New 3G phones less harmful than previous avatars: Australian research

3G phones used by iPhones, BlackBerries and other smart phones give a much lower dose of radiowaves to the brain than earlier models, a health expert has claimed.

However, professor Bruce Armstrong from the University of Sydney, says that their frequent use could still cause cancer, reports the Sydney Morning Herald

Armstrong who worked on the report with 30 other experts said researchers studied radiowave activity on those who used phones the heaviest and for the longest period, and health risks for average users was "really quite small".

The 3G technology also appeared to emit less harmful radiowaves, he said. But research on these new technologies was still in its infancy.

"A very important observation, really, just based on the technology, is that the 3G phones in fact give a much lower dose to the brain than the previous generations," professor Armstrong said.

He added that while health agencies tended to err on the side of caution it was still important people avoided heavy mobile-phone use. "I think that's a very common principal of public health, that in the face of uncertainty ... it's good to take precautions," he said. "I would say that the main message out of this study is to avoid exposing your brain to radiowaves from mobile phones,” he added.