Radiofrequency Radiation From Transmitter Sites: Factors Affecting Acceptability Of Risk And Protection Standards

Although there is widespread concern about public exposure to radiation from cellphone relay stations, there have been no systematic studies of psychosocial factors affecting public attitudes and beliefs. This paper reports on an analysis of the responses of 105 adults to a questionnaire about their preferences between different standards for exposure to radiation from cellular telephone relay stations and other radiofrequency transmitters. Participants demonstrated clear preference for a more-restrictive (all-effects) protection standard over a less-restrictive (thermal) standard. This preference was not influenced by whether or not participants were personally at risk, or by consideration of costs to industry. Most participants opting initially for an all-effects standard did not shift their preference in the face of substantial hypothetical increases in personal monetary cost. On the other hand, the balance of preference between the two standards was significantly influenced by factors such as the attitude towards the responsibilities of industry, perceptions of possible existing health effects on household members, and self-estimated distance of participants' residences from a transmitter.