VIENNA: Doctors in Austria have warned of the dangers of mobile phones to children and called for them to carry labels showing their radiation levels. “When drugs are launched into the market the research on their effects is made public. With mobile telephony on the other hand, new technology is being distributed when its effects are still not known,” warned Erik Huber, a doctor specialising in environmental issues, on the Austrian doctors’ association website.

He said children should be specially protected against radiation emitted by mobile telephones.

“Our children should not be used as guinea pigs,” warned Huber, adding that “mobile telephones are about as dangerous for children as sunbathing”.

The group advised that phones should be used as infrequently and as briefly as possible, and not in cars as this increased radiation levels.

Its recommendations, which also include avoiding playing games on mobile phones, have been taken up by Austria’s health ministry.—AFP