Nearly Half of Frequent Users of Mobile Phone Fear Health Risks

Almost one in two (43%) people who use mobile phones daily are particularly concerned about potential health risks from electromagnetic radiation. Over one in three (37%) less frequent users of mobile phones are similarly concerned.

Greatest concern is shown by younger users, with a slight bias towards men and people living in the south of England.

The study sheds further light on mobile phone usage, with 44% of the population reporting that they use one. Of these, 46% claim to use their phone daily, and it is this group which shows the greatest concern about health risks. Mobile phone users are more likely to be male, ABC1s, full time workers, PC users and to have higher incomes - a very similar profile to those who are concerned about the potential health risks of mobile phones.

Need for protection

62% of all mobile phone users expressed interest in obtaining a product which might reduce potential health risks, rising to 71% of those using their phones daily. Eight in ten of those who are particularly concerned about health risks are interested in purchasing such a device.

At the moment there is a limited range of products available which shield against the thermal effects of microwaves emitted by mobile phones. The Tecno AO, introduced nationally this month in the UK, is the first device to protect against the harmful non-thermal effects of very low frequency (VLF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones. These low frequencies have been shown to be more damaging than microwaves, which until now have been the only recognised source of health risks.

Technical details

MORI interviewed 2012 adults between 7th and 10th May 1999