UK Mast's killer radiation& Anectdotal evidence

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'Mobile phone mast has caused 27 deaths', say

residents

10.11.06

 

Families living in three streets are spending hundreds

of pounds trying to protect themselves from what they

believe are killer radiation rays

 

A mobile phone mast has caused 27 deaths and illnesses

to people living close by, terrified residents said

yesterday.

 

They believe the 82ft antenna emits potentially lethal

microwaves and is responsible for a cluster of cancer

cases over the last 13 years, some of which had proved

fatal.

 

Families living in three streets are spending hundreds

of pounds trying to protect themselves from what they

believe are killer radiation rays.

 

They are lining their lofts and walls with tin foil,

putting up metal mesh curtains and installing

specialist windows.

 

The mast - owned by mobile phone giant Orange - was

erected in Shooters Hill in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, in

1993.

 

Since then there has been seven deaths and 20

illnesses, which locals claim is linked to the

towering structure dominating the skyline.

 

Four people, including neighbours Elsie Jones, Yvonne

Greensmith and Freda Oakes, have died from brain

haemorrhages, all within three years of each other.

 

Three other residents have succumbed to cancer, among

them John Cornes and John Butler, who died from a

brain tumour.

 

Four non-fatal cases of cancer have been reported, as

well as three people suffering irregular heartbeats,

five who have constant headaches and sleeplessness and

six who have high blood pressure.

 

Two have also complained that their epilepsy has

worsened significantly in the last ten years. The

three worst affected streets are Cherrywood Grove,

Sandon Road and Milward Grove, which are all just

yards from the mast.

 

Stoke-on-Trent City Council commissioned expert tests

last year to find anything that would have a negative

effect on human health but they found nothing.

 

Orange also insist the antenna - which collects and

distributes signals from other masts- is safe but

there are now growing calls to have it torn down.

 

Mother-of-two Karen Owens, aged 40, who lives 300 feet

from the mast on Milward Grove, had a double

mastectomy on Tuesday after contracting cancer.

 

She found out she had breast cancer back in May and is

now terrified sons James, five and two-year-old Harry

are being harmed.

 

Karen said: " Since I was diagnosed it has always been

in the back of my mind that it was connected to the

mast.

 

" I had some initial surgery and chemotherapy, but then

I decided to have both breasts removed because I'm

frightened of it coming back.

 

" The operation has been completed as expected. I feel

rough but everything has gone to plan. There is no

history of breast cancer in my family, and

statistically I am very young to get it. "

 

Chris Cornes lost her husband John to cancer four

years ago and now uses about 50 rolls of tin foil to

line her loft and bed headboard.

 

Monitoring equipment apparently showed one side of her

home has much more microwave radiation than the other.

 

Jean Hopkins, who lives within feet of the mast,

suffered from headaches until spending £1,000 on

precautions.

 

She said: " I'm not a hypochondriac and I don't make

things up. Residents shouldn't have to live like this.

It destroys your quality of life. "

 

Alfred Oakes, 81, has lived on Sandon Road for 51

years. He believes the mast, which is directly

opposite his home, could be responsible for his skin

cancer.

 

Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello wants research to

see if residents' fears are justified.

 

He said: " I use a mobile phone, but that is my choice.

People who buy a house and then a mast is put up have

no choice. "

 

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said its research the

antenna was operating within national guidelines.

 

But opponents say the council report only looked at

the possible heating effects of the microwaves, not

their potential to cause biological problems,

especially in the brain.

 

Dr Gerald Hyland, from the University of Warwick said

his research revealed " quite a strong correlation "

between health problems and where the beams of

microwaves are strongest.

 

Digital mobile phone radiation operates at a similar

frequency to electrical activities in the brain - and

may cause sleeplessness, headaches and more serious

illnesses.

 

Orange insist the mast will not cause any adverse

affects to residents. Sue Hammett, Orange's community

liaison officer said: " The latest fact sheet from the

World Health Organisation said there were no adverse

long-term or short-term health effects from this

low-level radiofrequency and that came out in May.

 

" We appreciate this is a sensitive issue, but we

believe our mobile phone stations are safe. "

 

© 2006 Associated Newspapers Ltd

 

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