Mobile phone 'health risk'

A stark warning about the health dangers posed by mobile phones is given today by a group of scientists.

No conclusive evidence has yet been produced to substantiate claims that microwave radiation from mobile phones can damage the brain - but many experts are nonetheless convinced that a danger exists.

Six scientists from the United States, Australia and Sweden who have been examining the effects of radiation similar to that produced by mobile phones spell out their fears tonight on BBC1's Watchdog HealthCheck programme.

Their experiments indicate links to diseases such as asthma, Alzheimer's Disease and cancer.

Two of the scientists disclose that they have stopped using mobile phones, while the other four say they use them "only when essential" because of the possible risks.

Dr Henry Lai and Dr N P Singh from the University of Washington in Seattle both report on the damage caused to DNA in the brain cells of rats exposed to microwaves. Their work suggests that "hot-spots" may develop inside the brain, causing damage.

The European Commission has established a committee to decide priorities for further research into the effects of mobile phones.