According to a report in the Telegraph (UK), a study has found that teenagers who used their mobile phones frequently (making more than five calls or sending more than five text messages per day) were more likely to experience disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue than those who used their phones less frequently.

After reviewing over 100 medical and scientific papers, as well as press and internet content, Canberra neurosurgeon, Dr Vini Khurana, has suggested that a causal link between excessive, prolonged mobile phone use and brain tumours can no longer be regarded as a myth. He states that “this danger has broader ramifications than asbestos and smoking and directly concerns us all”.

In recent months, the French Health Ministry, the Vienna Medical Association and Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection have all urged caution in the use of mobile phones, particularly among children, due to uncertainty regarding their safety. Erik Huber, environment adviser for the Vienna Medical Association, is quoted by Agnes Muhlgassner as saying that “Scientists do not argue anymore whether mobile phones are harmful, but how harmful they are”.

In Australia, telecommunications companies are permitted to install “low impact” mobile phone masts without either council approval or public consultation. Hence, as well as being located on free-standing towers, these devices can be seen on the roofs of many shops, churches, and other public buildings.