Mobile phone companies have rejected a new scientific report which suggests that safety standards governing radiation emissions from mobile phones are too lax, and that these devices could cause brain tumours and Alzheimer's disease.
The Bioinitiative study, compiled by scientists and health experts from the US, Sweden, Britain, China and the European Environment Agency in Denmark, states that the radiation emitted by mobile phones may cause serious health effects and documents scientific evidence in the US from as far back as 1979 that linked childhood leukaemia to exposure to power lines.
The study, published yesterday, states that the weight of evidence warrants new public safety limits, and limits on further deployment of "risky technologies" from a public health policy standpoint.
The Irish Cellular Industry Association, which represents mobile operators Vodafone, O2, Meteor Mobile Communications and 3 Ireland, said several reports commissioned by the Government and the World Health Organisation had found no adverse health effects associated with the use of mobile phones.
