Posted By Dave Wilson ave a gander http://www.hpa.org.uk/hp...0/press_release_6_00.htm

Posted By Stephen D. Clarke The siting of phone masts on and near school sites is a matter of concern for parents which is understandable given press reports. I believe the current best practice with regard to base stations and mobile phones is outlined in the Stewart Report, which advocates a precautionary approach and other reports/guidance including the European Directive on Occupational Exposure to EMFs and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister PPG8 document. These documents are available on the internet. My understanding is that since the emissions from mobile phone masts are non-ionising the only effect on humans is slight internal heating and that currently it is not possible to prove that no significant risks exist but I wait to be corrected. I think phone companies are required to furnish risk assessments quantifying radiation, energy field, or electrical hazards and safety of persons nearby. Subject to no adverse findings of the risk assessment and no adverse planning considerations or amenity issues the installation will go ahead. The local planning authority (ie district or borough council) has to be notified of the intention to install a mast or aerial. Hope this is of some help.

Posted By Bob Youel Nearly 300 children killed on our roads last year - lets get on with looking at the real risks - e.g. the asbestos in many of our schools and road speeds as against the masts having dealt with many a mast the main hazard is the hand-set - 'not in my back yard' appears to be the norm yet parents will not give up their mobiles -- get all the info from the proper quarters without getting heated and decide thereafter perhaps then parents can partition for slower speed limits on many of our roads and proper asbestos management

Posted By Ken Taylor I've had this approach a few times. The one for location on school premises was rejected in view of parental and teacher concerns. Two others were for erection within the neighbourhood of schools so I asked for a copy of their assessment of the radiation levels that would be present at maximum output and, as these were only a small fraction of published guidance, we replied to the effect that we had no objection but reserved the right to respond otherwise should further guidance be published.

Posted By Lilian McCartney Apparently there is a new study about to be completed and the info to be avilable next year - though not sure of details. One thing I had heard (not sure of how common/truth) is that when you let them put one thing up they quickly change this to bigger and more powerful masts e.g. 3G masts. If it's not on your premises I'd reckon (from the fact that there's a lot of masts out there) that it might just go ahead anyway. On saying that the phone company might be receptive to you calling them and opening a discussion on your concerns. Phone masts are very emotive with a lot of perceptions on them and it being difficult to know for sure as they haven't been around long enough for long term effects (if any) to show it's always a concern to parents.

Posted By Daljit Sehmbi All, I am seeking information as a school governor. It is my responsibility to the parents and children to get the information and provide this information to the parents of the children for my school. Without information from the professionals on this forum where else does one go to seek help. Surely if the health effects of phone masts are unknown why then are they being placed in densley populated areas. Within the same areas and 1/2 mile away from the school the company already has a phone mast. So one further question Looking at PPG8 - Telecommunications from the following URL http://www.communities.g...asp?id=1143966#TopOfPage Macrocells provide the main structure for the base station network. The base stations for macrocells have power outputs of tens of watts and communicate with phones up to about 35 kilometres (22 miles) distant. Anybody know where I can find out the equivalent information about UMTS ? Please remember I am trying to get the information and nothing else.

Posted By IOSH Moderator Daljit, Welcome to the forums. As you will now have realised the topic is quite emotive and is likely to elicit strongly felt responses. All, please be aware of the Acceptable User Guidelines when you post. They can be found in the top right corner of the screen under "section links". Regards Jonathan Breeze IOSH Moderator

Posted By Bill Elliott Daljit - try logging on to these web pages - they may be able to assist you in your search for info. www.mobilemastinfo.com www.apmobile.org.uk/apmobile%20rpt%203.pdf or try the Health Protection Agency and type "Mobile Phone Masts" in the search. Good Luck

Posted By Fred Pratley Daljit, The website www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk will give you the locations of masts and details of operators. Commonly these are shared by operators and the planning permission will give details about the mast, power output etc. Obviously I do not know the area of your school, but if it is planned to object, parents should write as individuals to the relevant authority and loacal MP as these tend to "weigh heavier" than a multi-signature petition. Grounds for objection vary, but I believe the strongest case is made if the mast is wanted by a single operator who does not have great coverage and cannot buy into an existing mast, so they need their own but this may be viewed as unnecessarily increasing the number of masts in your area. As has been said, currently there is no hard evidence of ill health effects - however, I personally feel that around schools with very young children, the precautionary principle should apply - Don't do it till you know its safe! I trust this helps.

Posted By Fred Pratley Perhaps i should rephrase Don't do it until you understand the risk - and being as that risk is to other people's children, don't do it if they don't want it. Yes, if you take the precautionary principle to mean that if it is not proven safe its dangerous, then life becomes impossible. On the other hand, I suspect its keeping many H&S folk happily employed! Fred

Posted By Alan Nicholls Mobile phone masts use directional antennas called sector antennas, they propagate the energy in a fan shaped beam typically 120 degrees in the horizontal plane and 6- 10 degrees in the vertical plane. Therefore most of the energy is directed well above structures near the antenna. So higher is better. The power used is low, if a site has say 21 channels and each operates at 100 w ERP the power density at 500 feet in the main beam of the antenna would be less than 1 millionth of a watt per sq/centimetre, at 200 feet from the base of the mast it would be 1micro Watt/cm2. The safety standard used for exposure of the public in the US/ Western world. The conclusion is that in 24 hour / day exposure at levels below 500micro Watts/cm2is safe. This standard incorporates large factors of safety. These were set when power was in the region of Kilowatt's and Mega-Watts for broadcast and TV transmitters. Draw your own conclusions. Regards Alan N