Published at 19:29, Thursday, 22 January 2009

A SEATON headteacher fears that a 50ft mobile phone mast at the village’s rugby club would risk the health of her pupils.

Mobile phone company Telefónica O2 is consulting on plans to put the mast at Seaton Rugby Club opposite the infant school and nursery. But headteacher Lesley Grace has vowed to fight the proposals.

Mrs Grace said: “My concerns centre around the issue of health and safety, and potential harm to the children.

“The proposed installation is directly opposite our school and we strongly believe that the health and well-being of the children at the school would be put at risk by the proposal.”

A report was published by government health advisors the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP), set up in 1999. The report claims there is some scientific evidence that exposures to radio frequency (RF) may affect people’s health, including the brain.

The report states that it is not possible to say that exposure to RF radiation, even at low levels, is totally without risk.

The report recommends a “precautionary” use of mobile phone technologies until more detailed and information is made available.

Mrs Grace said: “Near a school in a built-up area is not ‘precautionary’. There must be other places away from built-up areas, especially schools. The school is used by more than 200 young children and is within 25 metres of the rugby club.

“From 7.30am to 4.30pm very young children would be exposed to RF radiation continually, which presents a huge potential risk to their health.

“Until more information on health effects becomes available the proposed mast is totally unacceptable.”

Tom Powell, regional communication manager for O2, said: “Our sites usually operate at hundreds if not thousands of times below the guideline level. We are dealing with the school’s concerns as part of the public consultation process.”

The mast proposal was discussed at a parish council meeting on Monday but councillors decided to defer their decision until they have seen the plans.

Councillor Kate Birkett said: “I bet many of the people who complain about the mast bought their child a mobile phone for Christmas. It seems hypocrisy is the order of the day.”

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk