The attached article from today's Irish Sunday Times gives strong support to the view that the public are not unreasonable in having concerns about mast emissions.

You couldn't get more bang up to date with an official endorsement of public concerns!

Grahame


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-1849413,00.html

The Sunday Times - Ireland

The Sunday Times
October 30, 2005

Freeze on all phone masts near schools

JOHN BURNS

THE Office of Public Works has ordered that no more mobile phone masts be erected near schools until a review of radiation has been carried out by officials. The operators of a transmitter near St Mary's College in Rathmines, Dublin, have been told to switch it off until an inter-departmental committee examining the health effects of electromagnetic radiation has finished its work.

Tom Parlon, the minister in charge of the OPW, announced the measures in a letter last week to Chris Andrews, a Fianna Fail representative who had raised concerns about the transmitter on Ardee House in Rathmines, used by the Central Statistics Office. "Despite the fact that we are absolutely confident this installation complies in all respects with the relevant safety guidelines, the OPW is aware of a continued level of unease over such installations being sited in the vicinity of schools for young children," Parlon said. "Recently the cabinet approved the setting up of (the committee), which is charged with investigating all the scientific data available and, if necessary, (to) issue recommendations for revised guidelines for telecoms installations." Parlon has also told a telecom company not to proceed with a mast on a government building in Sligo. Up to 500 civil servants working there planned to go on strike if three antennae were erected, citing concerns about their own health and that of 37 children in a nearby creche. An OPW official said: "We granted a licence to a telecom operator for the mast but that's now on hold. That and Ardee House are the only ones we've had representations on." The government's move will be welcomed by campaigners who claim that people living close to masts can experience ill-health. They say electrosensitivity, a condition where people suffer headaches, nausea and muscle pains when exposed to electromagnetic fields from masts or pylons, is becoming more common. Andrews said: "I would hope the committee will quickly issue recommendations for revised guidelines. Up to now masts were erected on public buildings without the need to apply for planning permission, provided they were under two metres and notification was sent to the local authority 28 days beforehand. This is crazy, particularly when many experts express caution. "I am happy that the phone companies are being forced to listen to the genuine concerns of the community. Comreg, the communications regulator, monitors only 40% of all sites. This isn't good enough. Residents and school children must be protected." Earlier this year a joint Oireachtas committee recommended that planning exemptions be examined with a view to ensuring that no electromagnetic emissions be allowed near health centres, schools, playgrounds, sports pitches or other sensitive areas. Two weeks ago a protest was mounted outside Cork University Hospital demanding the removal of O2 and Vodafone phone mast equipment attached to the building. Better Environmental and Safer Telecommunications, a campaign group, said it was highly irresponsible for a hospital to facilitate mobile phone operators by allowing antennae on their buildings. There are now over 5,000 dedicated mobile phone sites in the republic and this may double in the next decade. Mobile phone operators say the level of radiation emitted from masts is well below the international guideline. The government earns up to €500,000 a year by allowing transmitters on public buildings.

What are we going to say to Teddy?

from Karen W.
via artjar

Teddyfones marketed at 4-9 year olds are now being avertised for sale. And they're FREE. No hidden costs, just the price of calls.

Do we want Teddyfone to know what we think of this deliberate marketing strategy which will expose very young children's delicate brains to microwaves, despite government recommendations to the contrary?

Order hotline number: 0870 700 3115

They've already had one call.

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Children and mobile phones
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1063256/

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Have a "free" child-phone, complete with attitude. What a world.......

See: http://www.scarlet.nl/scarlet-one/ Disgusting, or what!!!

Approx translation: Skarlet are the simplest and most advantageous ring way and at Internet. Entirely with this breathtaking offer: Internet on double speed plus free child mobile still for only a lousy 39.95 per month! SECONDARY EDUCATION needs no subscription than KPN. You never get a better account than KPN.

