Nigeria is reassuring the public that cell phones pose no verifiable health threat as cheap and second-hand units gain popularity.

The Nigerian Communications Commission said this week that it is monitoring international research into possible dangers but has thus far seen nothing that warrants restrictions on their use.

At the same time, however, the NCC has stepped up testing of imported cell phones.

The Vanguard reported that increasing wireless capacity in Nigeria has prompted a flood of used and cheaply made phones into the African nation.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International