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Thank you for taking time
to read this information carefully.
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Why do we need Airwave Health Monitoring?
Following questions about whether there might be
any possible health
consequences for users of TETRA
(Terrestrial Trunked Radio) communications systems such
as Airwave, a report was prepared for the Government by an
independent panel of scientific experts
AGNIR (Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation ) concluded “current evidence
suggests that it is unlikely that … signals from TETRA … pose a hazard
to human health”. However, recommendations
included the need for further medical research
to examine the possible short and long-term health consequences of using
TETRA technology.
In response, the Home Office started a programme of
National Research into exposure to radio waves from Airwave handsets and
possible health effects. The Airwave
Health Monitoring Programme is
part of this research programme.
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What
is the aim of the programme?
The aim of this programme is to investigate any
possible short and long-term health impacts associated with Airwave use among
police personnel over the next 10 – 15 years.
Who is conducting the programme?
The programme is being
conducted by the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial
College London. The Police Federation, Unison and the Police
Force support the project and have offered their full cooperation.
How was I chosen?
The health questionnaire will be sent to all Police
Personnel across Great
Britain.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take
part. There is no obligation. Nevertheless,
we must emphasize how vital your participation is to investigating possible
health effects in relation to Airwave, clinical and lifestyle factors. This will be important not just to you as
an individual, but to future users of the system as well. If
you do decide to take part you will be given this leaflet to keep and be
asked to sign a consent form. You will
still be free to withdraw from the programme at any stage without giving a reason by
contacting the research team.
What does it involve?
You will find a short questionnaire with this
information leaflet. This
questionnaire will enrol you in the programme, and allow us to accurately assess your Airwave
use and relate it to your health data.
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Health
screening
The programme
will also provide the opportunity for participants to receive a free and
confidential health screen,
which will improve our overall health
assessment and give us the opportunity to provide free and independent health
feedback directly to you. The
health screening is a popular component of the programme, which was requested
by over three-quarters of Police Personnel in the pilot phase. Neither the Police Force nor the Home
Office will be able to look at your health screen results.
Health screening is currently
being rolled out, Force by Force, across Great Britain. We aim to visit each Force by 2012 and
offer comprehensive health screening to all Personnel who have completed the
enclosed questionnaire. For updates on
how the screening roll-out is progressing, please visit our website: http://www.police-health.org.uk.
Will the information be kept confidential?
Yes.
Your privacy and confidentiality have been a main aspect in planning this
research. The study complies with the
requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
All identifiable data collected are handled in the strictest
confidence by the Medical Research
Team, and are not passed on to your Police Force or the Home Office. All data is stored securely on a private
computer network at Imperial
College.
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