Best wishes

Alasdair

Revised translation:

"Yes, I want Scarlet One"

Scarlet is the simplest and cheapest way to phone and surf the Internet.

Completely free with this offer: Internet on double speed plus a free child mobile all for that lousy 36,95 (euro) a month!

With Scarlet One you don't need a subscription to KPN (wired phone
operator). You will never receive another bill from KPN again.

Alasdair

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Sorry to have been out of touch for ages and come back cynical - to me a statement about the precautionary principle will be something which will be a tick box to prevent the operators getting sued - I cant find any more information yet about what it is actually supposed to be

cn

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re teenage cancer
To: NancyEWatts@aol.com, daih@dstec.co.uk, p.h.johnson@staffs.ac.uk, liz.silver@bbc.co.uk

Not very bright these doctors, in ten years it will be an epidemic, possibly not many teenagers left.

Phil Watts

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Teens 'forgotten tribe' of cancer

NICE has called for more age specific cancer facilities

Teenagers are the "forgotten tribe" of cancer victims and more research is needed to stop them dying, the UK's first Professor of Teenage Cancer says.

Tim Eden - from Manchester's Christie hospital - was appointed on Thursday.

He called for more studies into a 50% increase in incidence of the disease in young people since 1975. Six teenagers a day are now diagnosed with cancer.

Professor Eden said there were too few trials on teenagers, and their survival rates had improved less than others. Better health education for young people and health professionals about the physical warning signs of cancer was also needed, he said. Cancer 'voice' Some 2,200 adolescents die of cancer every year in the UK. The Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), which sets up specialist care units around the country, appointed Professor Eden.

We know it will result in a better quality of life for many thousands of teenagers

Myrna Whitestone Teenage Cancer Trust

It has invested ?2.5m over 10 years to fund his team. It said the team would act as a voice on teenage cancer issues and increase research, international collaboration and clinical trial opportunities. TCT chairwoman Myrna Whiteson said: "The appointment of a TCT teenage and young adult cancer chair highlights the growing importance of this field of medicine. "It provides a focus to extend the parameters of knowledge within the field, and will hopefully lead to improved outcomes. "We know it will result in a better quality of life for many thousands of teenagers." 'Age appropriate' In August, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said cancer services for children and young people had to be reformed. The NHS advisory body issued guidance to standardise cancer treatment for young people in England and Wales. Among its recommendations, it called for "age-appropriate facilities, provided as locally as possible". Professor Eden will be based at the University of Manchester, Christie Hospital and Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust. He has worked in Christie Hospital's 13-bed Teenage Cancer Trust Unit since its founding in 1998.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4366606.stm

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Would it be a good idea if someone contacted the CTC and TIm Eden to raise the raditaion issue?

thanks sarah

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Aren't they free? Good publicity stunt though. Gary we could all buy one and then cerimonially bin them !

cn

This report sets out very clearly why landowners should not enter into mast wayleave agreements lightly, thinking it will be easy to get out of one of these. Landowners should also consider the possibility of unpleasant backlashes due to mounting adverse health research results and the degrading/blight of other people's property.

Best wishes

Jane

Check out the following link:
http://tinyurl.com/alg6c

FYI - This article appeared in the Andover Advertiser on 21 October. Local campaigners might like to quote this to their councils and get them to do the same!

Jenny

PLEA OVER MOBILE PHONE MAST SITES

Two long serving members of Kennet District Council are calling on the Government to take more note of community health concerns over mobile telephone masts.

Council leader Chris Humphries and Ludgershall councillor Ken Beard have submitted a notice of motion to the council calling on the Government to end the 'apparent presumption in favour of the erection of masts and base stations in areas of high population density.'

The motion adds that concerns are particularlarly acute when the masts are erected near to schools, homes and health care facilities.
The erection of a mobile mast for the police has been a particular matter of concern to some on the southern side of Ludgershall and a group of people got together to fight the erection of a mast for the 'airwave' system.

