The UK National Radiological Protection Board has published on 11 January a major report advising "a continued precautionary approach" to the use of mobile phones, especially by children under nine.
"There is no hard evidence at present that the health of the public, in general, is being affected adversely by the use of mobile phone technologies", the NRPB said in a statement. "But uncertainties remain and a continued precautionary approach to their use is recommended until the situation is further clarified," it added.
NRPB Chairman Sir William Stewart pointed out that the widespread use of mobile phones was "still a relatively recent phenomenon" and did not rule out that "possible adverse effects could emerge after years of prolonged use".
"The evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgements has not yet been accumulated," he said.
The NRPB therefore concludes that earlier recommendations on limiting the use of mobile phones by children "remain appropriate as a precautionary measure".
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4, he said: "If there are risks - and we think there may be risks - then the people who are going to be most affected are children, and the younger the child, the greater the danger."
The NRPB said the Department of Health in England received letters from members of the public reporting "a variety of distressing symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, chronic headache, irregular heart beat, nausea and vertigo, and loss of memory and concentration".
The matter needs all the more attention, notes the NRPB, since new telecommunication technologies, including third-generation (3G) mobile phones are being rolled out. It insisted that exposure to radio frequencies be consistent with existing safety guidelines.
In 1999, European standard were introduced relating to public exposure to Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) generated by mobile phones. The standard obliges manufacturers to ensure that their products do not give rise to adverse effects on health.
EU member states, however, remain free to adopt binding or non-binding measures at national level.
