Mobile phone safety investigation planned

Date: 17/04/03

EU SCIENTISTS plan to meet later this year to discuss the latest evidence of the effects that using a mobile phone has on the human brain.

Philippe Busquin, the European research commissioner, said the meeting will take place in Budapest in November and will follow-up earlier events devoted to the impact phone-use has on children.

Scientists have been examining the risks of mobile phone use and proximity equipment, such as masts, for years. Evidence suggests phones and equipment made according to current EU standards are safe - despite claims that they cause cancer.

However, Busquin said the Commission wants to extend research into the issue during the new '6th framework' of EU-funded R&D, which began this year, and set up a network of stakeholders to meet regularly to discuss results as soon as they emerge.

EU scientists plan to meet later this year to discuss the latest evidence of the effects that using a mobile phone has on the human brain.