Regulating the risks of mobile phone base stations: a comparative study in 5 countries

Résumé 0

This addressed the problem of regulating uncertain risks in the scientific context (‘knownunknowns’ and ‘unknown unknowns’) and social (including economic and political) context.A comparative study of mobile phone base station deployment was conducted in 5 Europeancountries- France, UK, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain. The countries have not taken similardecisions in regard RF exposure and their regulatory measures have not eliminatedcontroversy. It was found that:- The countries did not share a similar assessment of base station risks- In most countries an intermediate level of government exerted pressure on the centralgovernment- Mobile phone operators exerted pressure on the central government.These elements explained the differences in regulatory measures but two other issues had aneffect (inflaming or calming) – local charters to apply stricter rules and the ability to takematters to court. In the end it is action and interaction between five stakeholders that hold thekey, namely central government, scientific experts, operators, local authorities and the courts.In countries where controversy is greatest there is also the greatest instability andinconsistency between the five agents.Four short presentations that address policy options based on the concept of precaution wereoutlined, showing the diversity of measures that are being taken around the world.