User risk: Irish mobile phone network providers and manufacturers said they would not be labelling mobiles as unsuitable for use by young children despite a warning by the UK's leading adviser on radiation about potential health risks of mobile phones.
Sir William Stewart, chairman of the Health Protection Agency and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), last week advised parents to take precautionary measures regarding their children's use of mobile phones as scientists were still unable to say whether they were safe.
He said it was ludicrous to give three to eight-year-olds mobile phones, and cautioned that nine- to 14-year-olds should use low-emission models, make only short essential calls and use text messaging as far as possible.
In response, Ms Jill Johnston, chairwoman of the Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA), said none of its members marketed mobiles to children under 16 years of age.
A spokeswoman for Vodafone, which is a member of the ICIA, said it would "absolutely not" be placing precautionary labels regarding children's use on its phones. She reiterated that, like all ICIA members, Vodafone didn't market to children. "We only market to school leavers and those above that age."
This was not because of health concerns but rather because of responsible marketing commitments, she said. "There are very solid reasons for parents to choose mobiles for younger children but we'd never seek to force their hand one way or another," she added.
Last June the ICIA produced a guide to parents on the use of mobile phones, Ms Johnston said. Entitled The Knowledge, it deals with wide-ranging issues and is available on network providers' websites, from their shops and Garda stations. However, a copy of the leaflet on the ICIA's website shows the safety advice for parents does not include information on possible health risks of mobile use, but focuses instead on issues such as bullying, theft, SPAM and illegal images.
In relation to the availability of information about the emissions levels, known as SAR values (specific absorption rate), from different mobile phones, Ms Johnston said her association "will look at providing further information".
In relation to SAR data on industry websites, Sir Stewart said you needed to be a computer operator to get to it, a physicist to understand it and have a PhD to analyse it effectively.
A Vodafone Ireland spokeswoman said SAR values were printed on the box of every mobile phone sold through one of its agents. SAR information is also available in a Vodafone leaflet, on the ICIA website, and a full page of the company's website dealt with and explained SAR values, she said.
Sir Stewart cautioned against children having mobiles because their skulls were not fully thickened, their nervous systems were not fully developed and the radiation penetrated further into their brains. While he acknowledged there was still no hard evidence that the health of the public had been adversely affected by the use of mobile phone technology, he said he did not think he could put his hand on his heart and say mobile phones were totally safe.
Mr Dermot Jewell of the Consumers' Association of Ireland said, "Until it is proven that there is no problem in using mobiles then we must logically assume that there might be." Retailers should advise consumers these health safety issues exist, he said.