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ARGUS COMMENT...Mobile phone mast
12:53pm Wednesday 4th April 2007
Comments (21)IT is obviousfrom the postings on this website www.southwalesargus. co.uk that theattempt to raisea mobile phone mast in Caerleon has set off a major controversy.
Yesterday and today angry residents took to the streets in Caerleon to stop work to erect the mast. The company O2 has now sought legal advice about its position and there is a stand-off in which police have said they will not take action as long as there is no civil disorder.
Most residents are apparentlyappalled that a technicalityhas allowed the mast to be put up, despite the company having been refused planning permission last year.
It would appear that an oversight by someone within Newport council has allowed O2 to exploit a loophole which means they are legally entitled to raise the mast, despite the opposition of residents and councillors.
Such anoversight by council officers (we assume) seems incredible and we are not surprised that residents are furious.
We wish the residents well in their battle but they appear to have had the rug pulled from under them by the council's non-adherence to correct procedure.
Your Say YourSouth Wales Argus
J Elliott, Caerleon says...
1:53pm Wed 4 Apr 07
Last year the Welsh assembly voted 49-0 in favour of making mobile phone masts subject to full planning permission. (This was subsequently quashed by a government minister). At that meeting the Welsh Assembly were addressed by an independent expert scientist called Barry Trower. He opened his address thus:
A few years ago, at a meeting in Birmingham, I said I believe that this Industry, this Government and its (then) scientists, would be responsible for more civilian deaths in peace-time than all of the terrorist organizations in the World, put together. I still believe this to be true please listen to my evidence. From 1993, in America for six years, the Communications Industry employed 200 research doctors at a cost of $28.5 million to study the safety of their microwave systems. (1) The studies showed increased tumours, genetic damage, a greater risk to children, damage to the blood-brain barrier; in all, 15 epidemiological studies were carried out. The research scientist leading these studies has predicted 30,000-50,000 cancers worldwide this year alone - of just one type of cancer. Please remember, this is the Industrys own research. These results were suppressed.
As the ill health and cancer clusters around phone masts increase at an ever alarming rate, when will the media stop sitting on the fence on this issue and investigate this appalling cover up by the government and phone operators of the health risks associated with this technology.
A few years ago, at a meeting in Birmingham, I said I believe that this Industry, this Government and its (then) scientists, would be responsible for more civilian deaths in peace-time than all of the terrorist organizations in the World, put together. I still believe this to be true please listen to my evidence. From 1993, in America for six years, the Communications Industry employed 200 research doctors at a cost of $28.5 million to study the safety of their microwave systems. (1) The studies showed increased tumours, genetic damage, a greater risk to children, damage to the blood-brain barrier; in all, 15 epidemiological studies were carried out. The research scientist leading these studies has predicted 30,000-50,000 cancers worldwide this year alone - of just one type of cancer. Please remember, this is the Industrys own research. These results were suppressed.
As the ill health and cancer clusters around phone masts increase at an ever alarming rate, when will the media stop sitting on the fence on this issue and investigate this appalling cover up by the government and phone operators of the health risks associated with this technology.
Steve, says...
1:55pm Wed 4 Apr 07
To be fair, I hope the protesters give up and O2 get to build their mast. Want to know why?
OK - there is the issue of health concerns. That is pretty irrelevant now.
There is the issue of Newport Council bungling the planning process - agin, pretty irrelevant now.
The issue now, as I see it, is that a small group of people can block any development with impunity, and the police will "not take action as long as there is no civil disorder". This means that anytime ANY development work is about to start, any old bunch of local crackpots can pile in and stop it. O2 are now legally entitled to raise this mast - yet mob rule is stopping them.
Basically, in my view, that stinks. Is mob mentality allowed to prevail? That is now the issue here.
OK - there is the issue of health concerns. That is pretty irrelevant now.
There is the issue of Newport Council bungling the planning process - agin, pretty irrelevant now.
The issue now, as I see it, is that a small group of people can block any development with impunity, and the police will "not take action as long as there is no civil disorder". This means that anytime ANY development work is about to start, any old bunch of local crackpots can pile in and stop it. O2 are now legally entitled to raise this mast - yet mob rule is stopping them.
Basically, in my view, that stinks. Is mob mentality allowed to prevail? That is now the issue here.
F.F., says...
