The phone mast safety debate

In view of conflicting evidence, the Government's chief adviser on the issue, Sir William Stewart, recommended caution until more is known.

His group on mobile phones concluded last May that the balance of evidence did not suggest that emissions-from handsets or masts were health risks.

But he did point out that there was scientific evidence suggesting that the kind of microwave radiation that mobile phones emit might have biological effects.

That was true even at levels below the guidelines laid down by the regulatory body, the National Radiological Protection Board. But what those effects might be on people could not be predicted, he said.

"We recommend that a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available."

An expert panel report prepared in Canada came to an almost identical conclusion. As a result of both these investigations the Government here commissioned a new £7.5million study looking at mobile telephone safety. It has yet to report back.

A map of all the transmitters in the country, with their size and power, can be found on the Radiocommunications Agency's website http://www.sitefinder.radio .