January 16, 2005
How high is the radiation level of your mobile phone?
According to The Sunday Mirror, phone companies are burrying information about the radiation levels of their handsets in a website which is so complicated it takes a computer expert more than three hours to negotiate.
Michael Milligan, a spokesman for the Mobile Manufacturers Forum, which is responsible for providing the ratings, said: "The information is there and available if you want to check it. But we do not really support consumers using the ratings to decide which phones are safer than others."
The investigation was launched as radiological expert Professor Sir William Stewart warned parents to ban children under eight from using mobiles. "SAR values are available but they are difficult to compare - more should be done to make the information available." he said.
As a result of the investigation, the Department of Health plans to contact mobile companies to tell them to provide the information in an easy format.
Janice Allen of the National Consumer Council said phone companies need to be honest with consumers, "Grouping phone models according to high, medium or low emissions would be more useful."
Mike Clarke of the National Radiological Protection Board added: "While the risks of mobile phones are still unclear, consumers need all the information to make their decision."
Related articles, studies and ressources:
- Get off that mobile, expert tells children.
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