A fresh European study into the effects of radiation from mobile phones, claimed to be the biggest in the world to-date, kicked off yesterday, despite previous studies showing no ill effects.
Researchers will assess 250,000 mobile users aged 18-69 in five European countries over the next 20-30 years, in a bid to give a definitive view on whether handsets cause cancer and other health problems, FT.com reports.
The Cosmos study is expected to cost £5-7 million (€5.7-8) in its first five years alone, with the UK’s Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) programme stumping up an initial £3.1 billion towards the project.
Although the subject has already been heavily researched, scientists say the timeframe of previous studies was too short the BBC said.
MTHR committee member Professor Lawrie Challis told FT.com that a longer study is warranted, because cancer symptoms can take up to 20 years to develop.
In an official statement, MTHR chairman Professor David Coggon, said. “The parallel collection of similar data in several European countries will give added value.”