The trousers, with a lining which the makers say shields
against radiation, are designed by Dockers, a brand name of
Levi Strauss -- famous for its classic "501" jeans.
Retailers were currently viewing the new line, called Icon
S-Fit, with an eye to sales from next spring, a Levi's
spokesman said.
"We're not implying in any way that mobile phones are
dangerous," Levi's European communications manager Cedric
Jungpeter told Reuters.
"Our intention is not to cash in on consumer fears but
provide the consumers with what they want," he said from Levi's
European headquarters in Brussels.
The finished design was the fruit of extensive market
research showing that the fashion conscious were also health
conscious, Jungpeter said.
"The debate is open. Although no study has proved mobile
phones are harmful, no study has proved the contrary either,"
he added.
Officials from Dockers, which announced the launch of its
new line in July, were not immediately available for comment.
Worldwide studies into the possible dangers of mobile
phones produce often conflicting conclusions.
A recent one carried out by Australian researchers over a
three-year period showed that radio emissions from mobile
phones did not trigger the growth of tumors in mice, and
therefore probably did not do so in humans either.
That research followed another Australian study on mice
five years ago that concluded cellular phones could foster
tumor growth.
Swedish research published in August concluded that
long-term users of first generation mobile phones faced an up
to 80 percent greater risk of developing brain tumors than
non-users and the World Health Organization (
news -
web sites) said last year more
research was needed.
But a Danish study last year of 400,000 mobile phone users
showed no increased cancer risk.
-
Sign In
My Yahoo!
