Cordless phone recommendations

A German government agency has issued a warning about the use of cordless (DECT) phones.

According to current scientific knowledge nationally and internationally, there are indications for biological effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields which are the means of transmission for DECT phones”, said the Federal Agency for Radiation Protection (BfS) in a press release of 31 January.

The Agency advises that DECT phones are usually the highest source of high frequency radiation inside a home, because the “base station” is continually transmitting signals.

“To prevent possible health risks, the BfS recommends minimising personal radiation exposure.” For people who continue to use cordless phones it recommends:

  • locate the base station away from high use areas;
  • make short calls only
  • use the latest generation of phones which are emission free when not in use.

(http://www.bfs.de/bfs/presse/pr06/pr0602)

from 'EMR and Health' June 2006, vol 2 no 2

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