British doctors have warned that text messaging could damage people's kidneys.

The British Medical Association (BMA) today raised concerns that radio waves from phones could affect internal organs, especially in children.

Concerns about speaking into mobile phone handsets have been well documented - the possibility of microwave radiation frying into the brain etc. But the BMA believes that holding phones in front of the body to send text messages may also be dangerous.

"Since the handset is normally held near to waist level for this activity, research is necessary into whether mobile phone radiation may affect different parts of the body in different ways, and hence whether there are additional possible health risks associated with text messaging," the report says.

A total of 900 million text messages were sent in the UK in January, with children particularly keen texters, according to the BMA.

The report went on to warn drivers not to talk on mobiles while driving - it also claimed that using a hands-free kit was just as dangerous as using a normal handset.

The BMA said a "precautionary approach" should be taken to using mobiles until there was a greater understanding of any health risks.

It recommended users limit calls, particularly those made to or by children, and switch off handsets when they were not in use. ®

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