Lives are at risk (From Stroud News and Journal)

Lives are at risk

ANTI-TETRA mast campaigner Lynne Edmunds has condemned a Government report which insists that communication masts fall within safety limits.

"I don't regard this finding as any comfort whatsoever ever," said Ms Edmunds,who is national TETRA co-ordinator for pressure group Mast Action UK.

Government appointed scientists last week measured emissions of radiation at around 100 masts and discovered readings thousands of times lower than the recommended safety limits.

Head of communications at Airwave 02 Mark Ede welcomed the findings. "This confirms what we always thought and confirms their are no concerns in that respect," he said.

The report did not, however, satisfy campaigners convinced that the country's 26,000 masts are linked to health problems which includes the tetra mast on top of Stroud police station next to Stroud Valley school.

"I have little confidence in this Government report," said Ms Edmunds.

" Operators are given notice before the tests are given and could turn down the levels of emission for this.

"When the Government talks about emissions within the regulations limit they only cover one effect of radiation - the heating effect on human tissue. There are many more effects not taken into account. Mast Sanity, which lobbies against masts, claimed the guidelines are out of date.

"We think they are trying to cover things up," said spokesmen for Mast Sanity Lisa Oldham. " People's lives are being ruined by this."

Mark Ede of Airwaves denied that operators turn down the level of emissions.

"We operate within Government guidlines," he said. "It is possible to turn it down but we have no reason to do that."

Tetra in Stroud is set to go live in June but Ms Edmunds has warned that strong opposition will be mounted against the anticipated switch on.

The number of mast sites are growing and are due to hit 40,000 by 2007 which is due primarily to a huge rise in the use of mobiles.

Britain's five mobile operators striving to meet demand have been striking deals to place masts in steeples, chimneys, lamp post's, flagpoles and football stadium floodlights.

Mast Sanity is holding a demonstration against TETRA in London on Saturday, March 8.