The Irish mobile phone industry reacted cautiously to a study published yesterday which claimed that people who used mobile phones in rural areas face a greater risk of developing a brain tumour than those in towns and cities.
The study, carried out on 1,400 adults who were diagnosed with malignant or benign tumours of the brain, concluded that people using digital mobile phones in rural areas are at least three times and up to eight times more likely to develop tumours than those living in urban areas.
The researchers, who carried out the study in Sweden, have published their findings in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Tommy McCabe, director of the Irish Cellular Industry Association, said last night he was taking the findings of the study seriously but more extensive research would need to be carried out before a reliable conclusion could be reached.
" It is research based on a very small sample survey. The industry would welcome more research in this area but other studies have failed to offer conclusive proof that there is any link between mobile phone use and cancer."
Past studies have indicated there is a difference in the power output from mobile phones between urban and rural areas due to the fact that base stations tend to be much farther apart.
An action group in Co Meath is concerned mobile phone companies may use this new research to put up more masts in rural areas.
"I would be very cautious of putting up more masts," said Dr Don MacAuley of Mast Action in Meath. "The concern is that there are not enough controls over where the masts are put up. I would call upon the Government to introduce precautionary mast-free safety zones around schools.
"The only legislation we have is nine years old in an industry that changes by the month."
With the mobile phone technology relatively new, experts have acknowledged the possibility of a problem emerging after prolonged use.
The chairman of the Health Protection Agency in Britain, William Stewart, has called on parents to ban children under nine from using mobile phones.