Mobile Phone Masts 

The main concern about radiation in the last few years is radiation from mobile phone masts.Mobile phone companies have a licence from the government to provide network installations throughout the country. They have to show some consideration in the location and the design of the installation.Mobile phones work by using radio waves transmitted from base stations - both emit radio frequency radiation when in use. This radiation is an electromagnetic transmission of energy, similar to that from televisions or radios.If there is a large distance between a mobile phone and its connecting base a lot of energy is needed for a phone to operate. The more energy that is used by the phone, the higher the level of radiation is emitted to the soft tissues of the head, which is more pronounced in children due their softer head tissue. The actual mobile phone masts are unlikely to cause a heating effect beyond its immediate location.Research has been carriedout worldwide and more studies are continuing to assess if this radiation is a health risk - no evidencehas been found at present. However, as this technology is new and with unknown long term effects, the government requires that the emission of radiation does notexceed the levels set by the ICNIRP:

(International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection)

Schools who are concerned about the radiation levels within the school grounds can request measurements to be carried out by the Office of Communications (Ofcom). A database of radiation levels at schools is being compiled.

Radiation levels measured by the Ofcom and the Health Protection Agency (HPA), at schools and other areas, have found a very small percentage of the maximum levels prescribed by ICNIRP.