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York (pte050/19.01.2005/16:00) - Using hands-free kits with mobile phones cuts radiation emissions that are usually absorbed by the head, a recent study suggests. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, a team from the University of York http://www.york.ac.uk has recommended using the kits as a precaution after a test on mobile phones which operated at two different frequencies found that using a hands-free kit cut emissions by 53 per cent.
The researchers used a model human head containing a liquid, which measured the specific absorption rate (SAR), and a wire-based hands-free kit. The SAR is the rate at which the body absorbs emissions from the phone handset. The majority of phones emit radio signals at SAR levels of between 0.5 and 1 watts per kg.
"From our perspective, we are not saying use hands-free kits because mobile phones are unsafe, but if people are concerned about potential risks there may be some value from a precautionary approach," said Stuart Porter of the department of electronics at the University of York. However, according to a spokeswoman for the Mobile Operator's Association, there was no need to use hands-free kits on safety grounds. "All mobile phones sold in this country comply with international health and safety exposure guidelines.," she said.
The study comes only a week after government adviser William Stewart said that children should only use mobile phones in an emergency. Although there is still no evidence that mobile phones are dangerous, Stewart said it should not stop parents being cautious. The team of researchers did not look at whether the phones were harmful.
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