MAST ACTION UK

LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES MEMORANDUM

REVISED FOURTH ADDENDUM

- LEGAL SERVICES

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1.17

1.18

1.19

There are additional factors that need to be taken into account in assessing any possible health effects. Populations as a whole are not genetically homogeneous and people can vary in their susceptibility to environmental hazards. There are well-established examples in the literature of the genetic predisposition of some groups, which could influence sensitivity to disease. There could also be a dependence on age. We conclude therefore that it is not possible at present to say that exposure to RF radiation, even at levels below national guidelines, is totally without potential adverse health effects, and that the gaps in knowledge are sufficient to justify a precautionary approach (Chapter 5, paragraphs 6.35-6.42).

Sir William went on to remind everyone that the Stewart Report in paragraph 1 .3 1 had made it clear that there could be indirect adverse impacts on some people's well-being as much as any direct health effects:

1.31

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On Monday 25th November 2002 in the Queens Bench Division Administrative Court in an appeal against a Planning Inspectors Decision Sullivan J in Trevett -v- Secretary of State for Transport Local Government and the Regions held as follows:-

"There can be no doubt that the Inspector had recognised that the perceived adverse

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"The Government want us to say that these masts are completely safe and are not

Professor Challis also stated:

"There are fears that there might be biological effects and it is not possible at present to be sure that exposure is not without potential health effects. That is why we advised the precautionary approach to the siting of masts"

Paragraph 1.20 of the Stewart Report referring to the main recommendations contained in paragraphs 1.17 to 1.19 reads as follows: -

"In the light of the above considerations we recommend that a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available"

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Previously, on 2nd February 2000 the Commission had issued "Communication from the

Commission on the Precautionary Principle". In paragraph 6 of its Summary, the

Commission stated:-

"Where action is deemed necessary, measures based on the precautionary principle should be, inter alia:

- Proportional to the chosen level of protection.

- Non-discriminatory in their application.

- Based on an examination of the potential benefits and costs of action or lack of action.

- Subject to review in the light of new scientific data.

The purpose of the Luxembourg meeting three years after the Commission's Communication was issued in February 2000, was to review the application of the Precautionary Principle in the light of current events and developments, and to decide upon a recommendation, if appropriate, to the Commission.

A number of written pre-requested presentations had been lodged, including Mast Action UK's, and at the meeting short oral presentations were invited from such participants. At the suggestion of the WHO Research Programme Manager Doctor Michael Repacholi, Mast Action UK challenged the Working Group over the following two days to find a solution to

the problems of parents of young children who are concerned that their development may be adversely affected by the further proliferation of masts and base stations to provide 3G services in residential areas, contrary to the rights contained in Article 8(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Another participant drew the Working Group's attention to the German Medical Doctors "Freiburger Appeal", where more than 500 General Practitioners had drawn attention to their concerns that:-

"We can see, especially after carefully directed inquiry, a clear temporal and spatial correlation between the appearance of disease and exposure to pulsed higher frequency radiation such as:

- Installation of mobile phone sending station in near vicinity.

- Intensive mobile telephone use.

- Installation of digital cordless telephone at home or in the neighbourhood.

REVISED AAM 03.03.2003

On 24th February 2003 the European Commission and the World Health Organization convened a joint meeting in Luxembourg at the Commission's Jean Monnet Building "On the Application of the Precautionary Principle to EMF".

"dangerous, but we cannot say that"

On 23rd January 2003 at the East Devon District Councils Planning Seminar, Sir William Stewart's successor as Chairman of the Government's MTHR Research Project Professor Challis stated: -

effects on health could justify refusing planning permission, and that he had not dismissed the public's fears as being irrelevant because they were not objectively justified. The Inspector had said that the perceived health risks, on the facts, did not justify refusing planning permission"

These principles seem now to be taken properly into account by some Local Planning Authorities, and some Planning Inspectors on Appeal, which is beginning to be consistent now with the requirements of Articles 6 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998. We are concerned at the indirect ad verse impact which current planning procedures are having on those who have been, or are, subjected to the often insensitive siting of base stations. Adverse impacts on the local environment may adversely impact on the public's well-being as much as any direct health effects. There is now scientific evidence, however, which suggests that there may be biological effects occurring at exposures below these guidelines The balance of evidence to date suggests that exposures to RF radiation below NRPB and ICNIRP guidelines do not cause adverse health effects to the general population (Chapter 5, paragraphs 6.33-6.42).(paragraphs 5.176-5.194, 6.38). This does not necessarily mean that these effects lead to disease or injury, but it is potentially important information and we consider the implications below.At the MTHR Mobile Telecommunications Health Research Programme MTHR Research Seminar. held at the Royal Society on Monday 11 November 2002, the Chairman of MTHR, Sir William Stewart FRS, reiterated in giving his UK perspective on mobile phones and health that the 11 May 2000 Stewart IEGMP Report ‘s main conclusions were contained in paragraphs 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19, and not in paragraph 1.33 as repeatedly put forward by HM Government in their announced acceptance of the main IEGMP recommendations.