Disney cutting cell phone ties

BURBANK, Calif.--The Walt Disney Co. is discontinuing the licensing of its cartoon characters on cellular telephones as safety concerns-especially in Europe-continue to surround the use of such phones.

In the United Kingdom, the government announced that information leaflets outlining the safety issues will be available at retail outlets later this month. The U.K. government said it is particularly concerned about the growing number of children using cell phones and the hundreds of thousands more who have cell phones at the top of their Christmas wish lists.

A group of independent experts commissioned by the British government stated earlier this year that if cell phones are proved to be harmful, children likely will be more vulnerable because their brain tissues still are growing, their skulls are thinner and their heads are smaller (BI, May 22).

Although there is no scientific evidence that using cell phones is harmful, for some time there has been concern regarding the possible relationship between cell phone use and cancer, particularly brain cancer. The U.K. government-commissioned group-known as the Stewart Group after its chairman, Sir William Stewart-reported that "there is now some preliminary scientific evidence that exposures to radiofrequency radiation may cause subtle effects on biological functions, especially those of the brain."

Announcing its decision to discontinue the licensing of Disney characters on cell phone faceplates, The Walt Disney Co. issued the following statement:

"Since issues were first raised about the safety of cellular telephones when held to the ear, we have been examining the available scientific research and literature and are mindful of the Food and Drug Administration statements that there is no conclusive evidence that they present a health risk," the statement said.

"However," the statement continued, "because the well-being of our customers is our first priority, we have decided to discontinue the licensing of our characters for use on cellular telephones until there is reliable scientific evidence establishing the absence of any such risk."

The decision of Burbank, Calif.-based Disney is effective globally, said a spokesman, who added that the corporation is "aware of a growing concern about the safety of cellular phone use."

A unit of Basking Ridge, N.J.-based AT&T Corp. was a licensee of Disney for cellular phone faceplates and made the faceplates for certain Nokia phones, the spokesman said.

Disney is the highest-profile company so far to take action to protect itself, and its reputation, in the event that cell phones are proved to be harmful. Most companies and employers are watching the situation closely but not acting in the absence of scientific proof.

"Risk managers will be aware of concerns which have been raised within the media and individual organizations will be considering if they need to make a risk management response at present, but there does not appear to be any consensus view on this matter within the risk management sector at the moment," said David Gamble, executive director of London-based AIRMIC.

"A potential risk has been identified and risk managers will watch very closely the information that comes out from official and scientific channels," Mr. Gamble said.

Cell phone service providers and manufacturers continue to stress that there is no scientific evidence that the phones can be harmful, and cell phone use continues to grow worldwide.

Meanwhile, additional research continues to investigate the safety of the technology.

The U.K. government will announce further research programs and funding later this month, in accordance with the Stewart report's recommendations, a spokeswoman from the Department of Health said.

In the United States, the CTIA and FDA this summer announced a $1 million Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to fund more research. This follows the conclusion of an earlier $25 million program, which recommended that additional research be done.

"The wireless industry is committed to consumer safety and to addressing the concerns the public might have about wireless phones. While the vast body of scientific evidence indicates that there are no adverse health effects from the use of wireless phones, we are proud to be working with the FDA on research that will complement research presently under way globally," said Tom Wheeler, the CTIA's president and chief executive officer.

Ongoing research includes the International Electromagnetic Fields Project, set up by the World Health Organization to assess the scientific evidence of possible EMF health effects, review research results and conduct risk assessments of radio frequency exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also is conducting a large epidemiological study in 10 countries to see if there are links between the use of mobile phones and head and neck cancers. The study is due to be completed in 2003.

In the United Kingdom, a three-year study to investigate occupational exposure to radiofrequency, electromagnetic fields and radiation from various sources, including telecommunications, is due to be completed at the end of 2001. The study is being carried out by the Institute of Occupational Health, the University of Birmingham and the National Radiological Protection Board, and it is being supported by the Department of Health and the government's Health and Safety Executive. The study aims to develop a protocol to estimate the total radiofrequency exposure during a period of employment and will assess the feasibility of conducting an industrywide epidemiological study to investigate any relationship between RF radiation and the risk to human health.