International protest against Bushey Heath phone mast (From Watford Observer)

International protest against Bushey Heath phone mast

10:40am Thursday 15th January 2009

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Protesters from around the world have joined residents in Bushey Heath campaigning against a phone mast they say will “fry their brains”.

Telecommunications firm O2 have put in a planning application to build a mast in the National Grid Compound in Elstree Road, near Immanuel College and a residential area.

A government database states there are already 1092 masts and communications bases in Hertfordshire.

Following a Watford Observer article about the proposed building, comments have flooded in from international groups.

Martin Weatherall from Canada, the founding director of anti-mast group WEEP and a former Watford Observer photographer, said he became ill following work with the Toronto Police Service that exposed him to electro magnetic pollution.

He strongly disagreed with O2's statements that there was no research linking phone masts with bad health.

He cited more than 50 research papers on the topic as evidence against masts and radiation.

After reading the article on the proposed mast in Bushey Heath, Henrik Eiriksson of www.mast-victims.org said: "If you examine the World Health Organisations research database you will find that 80 per cent of studies on people living near mobile-phone masts show harm to health and quality of life.”

Leslie Winters of Woodstock Road, Bushey Heath voiced anger over the mast being planned near a “huge” mast already located in the nearby Spire Bushey Hospital.

He said: “There is no doubt in my mind that over extensive use of mobile phone gives a headache.

"I understand that they have to have masts but having two on top of you is absurd and disgusting.

"What worries me is that we will be in an enormous triangle between massive masts. If we would allow for that we would all really have our brains fried.

“There is no proof that they are safe. We used to think cigarettes were safe. The phone companies just have a lot of wealth so they can get people to say anything.”

O2 Spokesperson Jim Stevenson said there was no scientific evidence to support any of the protesters claims dispite significant research.

The application, recommended for refusal by Hertsmere Borough Council will be decided at the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett on Tuesday at 7.30pm

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