Oberfeld lawsuit: environmental doctor disregarded facts

the Oberfeld study is irresponsible in the way it deals with people’s lives

In the lawsuit against Dr. Gerd Oberfeld demanding retraction of the cancer study relating to a non-existent C-Netz (radiotelephone network C) facility in Hausmannstätten, evidence was heard today on the first day of the proceedings in the Salzburg provincial court. In the eyes of the CEO of the Forum Mobilkommunikation (FMK = Mobile Communication Forum), Maximilian Maier, only one result is conceivable: “All the evidence and documents show that there has never been a C-Netz station at the Hausmannstätten site.” In this respect there cannot be any connection with a possible increase in cancer cases either. The retraction of and the agreement to refrain from disseminating the “erroneous” cancer study and its results, which disregard the facts, further are therefore the only possible consequence to counter this irresponsible scaremongering about mobile phones. The mobile phone operators are demanding serious, responsible research into mobile phones with comprehensible, scientific quality criteria. 
 
The aerial view of the automatic exchange dating from 1989 also proves there was no facility
“Had Dr. Oberfeld carried out more accurate and painstaking research, he would rapidly have discovered that there never was a C-Netz station in Hausmannstätten”, says Maier. “Hearsay and speculation are not sufficient for scientific work”, he stresses and refers to the massive evidence submitted by mobilkom austria, the detailed historical records provided by the Post and Telephone Authority, the sworn declarations of competent contemporary witnesses and the official chronology of this site (automatic exchange file). This evidence has already been officially confirmed by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology. “I hope, however, that the remaining sceptics can be convinced with the certified aerial view showing the roof of the automatic exchange in Hausmannstätten – without a C-Netz station – in 1989”, Maier explains the impressive evidence.
 
To attribute cancer to a non-existent facility is to deal irresponsibly with people’s lives
The FMK CEO adds this criticism: “To attribute cancer to a non-existent mobile phone facility means that any objective and diligent approach is missed and also has a negative effect on the discussion of mobile phones unfortunately.” The cancer investigation at issue is only the latest of several dubious studies, statements and approaches, which all condemn the technology in advance and aim purely to get rid of mobile phones. Despite the evidence provided of the absence of a C-Netz facility at the Hausmannstätten site, Dr. Oberfeld persists in disregarding the facts and will not stop disseminating his comments, which border on accusations. “As a result, legal action was unavoidable. However, ultimately it is a matter of making the discussion more objective once more. Science must have every freedom but it may not be free of facts”, Maier explains the lawsuit against the Salzburg-based environmental doctor and lecturer to the Austrian Medical Association. 
“Obviously he is not aware of the consequences of his partisan work and his responsibility as well as his increased duty of care”, days Maier. Those who are responsible for public health may no longer negate this additional “worst case scenario of Austrian research” and remain silent on it. A study commissioned by the Province of Styria, financed with taxpayers’ funds, must at least fulfil fundamental quality criteria and be able to withstand scientific examination. “We cannot have a situation where individual players influence discussions of health in Austria in such a way and never have to suffer any consequences”, Maier is shocked by the repeatedly subjective approach. “The people of Hausmannstätten and Vasoldsberg were fooled into thinking that the cause of the cancer cases and their suffering had been investigated. This is an irresponsible way of dealing with people’s lives”, the industry’s representative justifies his agitation. 

The Oberfeld study is evidence of the fact that this approach leads to erroneous results
“Dr. Oberfeld’s approach was and is not impartial and is not independent in any way”, criticises the FMK. “With the very free idea of research and the methods used, everything can be made responsible for cancer”, Maier adds. “It is also high time we cleared up the myth of the Salzburg milliwatt or even microwatt.” On the one hand, a current survey by ARC Seibersdorf shows that the simulation tool used by Dr. Oberfeld for electromagnetic fields, Nirview, only has very limited explanatory power. The fluctuation range for Nirview simulations within buildings – compared with an immissions measurement that meets the various standards set – extends up to a factor of 1,000. On the other hand, the results of the report by the Swiss Federal Office for Communication (BAKOM) on the investigation of a milliwatt network dating from 2002 and more recent investigations from Germany demonstrate that these arbitrary demands for milliwatts or microwatts (which would be a thousandth to a millionth of the maximum figures recommended nationally and internationally) would signify a quasi switching off of the mobile phone networks and consequently the only country wide emergency call system for the general public.
 
UMTS – new technology with less transmitting power
The technical comments by Dr. Oberfeld, where he ascribes higher transmitting power to UMTS technology than GSM (in fact, while a GSM mobile has a transmitting power of up to 2 watts, the maximum transmitting power of a UMTS mobile is 0.25 watts), also show how unsound these demands for a reduction in the maximum permissible value from Salzburg are. “In this area, technical misinformation can even be checked metrologically”. Maier is surprised by Dr. Oberfeld’s undisputed statements in some media. “Dr. Oberfeld is represented in various bodies of the Austrian health care system, his demands often receive political approval, he acts as a lecturer and trainer in the field of medicine and works far beyond Salzburg in providing administrative assistance. We therefore may and must demand – in the interests of our citizens – that he deals with such sensitive and important material particularly responsibly and carefully in such an emotional and unsettled environment”, demands Maier. “To act as though only a simple error had occurred and everything will return to normal, would give the wrong signal for Austria’s scientific reputation and the seriousness of the discussion”, concludes Maier.
 
FMK- Forum Mobilkommunikation
The voluntary initiative by the industry, the FMK, is your point of contact for all questions on mobile communications and the mobile phone infrastructure. The FMK mediates between operators and communities to find common solutions. We will provide you with figures, data and facts so that you can form your own opinion of mobile phones. Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, FEEI, Hutchison 3G Austria, Kapsch Carrier Com, mobilkom austria, Motorola, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, One, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and T-Mobile support the FMK.