Low-radiation phone patents

Mobile phone manufacturers engaged in several legal actions in the US may face compelling new evidence that the radiation from mobile phones is a health risk—from their own patents.

While the companies have been publicly proclaiming the safety of their products, they have been applying for patents for designs intended to reduce radiation exposure. These include:

  • a Nokia shield between the antenna and the head (patented 28.07.98);
  • a Nokia accessory to decrease radiation to the head (patented 29.12.98);
  • a Nokia alarm to help people to position the phone appropriately (patented 25.01.00);
  • a Motorola antenna with a coating of shielding material (patent filed 226.12.95);
  • a Motorola shield to distance the user from the antenna (patent filed 23.09.97);
  • a Motorola antenna from material which provides shielding (patent filed 25.09.97);
  • an Ericsson antenna switch which ensures that phone can only be used when antenna is fully extended.

In one of its patent applications, Nokia discusses the relationship of phone emissions with health risk. It says, “...it has been suggested that modulated radio-frequency radiation induces changes in the electrical status, ie, in the ion balance of nerves. A continuous localized exposure to radio-frequency irradiation has been suggested to weaken myelin sheets of cells and to eventually lead to an impairment of hearing capability, vertigo, etc. It has been suggested that radio-frequency irradiation may stimulate extra growth among supportive cells in the nerve system, which in the worst case it has been suggested could [lead] to a development of malignant tumors, eg, glioma.” (RCR News, 04.06.01.)

EMRAA News Sept 2001, Vol 6 No 3

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