WE DON'T NEED MORE MASTS, RADIATION EXPERT TELLS CAMPAIGNERS
Bath Chronicle
BY LAURA MATLESS
11:00 - 13 January 2006
Worried campaigners packed into a public meeting to hear about some of the possible health effects from mobile phone masts. Residents living near St Mary's Church in Bathwick are concerned about potential radiation from a mast that could be erected on top of the church tower.
Around 90 people attended the meeting on Wednesday night to hear Professor Alan Preece, from Bristol University, who has carried out research in electromagnetic radiation and cancer, and John O'Brien, who campaigns nationally against masts.
Planning permission has already been granted for the mast, which would be disguised as a flagpole.
Church leaders have given their support to the idea, which it is believed could generate thousands of pounds in rent every year.
Under current Government guidelines, councils are not allowed to turn down mobile phone mast applications on health grounds.
But Prof Preece said: "I think we should be cautious because the evidence is not there either way.
"I think we have got enough masts already.
"Why we need 3G, so people can download things from the internet on to their phones, I don't know."
He said that the idea of masts made people concerned, and that some of the symptoms people reported after antennae were erected could be down to their worries.
"If people have the perception that there's a problem, then there's anxiety, which has a stress effect," he said.
Mr O'Brien, whose campaign focuses on Tetra, the police communications system told the meeting that the possible health effects of the masts were not brought on by people's worries.
"When the mobile people say there is no evidence to link mobile phone radiation and harm, they are wrong," he said.
"Everybody is doing everything they can to deny people that information."
Under plans outlined by Vodafone, the mast would be disguised as a six-inch wide flagpole, projecting more than 30ft above the tower of the Grade II listed church.
Mark Macdonald, who is leading the Bathwick campaign, said in a letter to residents: "Read any of the studies carried out, and you may find yourself extremely anxious about what this mast's electromagnetic radiation beam may mean to you and your family's health."
BY LAURA MATLESS
11:00 - 13 January 2006
Worried campaigners packed into a public meeting to hear about some of the possible health effects from mobile phone masts. Residents living near St Mary's Church in Bathwick are concerned about potential radiation from a mast that could be erected on top of the church tower.
Around 90 people attended the meeting on Wednesday night to hear Professor Alan Preece, from Bristol University, who has carried out research in electromagnetic radiation and cancer, and John O'Brien, who campaigns nationally against masts.
Planning permission has already been granted for the mast, which would be disguised as a flagpole.
Church leaders have given their support to the idea, which it is believed could generate thousands of pounds in rent every year.
Under current Government guidelines, councils are not allowed to turn down mobile phone mast applications on health grounds.
But Prof Preece said: "I think we should be cautious because the evidence is not there either way.
"I think we have got enough masts already.
"Why we need 3G, so people can download things from the internet on to their phones, I don't know."
He said that the idea of masts made people concerned, and that some of the symptoms people reported after antennae were erected could be down to their worries.
"If people have the perception that there's a problem, then there's anxiety, which has a stress effect," he said.
Mr O'Brien, whose campaign focuses on Tetra, the police communications system told the meeting that the possible health effects of the masts were not brought on by people's worries.
"When the mobile people say there is no evidence to link mobile phone radiation and harm, they are wrong," he said.
"Everybody is doing everything they can to deny people that information."
Under plans outlined by Vodafone, the mast would be disguised as a six-inch wide flagpole, projecting more than 30ft above the tower of the Grade II listed church.
Mark Macdonald, who is leading the Bathwick campaign, said in a letter to residents: "Read any of the studies carried out, and you may find yourself extremely anxious about what this mast's electromagnetic radiation beam may mean to you and your family's health."
Starmail - 13. Jan, 17:26
