A
mobile phone company is to carry out a study of emissions from one
of its masts in Devon.
Orange has agreed to the work after a group of people living near
the mast in Crediton said they feared it could be linked to a number
of cancer cases. The phone company insists its mast is safe.
Six-year-old Emma Cann's bedroom window overlooks the mobile phone
mast on George Hill in Crediton. Three years ago she was diagnosed
with leukaemia. After treatment she is now in remission.
Another three people in the road have also been diagnosed with leukaemia
or cancer and one man has since died.
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Emma
Cann: her bedroom window overlooks the George Hill mast
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That has prompted
Emma's parents to monitor the emissions from the mast.
The bedroom walls are lined with reflective paper and the window has
a metal grill across it.
Although there is no scientific evidence linking masts with illness,
the Canns want to see it removed.
"I think it can be no coincidence that four residents have been
diagnosed with cancer in our small community, we all are in a direct
line from the beam from the Orange phone mast at the top of George
Hill," said Emma Cann.
"I really feel it must be the link that the main beam is beaming
directly through our houses into the town of Crediton and unfortunately
we're in the wrong place."
Just down the road Frank Bristow has also been diagnosed with leukaemia.
He says while there is still any doubt about the cause, more research
should be carried out.
"The fact of the matter is we don't know whether there's a link
or not," said Mr Bristow.
"Until people know whether there is a link between these mobile
phone masts and leukaemia, I believe that the Government should take
effective legislation to make sure some safety standards are set."
In a statement, Orange, said while it acknowledges the concern, there
is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to radio
waves, transmitter sites and long term public health risks.
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Orange
has agreed to an independent emissions survey
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Many scientists
too say the power output of masts is relatively low, only 100 times
that of an ordinary mobile phone which is used much closer to the
body.
"Generally speaking the field strength that's created or the
energy that's deposited is much greater in the case of a mobile phone
in normal use than one is ever likely to see from a mast," explained
Dr Philip Slade of Exeter University.
Orange says its transmitters operate at levels well within national
and international guidelines, but it has agreed that an independent
emissions survey will now be carried out on George Hill.
It hopes this may begin to allay the fears of people living nearby.
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