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WANTS INVESTIGATION INTO PHONE MAST SAFETY |
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DAVID
JOHNSON
15:00 - 08 November 2006 |
An In-depth investigation is being demanded
into claims an 82-foot mobile phone mast is responsible for a
series of deaths and illnesses.Campaigners have mapped 27
deaths and illnesses within 820 feet of the antenna in
Shooters Hill, near Meir, and are calling for it to be
removed.
Now Stoke-on-Trent South
MP Rob Flello wants research to see if residents' fears are
justified.
Mr Flello said: "What I want is a scientific
body undertaking a survey to see if the experiences of these
people is a statistical anomaly or whether there is actually a
problem.
"I want a proper scientific study of the
health issues in the area, compared with a similar area
without a mast.
"Secondly I would like proper research
on the medical impact of being exposed to certain radio
frequencies."
Protesters believe there is a cluster of
brain haemorrhages, tumours and cancers around the antenna,
which collects and distributes signals from other masts in the
area.
They have also logged numerous cases of irregular
heartbeats, strokes, high blood pressure, epilepsy and severe
headaches, since the Orange-owned equipment was put up in
1993.
Mr Flello has spoken to GPs in the area, who say
they have not noticed unusual numbers of such
complaints.
He has also asked for detailed health
statistics for the neighbourhood from the Primary Care Trust
and the Office for National Statistics, only to be told the
figures are not available.
Mr Flello added: "I wouldn't
want to wish what these residents are going through on anyone,
and I wouldn't want to live next to a mast.
"I use a
mobile phone, but that is my choice.
"People who buy a
house and then a mast is put up have no
choice."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council commissioned a
survey of the area last year, and found the antenna was
operating within national guidelines.
A council
spokesman said: "We commissioned expert tests which were
designed to find anything measurable that would have a
negative effect on human health.
"All the results came
back as being well within the safe guidelines.
"We are
not aware of any addition to the body of knowledge in this
area which would indicate more tests would give any worthwhile
information.
"We will continue to look at any
information put forward by residents, and co-operate with the
health services to explore whether there are any ways forward
in the future."
But opponents say the council report
only looked at the possible heating effects of the microwaves,
not their potential to cause biological problems, especially
in the brain.
Dr Gerald Hyland, from the University of
Warwick and the International Institute of Biophysics, in
Germany, examined the group's research.
Dr Hyland said
it revealed "quite a strong correlation" between health
problems and where the beams of microwaves are
strongest.
He says the evidence that mobile phone
microwaves affect humans is "established beyond
dispute".
Digital mobile phone radiation operates at a
similar frequency to electrical activities in the body -
particularly the brain - and Dr Hyland believes this could
cause sleeplessness, headaches and more serious
illnesses.
Protester Jean Hopkins, who lives on
Cherrywood Grove, within a few hundred feet of the mast, said:
"The council has taken the safe option of sticking strictly to
the guidelines, and they have just covered themselves. The
authorities can come out with all the statements about meeting
the guidelines, but that's not good enough. There is too much
evidence mounting up around these sites.
"I am
absolutely certain there is a cluster of cancers and other
problems around here.
"None of the so-called experts
can say the mast doesn't cause these ill-effects.
"Over
the last 10 years, we have seen a dramatic rise in illnesses
in this area."
But Orange has denied the
claims.
Sue Hammett, community liaison officer for the
company, said: "The latest fact sheet from the World Health
Organisation said there were no adverse long-term or
short-term health effects from this low-level radiofrequency
and that came out in May. We appreciate this is a sensitive
issue, but we believe our mobile phone stations are
safe.
"The guidelines are laid down by central
government, and they take their line from a number of
independent bodies across the world.
"I can perfectly
understand people's perception of risk and I sympathise with
residents, but in our opinion these health issues are in no
way due to the mobile phone mast.
"While science
continues its research, we believe our phone stations are
safe."
Do you think you have illnesses caused by phone
masts?
To read other stories The Sentinel has featured
about phone masts, visit: http://www.thisisthesentinel/phonemasts.
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