Health implications of the use of mobile phones by children

There is widespread concern about the possible health effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones. This report includes a detailed review o f studies that have been carried out on possible thermal and non-thermal health effects, including the latest research that suggests a link with cancer. This report focuses on the particular health risks to children due to their smaller heads, thinner skulls, higher tissue conductivity, and less developed nervous systems. Primary research was carried out in the form o f a survey o f 524 secondary school children in the U K and their use of mobile phones. It found that 95% had a mobile phone, with 85% using it regularly. The mean number o f calls made per day was 4.1 (95% CI = 3.7 - 4.5) and the mean length o f call was 4.9 minutes (95% C I = 4.4 - 5.4). The survey found a highly significant relation between the total length o f time a day the mobile phone was used and the occurrence of health symptoms, using the Chi Squared test at a 1% level o f significance. The major health symptoms reported were headaches, ringing in the ears and short-term memory loss. Children who used their mobile phone for more than 20 minutes a day were nearly twice as likely to report symptoms (OR=1.95, 99% CI =1.04 - 3.64) A survey was also carried out on mobile phone retailers and it found that they were all failing to follow Government guidelines. 0% o f the retailers mentioned health issues as something to consider when buying a mobile phone for a 10-year-old, and 40% did not stock the Department o f Health leaflet on mobile phones and health. The report concludes that these Government guidelines should be made statutory, and that it is vital that further comprehensive independent research is carried out into nonthermal health effects of mobile phones