Councillors Beard and Humphries want district council officers to prepare a policy in local development documents to resist the erection of masts and base operations near homes, hospital and schools.

Ends

-----Original Message-----
From: Russell Hunter russell2712@hotmail.com
Sent: 21 October 2005 12:56
To: eileen@smokestack.ltd.uk
Subject: Documentary Film

Hello my name's Russell Hunter and I'm currently undertaking the pre production stages of making a documentary film for my final third year degree project at University College for the Creative Arts at Farnham about mobile phones.

In the film I intend to show confecting sides to the mobile phone, one being the glossy sexy advertised image of the mobile looking into the mobile phone as a symbol of culture and fashion and the continuing development and creation of new mobiles. Taking the opinions of the people from the streets on how they see the present and future of mobile phones. I will then try to cross reference this with reports and studies into Mobile Phone Masts and the dangers that they may cause. Along with looking into the rise in users to a point where in 2007 studies have concluded that 99% of the population of the UK will own a mobile phone and how many masts will have to be erected to deal with the rise. I plan to also investigate the TETRA system that is being implemented into the police force and how this is affecting both the workforce themselves and also the radioactivity of the masts.

If you could help me at all with any contacts or anybody that would be able to talk on or off camera about any of the subjects that would be a great help to me as I would like to create a balanced and unbiased film.


Thanks if you can help at all

Russell Hunter

by Jolene Hill
This is Local London

PHONE masts could be hidden in more than 100 of the borough's lampposts if mobile phone company plans are approved.

Various firms have approached Bromley Council offering financial deals for the new masts, which could see the borough scooping £50,000.

The proposed 10m-tall lampposts, which have already been installed by 20 other councils including Westminster, will feature tiny phone masts and advertising hoardings.

The tiny masts will only be visible thanks to a small aerial from the outside and under Government rules will not require planning permission, meaning firms can put them up wherever they wish.

Fearful residents fighting the controversial spread of masts throughout the borough have condemned the plans.

Orpington Residents Against Masts (ORAM) member Susan Green said: "This could be right outside your child's bedroom and you wouldn't know.

"We won't discover problems until way down the line when the damage has been done."

The council says it is obliged to consider plans because there is no existing policy to cover the proposals and says nothing has been decided yet.

Portfolio holder Councillor George Taylor will make a decision on the plans tomorrow.

The environment policy development and scrutiny committee has recommended he reject the mast proposals.

Cllr Taylor would not be drawn on what his decision will be but said: "This is the first opportunity for the council to decide on this matter.

"But my personal views are clear given my history of opposing every mast in my ward."

He added: "I also supported the council's motion calling on the Government to allow us to take health risks into account when granting planning permission for masts."

ORAM member James Malone says the council has already let residents down by granting planning permission for many masts already in the borough.

He said: "We have tried to go through the democratic process and we would have reached the same point if we had done nothing at all."

A Bromley Council spokesman says the portfolio holder, rather than a committee, is responsible for taking decisions affecting the street scene because of Government changes.

The spokesman said applications are considered in line with local and national policies and the portfolio holder's decision can be challenged by other councillors.

9:53am Wednesday 19th October 2005

Aberystwyth Today
19.10.05

MOBILE phones company Hutchison 3G is resisting increasing pressure to dismantle an unauthorised base-station close to three schools and an Aberystwyth housing estate. A week after county councillors delighted worried teachers and residents by refusing retrospective planning permission for the Parc-y-llyn mast the tower remains in place in the yard of agricultural suppliers Country Stores. Despite new evidence that base-station radiation can seriously damage health the company continued to insist there was no risk and said the mast would stay while they decided whether to appeal against the council’s decision. In a move likely to worsen antagonism over the development, Hutchison refused to reveal the line of the base-station’s beam of greatest radiation intensity, but denied it fell on any of the area’s schools. Spokesman Mike Dobson told the Cambrian News: “We don’t want to say where it falls, we don’t see that it’s relevant. “It has never been actually defined or clarified in terms of meaning.” According to a government report, the beam’s greatest intensity is likely to fall to the ground at between 50 metres and 200 metres from the base of a mast, which would encompass homes and shops at Parc-y-llyn. Hutchison say “all areas of public access” near the base-station - which has yet to be switched on - would be well below international radiation guidelines.