2:20pm Wed 4 Apr 07
No, Steve, the issue here is whether companies are now so powerful that they can stamp all over the wishes of the people and their democratically elected representatives because of a happy (for them) administrative blunder. It's an issue of whether we get a say in the events that affect our lives, or if we're perpetual victims that have to shrug and accept our lot. The rule of law is great as long as it serves the interests of the people, but we should not feel powerless to stand up for natural, instinctive justice.
Power to the local crackpots! ;)
Power to the local crackpots! ;)
jilted john, some where over the rainbowe says...
2:28pm Wed 4 Apr 07
well said ff . so much so i cant add anything
Friend, 157-135 says...
2:41pm Wed 4 Apr 07
Like someone said yesterday, I bet most of these people have mobile phones, but how do you expect to use them without a mast? I live near the site and am all for it being erected as mobile signals in Caerleon are awful. In addition for all evidence that is out there sayinf that masts cause cancer, there are just as many out there that say they dont. A lot of the papers people re quoting are also not from reputables sources or reputable journals - i am a scientist so know which journals publih decent research and which publish a pile of nonsense. Get a grip everyone, it is unlikely to do you any harm if even the scientists cant decide.
mike, cwmbran says...
2:57pm Wed 4 Apr 07
I agree with Steve,what if the next planned venture in this area,albeit A mast or anything else people see the need to protest against?Will it always be decided by an angry mob what stays and what doesn´t?Sure have your say at an orderly meeting but to block roads with banners and the like is completely ridiculous!And to the people defending these yobs(which if they were 20 years younger and protesting against something they felt was wrong is how they would be labled!)can you call them on their mobiles to see if they can get A signal(and A grip!)
F.F., says...
3:27pm Wed 4 Apr 07
These people aren't yobs. I quote the previous Argus article :"Alway police sergeant David Morgan said: "The protestors are acting peacefully and their actions are not blocking the highway." They also had their say at an orderly meeting, which is where and why planning permission was refused. If anything, O2 are acting like stereotypical yobs with their "It's going up and you can't do anything about it" attitude.
As for the health issue - perhaps there are no risks from radiation. Perhaps the biggest risk this mast poses is that it might land on the head of a wayward witch as the result of a freak tornado. The fact remains that the residents don't wish to take that risk - and why should anyone have the power to force them to?
As for the health issue - perhaps there are no risks from radiation. Perhaps the biggest risk this mast poses is that it might land on the head of a wayward witch as the result of a freak tornado. The fact remains that the residents don't wish to take that risk - and why should anyone have the power to force them to?
monkey, up a tree says...
3:44pm Wed 4 Apr 07
Sorry f.f.but I´m with mike,can you remember the Newbury by-pass protesters?"Swampy"was made out to be some kind of an outlaw for peacefully protesting what he thought was wrong and surrounded by A whirlwind media frenzy(which this story certainly will not generate!)was arrested,so I put it to you that these are yobs but under A guise of "worried residents!"
Ken, Torfaen says...
3:56pm Wed 4 Apr 07
Torfaen planning committee turned down a mast for O2 at Upper Cwmbran mainly on concerns about health, proximity to a school, etc.. This was against planning official advice since it is clearly stated that as long as the applicant complies with government mast emission standard (ICNIRPS) health grounds cannot be considered in an application. O2 appealed and the WAG inspector upheld the appeal and awarded costs to the company. It cost the council tax payers of Torfaen around £100,000! The only way to have a chance of stopping masts is by government legislattion and they are satisfied that the present guide lines are safe. Best of luck Caerleon!
J Elliott, Caerleon says...
4:37pm Wed 4 Apr 07
1. The only research alleging phone mast safety is that funded by the phone operators. There are over 1000 independant research papers proving the harmful effects of phone mast radiation.
2. If you have a mobile phone that is your choice. You have no choice if some multi billion pound phone company plants a mast bombarding you with radiation outside your house.
3.Children are most at risk from mast radiation as they absorb up to 50% more radiation than adults. Do babies and children own mobile phones? No. What rights do they have. Ask yourself why childhood leukemia rates are beginning to rocket. Take those blinkers off and look at the Radiation Research Trust, Powerwatch and Mast Sanity websites and you may learn the truth.
2. If you have a mobile phone that is your choice. You have no choice if some multi billion pound phone company plants a mast bombarding you with radiation outside your house.
3.Children are most at risk from mast radiation as they absorb up to 50% more radiation than adults. Do babies and children own mobile phones? No. What rights do they have. Ask yourself why childhood leukemia rates are beginning to rocket. Take those blinkers off and look at the Radiation Research Trust, Powerwatch and Mast Sanity websites and you may learn the truth.
