AMTA has written to Better Homes and Gardens pointing out that it has published an article that falsely claims health benefits from a “chip” which allegedly reduces emissions from mobile phone handsets.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, said contrary to suggestions in a recent article (Healthy you Nov) there are no established health effects from mobile phones.

“Your article promotes the use of a specific “chip” to reduce exposure to mobile phone emissions; however, companies selling these products simply ignore the expert opinion of scientists, government agencies and health authorities around the world in order to sell their products,” he said.

“Companies selling these products have an undeniable interest in promoting mobile phone health concerns. These concerns sell their products. A number of companies selling these products have been prosecuted in Australia and overseas for making unsubstantiated health claims and misleading customers.”

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) current advice states:

None of the recent reviews have concluded that exposure to the RF (radio frequency) fields from mobile phones and their base stations cause any adverse health consequences.

The WHO also provides advice for consumers on these types of devices:

Scientific evidence does not indicate any need for RF-absorbing covers or other ‘absorbing devices’ on mobile phones. They cannot be justified on health grounds and the effectiveness of many such devices in reducing RF exposure is unproven.

In May 2002 the UK Government published a report into the effectiveness of mobile phone shielding and absorbing devices. The report found these devices either did not work at all or that they significantly interfered with the normal operation of the phone and that the phone’s performance was ‘sharply reduced’ in weak signal areas and when used inside buildings.

In February 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged two companies with making false and unsubstantiated claims for selling devices claiming to protect mobile phone users from radiation. According to FTC, the defendants lacked a reasonable basis to substantiate their claim.

Mr Althaus said: “Also, in two separate cases, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took action against Melbourne firms, Phoneflasher.com and Purple Harmony Plates International after they falsely claimed their products reduced radiation exposure.

Finally, mobile phones are designed, built and tested to comply with strict science based guidelines which are recognised by international health agencies around the world as providing ample protection for all users.”