The growing use of mobile phone hands-free kits to reduce the head’s exposure to radiation brings the possibility of embryonic and foetal damage if women wear the phone near the abdomen whilst pregnant. The pelvic structure promotes deep penetration of radiofrequency radiation, which can be absorbed by the embryo/foetus. The damaging genetic effects already demonstrated in human cells are particularly likely in fast-growing organisms, increasing the risk of cancer and neurologicalproblems like autism.

Original source: The Associated Bioelectromagnetics Technologists website (www.emfbioeffects.org)

In early 2001 scientists working for the California Health Board reported that pregnant women ran a greater than 50% chance of miscarriage if they were exposed to relatively low but "higher than usual" power frequency magnetic fields. A study in Epidemiology (January 2002) reported a three-fold increase in women who were exposed to 1.6 microtesla or above, especially if the fields were intermittent. This finding remained true even after adjustment for 30 other risk factors, such as drug use, heavy lifting work, previous induced abortions, etc.

This means that pregnant women should avoid travelling on electric trains, where passenger exposure regularly exceeds 1.6 microtesla, and avoid using electric food mixers, microwave ovens, electric hobs, other hand-held electric appliances, and living or working close to electrical installations including overhead power lines. All of these (and more) will cause intermittent exposure to fields over 1.6 microtesla.

A study of 1500 pregnant women using VDU screens more than 20 hours a week found that they were twice as likely to have a miscarriage as those who did not.