Simon Densley, London says...
5:12pm Wed 4 Apr 07
Dr George Carlo, who ran the US cell phone industry's health research program during the 1990's came and spoke at Westminster on Thursday the 22nd of February 2007 to a packed Attlee room. Dr Carlo explained to the 200 or so audience members exactly how the low frequency information carrying modulation component of the microwave radiation is sensed by proteins in cell membranes which cause a defensive reaction in the cell. This reaction hardens the cell membrane and leads to a build up of toxic chemicals inside the cell which eventually attack the chemistry of the cell and cause a host of problems including double strand DNA damage, a direct cause of cancer. Out of 659 MPs only 1 was in the audience. MPs face three choices with this issue. Either acknowledge these findings and do something about it that will get them voted out by people who love their technology too much, acknowledge the findings and do nothing, in which case they will be held accountable then it all hits the fan, or ignore the issue and pretend they didn't know about it. That is what we are seeing at the moment. I fear we are therefore facing a self induced cover up of the very highest order brought on by the sort of corruption that allowed this situation to exist in the first place. And it is people like us who will suffer in order to save the skins of those in power.
friend, says...
8:30pm Wed 4 Apr 07
I am sorry J Elliot but you have no idea what you are talking about and clearly have no scientific ability to reason - you are only quoting papers that are against the use of mobile phones. I can guarntee that the majority of those protesting will have a mobile phone - including the children in this day of age - why dont you do a survey for us and let us know the stats. You can not use mobiles without transmitters! Here are some links to evidence against linking mobile phone usage to cancer.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17148772&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16912083&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16894556&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum
A common problem in science is trying to determine that just because 2 things rise together (e.g., phone usage an cancer) doesnt mean that one is causative of the other. You need much more proof than that. Unfortunately Mr Elliott this no strong evidence. In addition I think that Dr Carlo's research is a theory and not proved - evidence please.
My main concern is that these people are only protesting, because they dont want an eye sore by there houses.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17148772&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16912083&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16894556&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum
A common problem in science is trying to determine that just because 2 things rise together (e.g., phone usage an cancer) doesnt mean that one is causative of the other. You need much more proof than that. Unfortunately Mr Elliott this no strong evidence. In addition I think that Dr Carlo's research is a theory and not proved - evidence please.
My main concern is that these people are only protesting, because they dont want an eye sore by there houses.
Andrea Klein, London says...
11:07pm Wed 4 Apr 07
To Friend:
You are quoting three pieces of research, all only dealing with potential links between mobile use and certain types of brain tumours. Two of these studies follow the Interphone protocol, which is flawed, since it does not take into account whether or not the non exposed control group is using a cordless phone (DECT), thus introducing a massive confounding factor. The interphone programme is also 50% sponsored by the mobile industry and hence much more likely to set the parameters of the research in such a way that no causality will be found. We have known the corruption of science for decades with regard to Tobacco. The mobile industry and compliant governments are employing the same techniques as the tobacco industry, consisting of 1. Suppression of unwanted results or reviews, 2. Dilution of results showing damage by producing more research designed to find contradictory results, 3. Diversion by producing confounder issues, i.e. blaming illnesses associated with high frequency exposure on other causes (such as cancer due to obesity), 4. Deception by using paid scientists as Trojan Horses to gain access to policy making authorities and 5.Manipulation by simply changing findings to make them more industry compatible. Plenty of examples of all five techniques can be found on the web.
What we need to look at when it comes to masts, are epidemiological studies looking at the passive exposure (just like passive smoking) to high frequency radiaiton. A very important study on the effect of phone masts on cancer incidence was done by three GPs in the German city of Naila, finding three times more cancer within 400m of a mast. Read the full study here http://www.tetrawatch.net/papers/naila.pdf
Find more independent science at http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/papers.php
You are quoting three pieces of research, all only dealing with potential links between mobile use and certain types of brain tumours. Two of these studies follow the Interphone protocol, which is flawed, since it does not take into account whether or not the non exposed control group is using a cordless phone (DECT), thus introducing a massive confounding factor. The interphone programme is also 50% sponsored by the mobile industry and hence much more likely to set the parameters of the research in such a way that no causality will be found. We have known the corruption of science for decades with regard to Tobacco. The mobile industry and compliant governments are employing the same techniques as the tobacco industry, consisting of 1. Suppression of unwanted results or reviews, 2. Dilution of results showing damage by producing more research designed to find contradictory results, 3. Diversion by producing confounder issues, i.e. blaming illnesses associated with high frequency exposure on other causes (such as cancer due to obesity), 4. Deception by using paid scientists as Trojan Horses to gain access to policy making authorities and 5.Manipulation by simply changing findings to make them more industry compatible. Plenty of examples of all five techniques can be found on the web.
