Liz Lynne calls for more research after visiting the site of 'the worst Electromagnetic radiation in England'

12.06.00pm GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

LibDem Euro MP Liz Lynne has called for more research after visiting the High Acres Base Station in Kingswinford to see for herself the mobile phone masts which regulator OFCOM has recently described as the biggest emitters of electromagnetic radiation in England.

The High Acres Base Station is a former water tower now festooned with 8 dishes and 18 antennae from various mobile phone companies, situated just yards from people's homes.

Since the masts, which were dubbed as having 'the worst levels of this type of radiation in the world' by American Scientist Dr George Carlo, were erected in 2001, 14 people who lived nearby have died of cancer, a further 20 people in the area have contracted the disease and survived.

Liz Lynne, who is Co-Chair of MEPs Against Cancer in the European Parliament, visited the site on Friday January 30th with concerned local residents Wendy and Clive Baggot and local LibDem councillors Lyn Boleyn and Dave Tyler who are campaigning for the masts to be removed.

They were joined by Eileen O' Connor from the Radiation Research Trust and by Swedish expert Professor Olle Johansson. The professor, one of the world's leading authorities on electromagnetic radiation from Sweden's Karolinska Institute, flew to Britain to meet Liz Lynne to highlight his fears about EMF radiation and the phenomenon of 'electro sensitivity.'

After inspecting the site and meeting residents and Professor Johansson, Liz highlighted the need for further research to be done into the potentially lethal effects of this type of electromagnetic radiation. She said:

"Currently nearly all studies in this area have been done on a short term basis. We need detailed research into the effects of these devices over 10, 20 even 30 years.

"I am deeply concerned about the levels of radiation being given off by the High Acres Base Station, I believe that until further research is completed it is irresponsible to have a mast emitting such high levels of radiation right in the middle of a populated area."

Local LibDem Councilor David Tyler said: "I am very proud to support this campaign and am glad Liz Lynne has chosen to lend her support to it. I believe that this campaign is right and that this phone mast needs to be removed."

Eileen O' Connor, who started campaigning against mobile phone masts after contracting breast cancer while living just 100 meters from a base station in Sutton Coldfield, said:

"We are very pleased that Liz has been able to come and show her support for the residents here. The campaign to have phone masts moved away from populated areas has gone from strength to strength. I hope that with Liz's help we can build on this success."

ENDS