Governments and regional bodies are guilty of "culpable ignorance" of the possible health risks posed by mobile telephone masts, according to a group of international scientists and community groups from Ireland and Britain, who urged MPs in London yesterday to sanction more scientific research in the field.
The group, which included representatives from Friends of the Earth Scotland, Northern Ireland Families against Telecommunications Transmitters (NIFATT) and the Irish-based Committee Against Microwave Radiation (CAMR), told a press conference in the House of Commons that governments must adopt a "cautionary principle" towards the erection of masts because there was not enough scientific evidence to rule out health risks.
Ms Collette O'Connell, Irish co-ordinator of CAMR, urged the Government to abandon the proposed Telecommunications (Infrastructure) Bill, claiming if it was passed network operators would be able to erect telecommunications equipment on land without the property owners' consent. A spokesman for the Department of Public Enterprise denied the claim and said the Bill was "under review in significant detail". Ms O'Connell also called for legislation to ensure masts were erected at least 1000 metres from residential areas, including schools and hospitals.
Also addressing the press conference was Prof Gerard Hyland of the University of Warwick, who said there was a growing body of research indicating that even low-level microwave emissions from base stations could cause sleep disorders and general neurological problems. He called on the British government to fund more research into the possible health effects. Prof Henry Lai, associate professor of bio-engineering at the University of Washington, insisted governments must look seriously at the possible long-term health risks associated with the masts.
The Liberal Democrat MP, Mr Phil Willis, also urged caution, saying that despite the British government's intention to set up a cross-party group to investigate the health effects of mobile telephones and base stations, its emphasis was to encourage the development of telecommunications without properly considering public fears. "It is a national issue that must be taken seriously," Mr Willis said.