Advice from the UK Health Protection Agency

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Advice from the UK Health Protection Agency

'if there are currently unrecognised adverse health effects from the use of mobile phones, children may be more vulnerable because of their developing nervous system, the greater absorption of energy in the tissues of the head and a longer lifetime of exposure' (paragraph 1.53).

It is, therefore, recommended in line with the precautionary approach that:

'the widespread use of phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged' (paragraph 1.53).

It is also recommended that the mobile phone industry should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by children.

Subsequent to publication of the Stewart Report, the Department of Health has issued two information leaflets on mobile phones and on base stations (DH, 2000a and 2000b). These leaflets summarise some of the main conclusions in the Stewart Report. In relation to the exposures of children, it is stressed that the use of phones by children should be kept to a minimum and limited to essential calls only.