Magazine finds hands-free phone kits boost radiation exposure

In this story: Emissions cut in some positions RELATED STORIES, SITES

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Fresh evidence that hands-free mobile phone kits can significantly boost the brain's exposure to radiation was published on Thursday, challenging U.K. government research amid consumer health concerns.

British consumer research magazine Which? said its new findings confirmed claims it first published in April that using hands-free earpieces could more than triple the brain's exposure to radiation compared to a conventional mobile phone call.

The original report was dismissed in August by the government, which commissioned research that showed the kits did cut exposure levels.

But Which? said the methodology used in the government research was flawed and that further research using a more realistic model confirmed hands-free kits could act as an aerial that channeled radiation to the ear.

The level of emissions depended on the distance between the tip of the phone's aerial and the earpiece, which varied according to how the phone was held. The government tests did not allow for this, Which? said.

"As in our earlier tests, it's clear that consumers can't rely on hands-free kits to reduce radiation emissions at the brain from mobile phones," Which? editor Helen Parker said.

"Although these kits can reduce radiation, they can also increase it significantly, depending on where you position the phone and kit. Unfortunately, there is no way that consumers can work out the best position to reduce radiation."

The increased emissions were still within British and European safety levels, she said.

Scientists agree that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones warms brain tissue, that some strains of mice have developed cancer in tests in Australia and Finland and that others become disorientated.

But it remains unproven that mobile phones pose a human health risk.

Which? said the kits could cut emissions by 10 to 90 percent in some positions. But in others they could increase them by a factor of 1.5-3.5. The government used only one position which did not allow the wire to hang straight down, Which? said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Trade and Industry said it still had doubts about the Which? research because of the type and position of the measuring probe used and the liquid inside the test dummy's head.

"The important thing is that we resolve the differences," she said.

Mobile phone maker Ericsson also played down the new findings.

"Ericsson and other mobile phone manufacturers, while not agreeing with the conclusions, encourage any organization that believes that they have an alternative test methodology to put their case to international standards setting bodies in order for experts to evaluate the relative merits of the respective methods," it said in a statement.

Which? said it was impossible to recommend a "safe" position for holding a phone. Both short and long distances between the aerial and the earpiece produced increased emissions, with only a short length in the middle generating lower emissions than conventional calls.

It said fitting small ferrite collars made from metallic or ceramic compounds over hands-free kit wires appeared to cut radiation into the ear.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mobile phones will feature radiation labels next year
August 28, 2000
Mobile phones to carry radiation labels
August 28, 2000
Brain cancer victim sues cell-phone providers
August 8, 2000
Are companies liable for cell-phone health risks?
August 2, 2000
Cell phones source of radiation fears
July 18, 2000

Which?
UK Department of Trade and Industry
Ericsson

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.