Mobile phones, radiofrequency exposure and the development of cognitive function in primary school children

Chief Investigators

• Prof Michael Abramson 
• Dr Geza Benke 
• Prof Rodney Croft (Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR), Swinburne University of Technology)
• Prof Malcolm Sim

Associate Investigators

• Dr Jordy Kaufman (Swinburne Brain Sciences Institute)
• Mr Dean McKenzie 
• A/Prof David Darby (CogState Ltd)

Funded by: NHMRC

 Increasingly widespread exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile telephones has raised concern about potential adverse health effects.  The WHO has called for further research in children.  We will conduct a 3 year study of 600 primary school students focussing on their exposure to mobile phones and cognitive development.   This project aims to:

1. assess current use of mobile telephones and other radiofrequency communication technologies in a representative sample of primary school children, and
2. determine whether there is any association between use of mobile telephones and cognitive development in primary school children.

If there are no significant effects, the community can be reassured.  However if effects are demonstrated, we would need to restrict the use of mobile phones by children.