Health risk warning over mobiles

13 April 2012

Findings from the latest review of research into mobile phone health risks were being issued by government scientists today.

The report from the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (Agnir) includes conclusions and recommendations based on evidence from studies in the past two years.

It is the first appraisal of mobile phone safety since the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, chaired by Sir William Stewart, reported in 2000.

The Stewart Report said there was no clear evidence that mobile phones were harmful to health.

But it accepted there may be biological effects below guideline radiation levels and recommended a "precautionary approach".

People were advised to keep mobile phone calls brief, and to discourage children from using handsets.

The Government later introduced advice leaflets to be included with each new mobile phone.

A new European standard for measuring radiation absorption levels was also adopted.

The jury is still out on whether mobile phones can cause brain tumours and other health problems.

Some experts claim radiation from mobile phones can lead to headaches, sleeping disorders and memory loss.

More than 40 million mobile phones are now in circulation in the UK, many of them used by children.

Children are considered more at risk because they have thinner skulls, smaller heads, and nervous systems that are still developing.

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