Federation, the British Neurosciences Association, the Physiological Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society (London) and a past holder of the Society’s Michael Faraday prize for excellence in science communication. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

2.  Further information on the EMF Discussion Group, including minutes of previous meetings, can be found at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733771803?p=1158934607698

3. Membership of the EMF Discussion Group is as follows:

Mr Mike Bell (Chairman, EM Radiation Research Trust)
Dr Mike Clark (HPA)
Mr Andy Davidson (Tetrawatch)
Mr Michael Dolan (Mobile Operators Association)
Professor Denis Henshaw (University of Bristol)
Mr George Hooker (Department of Health)
Dr Jill Meara (HPA)
Mr Alan Meyer (Mast Action UK Services)
Professor Mike O'Carroll (Chairman, Revolt)
Mrs Eileen O'Connor (EM Radiation Research Trust)
Mr Alasdair Philips (Powerwatch)
Professor Alan Preece (University of Bristol)
Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz (HPA)
Mrs Anne Silk
Dr John Swanson (National Grid Transco)

Secretariat

Dr Jill Meara (HPA)
Dr Myron Maslanyj (HPA)  

Last reviewed: 24 December 2008