-Caveat Lector- key extracts: The news coincides with the revelation that hundreds of schools that have let mobile phone companies erect aerials on their roofs in return for rent face safety checks after scientists found some were exposing children to potentially dangerous radiation levels. Two schools as well as homes have been subjected to radiation levels that exceed safe limits. The problem was discovered at one school by government scientists after they were called in by concerned parents. The other cases emerged only by chance and it is thought that a survey will show many more. Mobile phone masts emit about 100 watts of power, similar to a domestic light bulb. But the microwaves they emit are focused into beams and are emitted in pulses -- properties which, say some scientists, can alter the way brain cells function and damage DNA. ----------------------------------------------------------- The Sunday Times (London) December 5 1999 SCOTLAND Mobile phone companies face crackdown on masts A CRACKDOWN on mobile phone masts is to be demanded by a Scottish parliament committee in the wake of public fears over potential health risks, write Geraldine Murray and Kenny Farquharson. Tougher laws to force mobile phone companies to apply for full planning permission every time they want to erect a transmitter mast will be proposed in a report by the transport and environment committee. The move, planned for early in the new year, will give local authorities the right to reject applications for masts, many of which are currently erected on schools and in residential areas. Under existing legislation, mobile phone operators do not require planning permission unless the mast is above 49ft. The committee's proposals would prevent companies from erecting masts without members of the public being fully informed and given an opportunity to object. The telecommunications industry is concerned that such a move could allow councils the chance to make political capital out of mobile phone masts and deliberately block future applications. But a source close to the committee said: "None of the industry representatives have made a convincing case for the committee to do anything other than recommend full planning powers." The committee has taken evidence and submissions from a range of experts including scientists from Greater Glasgow Health Board and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health. Both organisations insisted that there is a growing body of research into possible links between mobile phone masts and a number of conditions including short-term memory loss and cancer. They called for new rules to restrict where masts are sited. The Scottish executive will have to respond to the committee's recommendation, but the committee has the option of bringing forward its own legislation if it chooses. Half of Scotland's 32 local authorities have imposed restrictions on erecting further masts on schools and council-owned buildings until further scientific research has been carried out. Kevin Dunion, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, welcomed the news. "There's no doubt the people of Scotland want planning controls to prevent masts on schools and hospitals," he said. "The choice facing the Scottish executive is clear: does it propose changes to planning legislation itself or will it be forced to bow to proposals from the parliament's environment committee?" Bob King, secretary of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications, said: "Clearly health and safety takes priority over any planning issue, but at the same time I would want to see any new constraints exercised in such a way they do not deliberately inconvenience an operator." A spokesman for the Scottish executive said: "We cannot comment until we see the results of the report." The news coincides with the revelation that hundreds of schools that have let mobile phone companies erect aerials on their roofs in return for rent face safety checks after scientists found some were exposing children to potentially dangerous radiation levels. Two schools as well as homes have been subjected to radiation levels that exceed safe limits. The problem was discovered at one school by government scientists after they were called in by concerned parents. The other cases emerged only by chance and it is thought that a survey will show many more. Mobile phone masts emit about 100 watts of power, similar to a domestic light bulb. But the microwaves they emit are focused into beams and are emitted in pulses - properties which, say some scientists, can alter the way brain cells function and damage DNA. Additional reporting: Jonathan Leake. Copyright 1999 Times Newspapers Ltd. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/ 99/12/05/stiscosco01010.html?999 . DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. 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