Although there is no irrefutable medical evidence about health risks, the government is taking a precautionary approach. Nearly half of Britain's population, more than 25 million people, own a cell phone. May. Sir William Stewart, who led the inquiry, will head the research programme to be funded by the government and the cell phone industry. Beginning next year there will be a European standard for measuring SAR which will be provided with each phone. Scientists say the jury is still out on whether cell phones cause brain tumors or other health problems.
Some researchers claim they are the cause of headaches, sleeping disorders and memory loss.
Children could be more vulnerable to any potential ill effects because they have thinner skulls, smaller heads and their nervous system is still developing. A study released earlier this month showed hands-free phone kits could boost the brain's exposure to radiation. The government leaflet said more studies are needed to assess the SAR of the hands-free kit. Research in the U.S. has shown that heavy users of cell phones are involved in more fatal road accidents than people who use them less often. Copyright 2000 Reuters .