Mobile Phones May Be Leaking Hazardous Chemicals

MALMO, Sweden, May 12, 2000

(ENS) - Swedish scientists have claimed that hazardous chemicals emitted by mobile phones could be causing symptoms such as headaches in phone users.

The researchers claim this is the first report of possible leaching of chemicals from mobile phones in use. Cellphone (Photo courtesy Ericsson)

According to Bo Börstell and colleagues at Malmö based contract testing laboratory IMTEC, mobile phones warmed to body heat, as they could be when pressed against the ear, emitted a range of chemicals, including phenol, cresol and biphenyls.

They suggest that these could enter mobile phone users' bodies through the skin or by inhalation.

-----In its response, the UK government has already agreed that information on SARs should be widely available and to set up a research program. More information, and the full text of the report, are available at: http://www.iegmp.org.uk/  Published in cooperation with ENDS Environment Daily, Europe's choice for environmental news. Environmental Data Services Ltd, London. Email: envdaily@ends.co.uk}

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