Introduction

In May 2003, the Home Office commissioned Imperial College to conduct a research programme on Airwave Health Monitoring (AHMS). Airwave, the new communications system for the police service in England, Wales and Scotland, is based on Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology.

The Pilot Study for the programme was completed in 2005 and a full study is now in progress and expected to be complete by 2018.

Aims

The aim of AHMS is to investigate any possible impact of the use of Airwave on the health of police personnel. The programme addresses needs raised in a report by the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation ( AGNIR) on the possible health effects from TETRA AGNIR are the Health Protection Agency's (formerly the National Radiological Protection Board) Advisory Group on non-ionizing Radiation.

AGNIR concluded that it was unlikely that the specific features of TETRA technology could pose a risk to health, but made recommendations for further research. Only by including large numbers of people and following their health over many years will it be possible to determine whether or not there may be a health risk associated with TETRA use. By taking part in this study, participants will be helping to further scientific knowledge on this question, which ultimately will help inform risk assessment and may benefit future users of the system.

Objectives

The objectives of the research programme were:

To pilot among police personnel within two police forces (West Midlands and Lancashire) the necessary procedures and mechanisms to administrate a health questionnaire, health screening and Airwave data collection for the long-term health monitoring study (see objective (3)). The pilot study will take approximately 12 months to complete. A copy of the final report for the Pilot Study can be found here.
To build on the success of the pilot study and conduct long-term health monitoring of the whole police force (England, Wales and Scotland) via the procedures developed in the pilot phase.
To conduct an electroencephalogram and cognitive study to examine the relationship between Airwave use and psychological wellbeing, or cognitive/ neurophysiological function. The study will be based on Airwave exposure (high vs low) and symptoms (symptomatic vs asymptomatic) in three samples of police personnel (50 in each) recruited from the initial pilot project. This study followed the pilot study and will take approximately 2½ years to complete.

National Roll-out

At the end of the pilot phase, a decision was made to extend health screening to all forces in the UK. It is anticipated that this health monitoring study will take approximately 12 years to complete.

National roll-out of the programme will have two main components:

Enrolment: We aim to enrol all Forces in England, Wales and Scotland within the next 3 years. As of May 2006, Lancashire and South Wales Forces have completed enrolment; Leicestershire and West Midlands are ongoing. The next phase will involve Lothian and Borders, Staffordshire, Gwent, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, SOCO, Cheshire and Merseyside. Invitations to join the study have been sent out to all forces encouraging them to start enrolment. Participants will receive a personal invitation by letter containing information and an enrolment form.

Screening: The time for conducting and completing health screening in an average sized Force is approximately 50 weeks. Therefore, while we have thus far been able enrol and screen in tandem, for most Forces there will be a time delay between enrolment (via the questionnaire) and screening. For the most part, those forces which enrol early will receive the benefit of screening earlier too. Where possible and with the agreement of each force, we hope to reduce any delays by offering screening at regional centres rather than local centres.

Phone Calls Record

Electronic Airwave data for each participant will also be collected from monthly downloads of relevant parameters from the Airwave O2 database. This will allow the researchers to calculate each individual’s level of exposure to Airwave.