What we need to look at when it comes to masts, are epidemiological studies looking at the passive exposure (just like passive smoking) to high frequency radiaiton. A very important study on the effect of phone masts on cancer incidence was done by three GPs in the German city of Naila, finding three times more cancer within 400m of a mast. Read the full study here http://www.tetrawatch.net/papers/naila.pdf
Find more independent science at http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/papers.php
J Elliott, Caerleon says...
8:37am Thu 5 Apr 07
To Friend.
I really do hope you read the above research not funded by the phone operators. I would also suggest you try not to believe too much of the rhetoric that the phone operator multi billion pound publicity machine dishes out. There are millions of us in Britain who dont own a mobile phone. Very few children under the age of 12 own one for a start. With the introduction of smoking bans in public places because of the effect of passive smoking, why should I, and millions of others, be subjected to the even more harmful effects of other people's pasive electro magnetic radiation?
The idea that unelected bodies such as the mobile phone companies have a right to expose people to risks unless they can prove harm, amounts to enrolling the population in a giant biological experiment without their consent. Considering that children, the most vulnerable of all, are included in this experiment, is shameful. That their and our health is disregarded so cynically in the pursuit of profit is a national disgrace.
I really do hope you read the above research not funded by the phone operators. I would also suggest you try not to believe too much of the rhetoric that the phone operator multi billion pound publicity machine dishes out. There are millions of us in Britain who dont own a mobile phone. Very few children under the age of 12 own one for a start. With the introduction of smoking bans in public places because of the effect of passive smoking, why should I, and millions of others, be subjected to the even more harmful effects of other people's pasive electro magnetic radiation?
The idea that unelected bodies such as the mobile phone companies have a right to expose people to risks unless they can prove harm, amounts to enrolling the population in a giant biological experiment without their consent. Considering that children, the most vulnerable of all, are included in this experiment, is shameful. That their and our health is disregarded so cynically in the pursuit of profit is a national disgrace.
Steve, says...
9:18am Thu 5 Apr 07
Just as a point of interest, did you know that mobile phone subscription (that's the number of phones being actively used, not the number of handsets in existence) in this country is roughly equal to the population? Approx 65 million.
I don't think I know a single person (barring my 12 week old daughter) who doesn't have a mobile.
I don't think I know a single person (barring my 12 week old daughter) who doesn't have a mobile.
Steve, says...
9:39am Thu 5 Apr 07
Andrea Klein wrote:From a purely objective point of view, both of the links you provided are from organisations with a clearly demonstrated bias against mobile phone masts. In the case of the Naila study, a sample as small as that is so open to misinterpretation and statistical skew as to be untrustworthy. A 10 year sample that opnly encompassed 1000 people?
To Friend: You are quoting three pieces of research, all only dealing with potential links between mobile use and certain types of brain tumours. Two of these studies follow the Interphone protocol, which is flawed, since it does not take into account whether or not the non exposed control group is using a cordless phone (DECT), thus introducing a massive confounding factor. The interphone programme is also 50% sponsored by the mobile industry and hence much more likely to set the parameters of the research in such a way that no causality will be found. We have known the corruption of science for decades with regard to Tobacco. The mobile industry and compliant governments are employing the same techniques as the tobacco industry, consisting of 1. Suppression of unwanted results or reviews, 2. Dilution of results showing damage by producing more research designed to find contradictory results, 3. Diversion by producing confounder issues, i.e. blaming illnesses associated with high frequency exposure on other causes (such as cancer due to obesity), 4. Deception by using paid scientists as Trojan Horses to gain access to policy making authorities and 5.Manipulation by simply changing findings to make them more industry compatible. Plenty of examples of all five techniques can be found on the web. What we need to look at when it comes to masts, are epidemiological studies looking at the passive exposure (just like passive smoking) to high frequency radiaiton. A very important study on the effect of phone masts on cancer incidence was done by three GPs in the German city of Naila, finding three times more cancer within 400m of a mast. Read the full study here http://www.tetrawatch.net/papers/naila.pdf Find more independent science at http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/papers.php
One of the first things I was ever taught about statistics was that anything can be proven, given the correct statistical methodology. This is especially true on small samples (and 1000 is very much a relatively small sample). I had a brief glance through the report, and it appeared that very little was done to eliminate all other factors, with everything "pointing" to the masts.
