You are here: silicon.com > Networks > Mobile & Wireless

Mobile & Wireless

Firms urged to act over mobile health scare

By John Oates

Published: 20 July 1999 00:30 GMT

Employers must act now to avoid health risks associated with mobile phones, even though they have not conclusively been proved, according to a top law firm.

Solicitor's, Russell, Jones & Walker is representing three people who are suing their employers for damaging their health through mobile phone use.

Simon Allen, head of occupational diseases at the firm, said: "Employers should consider their position now, although there is no evidence of actual harm yet."

But he said the cases depend on conclusive medical evidence: " We have two lawyers over in the States looking at cases which have been brought against phone manufacturers there. But until a definite link between phones and illness is made, we cannot continue with the cases here," he said.

Scientist, Roger Coghill, head of Coghill Research, said: "The evidence is there for all to see. I don't see how a legal decision in the US will make any difference to the situation here. A court of law is no place to solve scientific arguments."

Coghill recently gave evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee calling on them to remove power from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and create a new research body funded by power generators and mobile phone companies to look at these issues.

Coghill also claimed there has been a huge cover-up of the potential health risks. "Mobile phone companies knew there were problems before 1990 because they were patenting technology for low-radiation phones," he alleged.

Dr Michael Clarke, a spokesman for the NRPB, said "The risk of serious effect from phones has been overblown and, in some cases, misreported. But the government has asked us to set up a committee to look at this, which we have done." The committee is due to report back to the Select Committee next year.

  1. Zones
  2. Management
  3. Networks
  4. Software
  5. IT Services
  6. Hardware
  1. Verticals
  2. Public Sector
  3. Financial Services
  4. Retail & Leisure

Read and write about internet access at the airports of the world at atlarge.com.

Natasha Lomas Exclusive: Jimmy Wales on what's next for Wikipedia Why Wikipedia needs geeks and why a life unplugged is unthinkable

Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: United breaks guitars? Customer service has changed forever


  • Jobs
ISEB Test Analyst Needed For Media Giant - Cheshire

Designing and executing automated and manual test cases and test scripts. Identifying and executing test cases specifically related to web-based ...

National Sales Manager - Telecoms

Ensure that you are current with the existing portfolio of products and solutions and be able to evidence feedback of key customer trends when this ...

Market Risk Controller - London

Monitoring and maintaining and managing an appropriate Mark Risk Exposure across the Group Regular review of limits to ensure that the match the risk ...

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.





Quick Sitemap Links: