§ Lord Pilkington of Oxenfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can assure residents living within two kilometres of the proposed TETRA (Trans European Trunked Radio Access) mast to be built at Dowlish Ford, near Ilminster, Somerset, that this will have no adverse impact on their health. [HL986]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (the Stewart report) provided a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of existing research related to concerns about the possible effects on health of emissions from mobile phones and base stations (masts). The report concluded "that the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines". For instance, under the current measurement programme of mobile phone base stations near schools, the highest level measured has 45WA been one six hundredth (1/600) of the recommended guideline level. As with mobile phone base stations, those supporting TETRA need to comply with guidelines. In view of the concerns expressed by residents near base stations and the indirect effect on people's well-being, the Stewart group made a number of recommendations aimed at improving the public consultation and the availability of information about the siting of base stations. The Government are implementing these recommendations and information can be found on the mobile phones web site (www.doh.gov.uk/mobileohones).