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

Residents who witnessed the planning committee’s refusal of planning permission were jubilant. One, Ifor Jones, of 2 Clos Deiniol, said: “It’s brilliant. “I’m really pleased that it’s gone our way. “I didn’t think the decision would be so decisive.” Paul James, the Llanbadarn Fawr Plaid Cymru councillor who has led opposition, told the committee: “These telecoms companies find that site-sharing is expensive - that’s why they have put it in the Country Stores yard. “This is a victory for the residents of the area.” A second Plaid councillor, Alun Williams, of Aberystwyth, said: “The abuse of the consultation process, or playing fast and loose on the consultation process, is what these companies do. “To approve this would set a precedent for other gangs of men to turn up and erect a mast wherever they want. “We’ve had a great many applications for masts. “This committee has struggled to find ways to turn them down. “I propose that we turn down this application on the basis that they should be site-sharing.”

Redditch advertiser 19.10.05

TOWN councillors have agreed to join the fight against four more mobile phone masts at Oversley Green.

At a recent planning meeting, councillors discussed the application to add four 12-metre masts to the current three already in place at Lower Oversley Lodge Farm.

Nina Knapman said she was concerned over health and safety effects of the masts, and also the visual impact they would have on the site. Councillors recommended refusal as they did not know enough about the effects of the masts.

Tivy-Side news 19.10.05

A hard-hitting message has gone out to mobile 'phone companies - don't put your masts up in Ceredigion without planning permission.

County planners last week threw out a scheme for a temporary mobile mast at Parcyllyn, Aberystwyth.

The mast had been erected without permission four months ago and sparked massive local protests. "These companies come into Ceredigion and erect these things without consulting the local community," Beulah member Lyndon Lloyd told fellow planners.

"We need to refuse more and a strong message should go out from this committee saying no more of this. "I've heard of a local woman who went to bed one night and when she pulled her curtains back in the morning a mast had been erected while she slept."

And he added: "If we agree to this we will have even more masts coming here." He was backed by Cabinet member Cllr Ray Quant. "There comes a time when we have to hold our hands up and say we can't allow people to come and put masts up," he said.

And Cllr Alan Williams was even more blunt.

"This is an abuse. They are playing fast and loose with the consultation process. It would be better for all the people in Ceredigion who are concerned about these masts if we turned this one down.

And Cllr Lloyd concluded: "We are putting a clamp on these masts from today and I hope that message goes out."

by Jenny Clarke
Epping Forest guardian

RESIDENTS said no to plans for a mobile phone mast in their road and Waltham Forest Council listened.

The authority turned down an application from T Mobile to put a ten-metre- high mast in North Countess Road, Walthamstow.

A petition against the scheme was signed by 125 people.

Three residents spoke against the proposal at last week's planning meeting.

Dr Kathy Haslam said: "The mast's beam of greatest intensity is directed towards the nearby houses and that is very worrying.Sensitive buildings such as schools and hospitals are not recommended to be within 100 metres of the base station and this would be a fraction of that distance."

The other residents said the mast would be out of keeping with the street scene.

Several applications for masts have been turned down by the council in the last year.

Cllr Terry Wheeler said he was concerned that T Mobile might lodge an appeal against the decision and have it approved by a Government planning inspector. "Most of us in this room have mobile phones and I would assume that many of the residents near the proposed site have mobile phones," he said.

"T Mobile did look into placing the mast elsewhere but it only has a small coverage area and this was its best option."

"If you were going to have mobile phones, you were going to need masts," he added.

The committee objected by a majority on the grounds that the mast would add to clutter and affect the amenity of the area.