Mast Sanity welcomes the issues highlighted in the dramatisation of a telecommunication engineer affected by a life threatening tumour, and points to the similarity in the case of the two engineers who sought damages against their employers in 2002 [1 ] although in that case the court found against the engineers on the grounds that as employees they had to accept the risks that go with the job. Which of course is the issue that appears to lie at the back of the story line, that an uncaring employer refuses to offer compensation, or even a pension to a past employee affected by radiation sickness that has caused the tumour.

Whilst Mast Sanity can never condone the violent actions of the bomber and gun man depicted we can sympathise with the frustration and powerlessness that many people feel over the whole mobile phone and mobile phone mast issue.

The programme also highlights the fact that there are many instances of radiation sicknesses and tumours, particularly with the usage by the emergency services of the TETRA system, with several deaths that are attributed to or have been caused by the direct use of mobile phones.

Mast Sanity Spokesperson Yasmin Skelt [2 ] said "The concerns of Mast Sanity are brought very much to the fore within this programme that for the first time within a dramatisation brings home the real harm that excessive use of mobile phones can and does cause. Even Government advice is such that people are advised not to use mobile phones for excessive period of time. It is though time that the industry and the Government took this health threat more seriously and introduced restrictions on the use of mobile phones and a precautionary approach to the further roll out of the [mobile phone mast] system".

END.

Notes and References:

1.    Davis & Anor v Balfour Kilpatrick Ltd. & Ors [2002] EWCA Civ 736 (23rd May, 2002) http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2002/736.html
2.    Yasmin Skelt was one of the first members of the public to challenge the government's planning policy in the now classic case that is often quoted in planning inquiries - Yasmin Skelt v First Secretary of State and Three Rivers District Council and Orange PCS Limited