February 28, 2001

HONG KONG (AP) - Amid worries about the safety of mobile telephones, four scientists in Hong Kong said Wednesday they have developed a new protective device that can absorb up to 70 percent of the radiation emitted by handsets.

The microscopic film, made of a composite material, can absorb between 50 percent and 70 percent of the radiation, depending on the type of phone being used, according to tests performed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

``It is easy to produce, and cheap,'' said Assistant Professor Wen Weijia, the principal investigator of the study. ``It poses minimal interference to communication and helps to protect the human brain.''

While past studies have linked mobile phones to dizziness, nasal bleeding, vomiting, brain tumors and cancers, no definite conclusions have been drawn.

Any health risks would be of concern to Hong Kong, where people are among the world's most prolific users of mobile phones.

Another of the scientists, Ge Weikun, said radiation is stronger for the person making a phone call than it is for the recipient.

The films can be produced for 10 Hong Kong dollars (U.S. dlrs 1.28) each, and the university is in talks with potential business partners, but has yet to strike a deal for marketing the invention.

Hong Kong's 6.9 million people have more than 5.2 million mobile phones - about three phones for every four people - making this one of the most densely cellular places on the planet.