National Mobile Phone Distributor to Sponsor City Academy Contrary to Government Policy

The Carphone Warehouse is reputed to be ready to sign a sponsorship deal for Prestons first City Academy ^[5] contrary to Government assurances that the mobile phone industry should not participate in promotions aimed at children. The question of such sponsorship of mobile and wireless technology aimed at children is of especial concern as we head towards more schools being signed up to use systems such as WiFi and other wireless systems, due to serious health concerns from these technologies. Sponsors are involved in the appointment of the board of Governors, so this will inevitably lead to direct intervention in school policies in respect of mobile phone use by children and the siting of mobile phone masts.

Mast Sanity along with other national and local amenity and public interest groups are urging the Government to meet with them in order that concerns relating to the health of children who will be at considerable risk from prolonged exposure to electromagnetic emissions within the confined area of classrooms that have fitted wireless base stations needed for the transmission of signals for systems such as WiFi. Government advisers such as Sir William Stewart have repeatedly advised against over exposure of children from electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone networks such are similar to those of the wireless systems.

Mast Sanity Spokesperson Yasmin Skelt said “It is crucial that urgent talks take place aimed at preventing long term harm to children and others that are in a high risk category of those most likely to be at seriously at risk from EMFs. There are existing systems that could be used to reduce the risk from emissions, such as fibre optics, and where those systems do not exist then we urge the Government and industry to fund research into safer telecommunication systems. Keeping their systems wired would have prevented such health risks.”

Mast Sanity have repeatedly requested that the industry meets with them to discuss issues such as independent research funded through a cost applied to telecom calls, yet they have on every occasion rebuked such requests for meetings. We now restate those requests, and extend the invitation to Government Ministers. Mast Sanity is prepared to meet with Ministers at any time in any place of their choosing. If the new Brown Government is serious about protecting public health then they will readily accept this request for urgent talks.

END

Notes:

References:

[1] ,[2] The Government’s expert group on mobile phones recommendation, from the leaflet Department of Health Leaflet: Mobile phones and health

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4123979

[3] The Mobile Phone Industry body the Mobile Phone Operators' Association statements

[4] Department for Children, Schools and Families guidelines

[5] Lancashire Evening Post : Carphone Warehouse in academy talks

The Mast Sanity Press Office can be contacted on 08704 867 807.