Don't get me wrong. I'm open minded, and I would happily listen to credible evidence provided it was objective and without bias. I haven't seen any as yet.
You may say "but these are respected scientists, with a high level of peer group approval and support". True. However, the same can be said of the scientists who approve of and actively promote Intelligent Design theories. Enough said!
J Elliott, Caerleon says...
2:51pm Thu 5 Apr 07
Oh dear. Steve, why are you so keen on believing the multi billion pound phone industry publicity machine. They tell you ther are 65 million mobile phone users in Britain so you believe it. The UK has a population of 60 million. 15 million are below the age of 12. Do babies and young children own mobile phones. (I hope not because even the government advise children under 9 should only use a mobile in an emergency). I and many people I know do not own a mobile, not necessarily for health reasons but because they just don't need them because we are organised. 65 million users! Doh!
Phone masts are lethal. The ill health and cancer clusters around these masts continue to rise. Hardly surprising really when they produce pulsing electro magnetic radiation which supprsses the body's cancer fighting hormone melatonin. The idea that unelected bodies such as the mobile phone companies have a right to expose people to risks unless they can prove harm, amounts to enrolling the population in a giant biological experiment without their consent. Considering that children, the most vulnerable of all, are included in this experiment, is shameful. That their and our health is disregarded so cynically in the pursuit of profit is a national disgrace.
Phone masts are lethal. The ill health and cancer clusters around these masts continue to rise. Hardly surprising really when they produce pulsing electro magnetic radiation which supprsses the body's cancer fighting hormone melatonin. The idea that unelected bodies such as the mobile phone companies have a right to expose people to risks unless they can prove harm, amounts to enrolling the population in a giant biological experiment without their consent. Considering that children, the most vulnerable of all, are included in this experiment, is shameful. That their and our health is disregarded so cynically in the pursuit of profit is a national disgrace.
Friend, says...
6:18pm Thu 5 Apr 07
Mr Elliott please get a grip and move with the times - mobile phones are here to stay whether you like it or not, and have revolutionised the way we communicate. I prove to you research that is contrary to whatyou are saying as examples that not there situation is incredibly controversial. There is clearly no proof to date - and some of the above references are by cancer charities confirming no link. As for under 12 yr old - i think you will find the majority probably do have mobile phones this day in age. The reasearch you and others are quoting arnt even in recognised journals! That is not evidence. An example of the workd going crazy beacuse of someone publishing something incorrectly is the MMR and autism row.Finally proven that the initial research was flawed and that there is no link whatsoever.
Sylvia Wright, S Staffordshire says...
11:42am Tue 10 Apr 07
It is high time that this loophole in the planning system for mobile phone masts was firmly closed. It is quite unacceptable that the "oversight" by one council employee can allow such a breach of planning regulations. I will not print here my view on the actions of mobile phone operators who then go ahead and site masts.
In these days of "instant communications" such a situation is laughable - were it not for the grave implications for democracy.
Cllr Sylvia Wright
In these days of "instant communications" such a situation is laughable - were it not for the grave implications for democracy.
Cllr Sylvia Wright
J Elliott, Caerleon says...
4:13pm Wed 11 Apr 07
Friend, I can only assume you are a representative from the mobile operators as you clearly have no regard for the health and safety of fellow human beings.
There are currently over 1,400 independant research papers proving that your phone masts are unsafe. Oh and by the way, the International Journal of Cancer Prevention is a peer reviewed, recognised journal.
I'm afraid the cat is out of the bag. Your multi billion pound mobile phone industry propaganda machine is slowly falling to pieces. As the ill health and cancer clusters increase alarmingly in the vicinity of your masts, people are beginning to realise that this technology is a serious threat to health.
There are currently over 1,400 independant research papers proving that your phone masts are unsafe. Oh and by the way, the International Journal of Cancer Prevention is a peer reviewed, recognised journal.
I'm afraid the cat is out of the bag. Your multi billion pound mobile phone industry propaganda machine is slowly falling to pieces. As the ill health and cancer clusters increase alarmingly in the vicinity of your masts, people are beginning to realise that this technology is a serious threat to health.
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Huw, Caerleon says...
1:38pm Wed 4 Apr 07