Mobiles & Your Health

Mobile phones are low power devices that emit and receive radio waves, and there has been recent public concern about their possible impact on health.

Radio waves emitted above a certain level can cause heating effects in the body; however, all mobiles sold in the UK meet requirements ensuring that any exposure is kept below that level.

However, there is some evidence that changes in brain activity can occur below these guidelines. This has led a group of independent experts (headed by Sir William Stewart) to recommend "a precautionary approach" to the use of mobile phones until more research findings become available.

Reducing the Risks

To minimise your exposure to radio waves, try to keep your calls short, and look at the relative SAR values when buying a new phone.

The SAR value measures the specific absorption rate - how much radio wave energy your body receives. This information has been provided to consumers for each model of mobile phone sold in the UK since 2001.

Using a hands free kit may reduce SAR, although this has not yet been scientifically proven.