Hands-free kits 'halve radiation from mobiles'

Radiation from mobile phones could be cut by half by using hands-free kits, according to new research.

On average, earphone devices cut the amount of energy emitted into the head by 47 per cent as against pressing the phone to the ear.

The study also found less radiation going into the head when the wire from the hands-free kit ran up the user's torso, which itself soaked up some emissions.

Today's findings follow confusion over the effectiveness of handsfree kits.

Which? magazine suggested four years ago that the devices actually increased emissions. A Trade and Industry Department study said the exact opposite.

Dr Stuart Porter, of York University electronics department, said: "We believe we have now identified a method of accurately measuring maximum emissions.

"Hands-free kits do appear to reduce the exposure from a mobile phone by about half."

But concerns remain about the overall dangers of mobiles. Last week scientists warned of particular health risks to young children.

Sir William Stewart, chairman of the Health Protection Agency, said it "could not possibly be right" to give a child under eight a mobile phone.

A study by the National Radiological Protection Board was unable to declare mobile phones and masts safe and said no firm conclusion could be reached on their impact on the human body.

The latest study forms part of a ?7.4 million government-funded Mobile Telecommunications Health Research programme.

Costing ?122,000, the study of hands-free kits is set to be published in a scientific journal later this year.

Dr Porter and other experts used probes on a phantom head containing-liquid to measure electrical currents created by wires from kits in various positions.

The emission level of a mobile is measured in terms of its specific absorption rate (SAR) - the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body per unit of body mass.

Dr Michael Clark, of the National Radiological Protection Board, said: "These results show that hands-free kits reduce SAR values."

A spokesman for the Mobile Operators' Association said: "If people are concerned, they can reduce their exposure to radio waves by using a hands-free kit."