Doubts over 'safe phone' sticker

Fears have been voiced over mobile phone use

A sticker developed by a Scottish-based firm, which claims to neutralise radiation from mobile phones, has been given a sceptical response by safety experts.

Aulterra International claimed to have developed a sticker which shields the user from radiation from mobile phones handsets.

American inventor Kim Dandurand, who launched the product in Glasgow, said research showed his product was effective in removing any harmful effects.

However, Dr Michael Clark, scientific spokesman for the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), was "sceptical" about the stickers' properties.

Aulterra was launching the product in Glasgow

A recent British Medical Association report suggested that there is no evidence that mobile use is cancer-promoting.

However, the official government advice is still precautionary - parents are advised to minimise the amount of time their children spend talking on mobiles because their developing brains are thought to be more vulnerable.

Mr Dandurand said the sticker, which is the size of a 10p piece, should be considered an inexpensive insurance policy.

He claimed Aulterra is an organic compound from a crystalline rock that he found in 1995.

Mr Dandurand said he found that the substance reacted with the earth's magnetic fields and neutralised radiation from soils.

Electro magnetic waves

"The easiest way to describe it is that it neutralises any damaging effect from electro magnetic waves from a cellphone on human DNA," Mr Dandurand said.

The company claims that when the invention was used the DNA reacted as if there was no cellphone present.

However the NRPB, the independent government watchdog which assesses the affect of radiation on humans, said there was no evidence that DNA was affected by mobile phone conditions and it was "sceptical" about the effects of this device.

We remain to be convinced of their effectiveness in reducing personal exposure in normal conditions of use of mobile phones.

Dr Michael Clark

Dr Clark said: "We would endorse the view of the Stewart report on mobile phone use.

"There are various devices that seek to reduce exposure to radio frequency radiation from mobile phones.

"These include shields and other devices that attach to phones.

"We remain to be convinced of their effectiveness in reducing personal exposure in normal conditions of use of mobile phones."