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 | | Tuesday, 29 January, 2002, 18:06 GMT New inquiry probes mast safety  There have been many protests over phone masts A multi-million pound police radio network could be in jeopardy, if a public inquiry in Gloucestershire, decides the masts for the system pose a health risk. The inquiry - which will decide whether a mast in Stroud can be erected - is being seen as a test case, which could have implications for thousands of other communities. Campaigners argue the frequency the system operates on could lead to brain damage. It was called after Stroud councillors blocked the building of a mast on health grounds. Brainwave frequencies The company Airwave mm02 said the Tetra mast, favoured by the emergency services, gave off only a fraction of permitted emissions. But scientists said the system used a frequency that should be avoided, because it was almost identical to brainwave frequencies. Lynne Edmunds of the campaign group, Mast Action, said: "No studies have ever been done on the Tetra system for its effect on humans. "But there have been hundreds of studies internationally that point to the possibility of health danger.
But Tetra officials insist the system is safe. Charles St George of the company said: "As far as we're concerned, there is no adverse health risk and that is a position that we stand by." Professor Sir William Stewart, who led an investigation into the health effects of mobile phone technology, has said the network operated on a frequency which 'should be avoided if at all possible'. His comments will raise fresh fears about the dangers of the masts. Experts, whose work has been reviewed by Sir William, have warned that the new masts and the handsets given to users could damage the brain and cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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