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Date: 5 April 2004
Dear Mr Davidson
Thank you for your letters of 11 and 28 March 2004 about TETRA technology.
You have seen my letter of 4 March to J— C—, which contained quite detailed information on this issue.
I am aware that some people have reported symptoms they attribute to the presence of TETRA masts. I must stress that similar reports have been made about other types of mobile phone masts and that there is no reason to single out TETRA emissions, which have been shown to be very similar to those from GSM masts.
There is certainly no intention to be dismissive of these concerns, and indeed epidemiology studies of people living near base stations have been considered under the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme co-ordinated by the Department of Health.
My understanding is that it would be impossible to carry out this type of study for adults because one could not separate the effects of base stations from those of other electromagnetic fields. This is particulalry important because emissions from base stations are so weak, particularly when compared to those from mobile phones. However the MTHR Programme is funding an epidemiology study of children from birth to 4 years, for whom it should be easier to eliminate mobile phone effects. There is no direct Home Office involvement in this study.
You mention television interference: again all radio masts are bound to interfere with television signals in areas of poor reception. This is because the boosters many people install to improve reception do not have sufficient frequency discrimination and amplify all signals, including those from neighbouring base stations. This can usually be resolved by fitting suitable filters. Extensive advice can be found on the Ofcom webpage at www.ofcom.org.uk.
Yours sincerely
Dr M F Levy
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