LONDON (AP) - Mobile phone users can limit their exposure to potentially dangerous radiation from the devices by using "handsfree" attachments, the British government reported on Tuesday.

A study by the government's department of trade and industry found "substantial reductions" in radiation exposure when testers did not hold the cell phone directly to their ears. A handsfree attachment is a lightweight headset made up of an earpiece and mouthpiece that are attached by a wire to the mobile phone.

A British consumers' group, however, questioned the report's conclusions and methodology. A study by the Consumers' Association earlier this year found the headsets may actually channel three times as much radiation into users' heads.

As yet, there's been no medical evidence suggesting that radiation from mobile phones might cause cancer or other health problems. But at the same time, there's no definitive proof that cell phone radiation is harmless.

The government study, conducted by independent consultant SARtest Ltd., found radiation readings dropped "significantly" when consumers used a headset. Tests were conducted on five types of phones with an internal or external antenna.

The country's telecommunications minister Patricia Hewitt said the government report offered "clear and unambiguous advise" that headsets "offer substantial reductions in exposure compared with the normal use of a mobile phone."

Britain's Consumers' Association has commissioned further research and said findings would be published in October to clear up the confusion.

"We stand by our original test results into handsfree sets published earlier this year. Consumers need to be aware that handsfree kits are no guarantee of lowering radiation emissions from mobile phones, and in some cases, they actually increase it," said Helen Parker, editor of the Consumers' Association magazine.

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