Mobile phone radiation: it's better to be safe than sorry

The second volume of a report that detailed the history of technologies later found to be harmful has sparked discussion over the possibility that mobile phones have cancer-causing radiation.

The European Environment Agency's Late Lessons From Early Warnings was first published in 2001. The 750-page second edition, published in January, discusses an increased risk of some brain tumours associated with long-term mobile phone use. Among other topics in the report's 20 case studies were industrial mercury poisoning, fertility problems caused by pesticides and hormone-disrupting chemicals in common plastics.

The report also alleges that governments and the mobile phone industry have been slow to respond to the problem.

In 2011, the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer called cellular device radiation "possibly carcinogenic", or cancer causing. It is believed that the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by these devices may harm brain cells, upsetting sleep patterns and causing migraines, memory problems and even tumours.

Recently, local company New Star began selling cases for mobile devices that are said to protect users from EMR exposure. Made by Pong Research a US-based firm, the Pong cases feature a patented, ultra-thin, flexible printed circuit board antenna that is said to redirect and redistribute the waves - both cellular (such as 3G) and Wi-fi - to the back of the device, away from your head.

There are Pong cases for a wide range of smartphones and other devices. Pong claims the case has been proven in laboratory tests to reduce users' exposure to mobile phone radiation by up to 95 per cent, putting it below the limit set by the US Federal Communications Commission.