Although we tested only two kits, our experts agree others could suffer from the same problem. We confronted Carphone Warehouse, which sells one of the kits we tested, with the evidence. Its factsheets tell consumers who are concerned about radiation to 'use an earpiece attachment so you are not using the phone directly next to your head'. The factsheets don't, however, state the fact that this can lead to higher radiation levels. Carphone Warehouse says it is revising the factsheets to say it can't comment on the effectiveness of these products - and promises to include our findings.
Most people know that ionising radiation, like X-rays, can cause cancer.
Non-ionising radiation still causes problems, though. Exposure to high levels can cause your temperature to rise, which makes your heart work harder, and can lead to headaches, sickness, and dizziness. Mobile phones emit only low levels of these radio waves. But some people say that, even at levels too low to cause these heating effects, they can cause 'non-thermal' effects such as tumours, headaches, and memory loss. Radiation Key Mobile phone masts cover a set area called a cell - this can be 100 metres across in a town, and up to five kilometres wide in the country.