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Date: 08 March 2004
To: mike clark@hpa.org.uk (Dr Michael Clark, NRPB Science Spokesman)
Subject: Press misrepresentation
Mike, many thanks for your swift reply.
I am considerably heartened by what you say, especially that you recognise that some people are affected by the presence of masts, and that this is real, not imaginary. I am into my 11th day without more than 2 hours sleep at a time, constant headaches and itchy skin, all coinciding with the switching on of a Tetra mast 100 metres from my home (the mast is surrounded by family housing, the nearest only 20 metres). As I said in my email to you, there are a many others in the vicinity of this mast with identical symptoms. We are used to mobile masts: Tetra is merely an addition to existing Vodaphone, Orange and mmO2 mobile masts that have been there some time. There is nothing psychosomatic about this occurrence.
Secondly, I wish to take you to task about the argument in your 2001 press release, regarding the pulsed characteristic of Tetra. Your statement says: "Some claims have been made that the base station signals are pulsed. Measurements made by NRPB show that the signals from TETRA base stations are not pulsed." We have documentary evidence in the form of oscilloscope traces indicating quite clearly that they do, at a frequency of 17.6Hz, made as recently as Friday 5 March at Woodside Road, Worthing. Many other measurements have been taken alsewhere in the south confirming time and again that this is the case.
Your 2004 press release relates to mobile phones in general, about which we have no argument. Our concern is not about RF or carrier waves. I am scientist enough to know that I am not a television and why that makes a difference! Indeed the only connection we make with TV interference is the coincidence of the effect with the switching on of the Tetra mast. It may be visible, but that is not what is waking us up at 2am.
Whatever carries the 17.6Hz pulse, or burst frequency if you prefer, it is sufficient to be detected at some distance by Tetra receivers, and our impression is that an unanticipatedly large proportion of people are in some way sensitive to the "beat". Our brains are exquisitely sensitive, and it may well be that our brain frequencies are becoming entrained with the Tetra pulse frequency. It would appear to be highly probable, when we consider that waking state beta brain waves coincide with the pulse of Tetra, and that this is what people are experiencing just as they come out of alpha sleep into REM sleep.
I, unfortunately am sensitive, and I know a number who feel the same. I have had no other problems with EMR at all, and I am certainly no technophobe! However, when I stood by the Shoreham Tetra mast, for example, I had a gripping headache within minutes. This diminished and disappeared as I drove away. Other have reported nausea at the same mast. Again, a survey of the business units surrounding this mast may be revealing. I do not know, but I would be surprised, given the biological reaction experienced at Woodside Road. Why is no-one measuring this? We know (now) that we are far from being the first.
At the very least, there seems to be full justification for research into the effect of this communication system in vivo (human), rather than in vitro. It still seems highly surprising that even if only the handsets pulsed, this frequency should be permitted in a nationwide system, against the clear recommendations of Stewart.
I am familiar with the Home Office research programme on Tetra. However, I am not reassured (and nor should police volunteers) that they are to be subjects over a 15 year period, during which their health and that of all the rest of the UK's police officers, could be compromised. Would food or drugs be tested in this way? There is clearly the possibility of a health risk or link, or so much money would not be spent on the research.
I would be interested in your opinion, given that you recognise that base stations also have given rise to reported ill-health, as to proper independent surveys of those living near to such masts. I am absolutely certain that were this to be done now amongst the residents in the vicinity of Woodside Road, Worthing, the evidence would be conclusive. Whether or not you consider these base stations to pulse, there is a causal connection and cases of serious sleep deprivation.
I have written (and so has my GP) to the Director of Public Health, Adur and Arun PCT, requesting proper investigation on behalf of the residents in Worthing. O2Airwave continue to refute any possibility of there being any link between Tetra and symptoms of ill health, however unusual, uncharacteristic and coincidental, both temporaly and spatialy.
Could you give any indication that the NRPB would be prepared to intervene, given that residents here are desperate to know when life can return to an acceptable norm?
Incidentally, you suggest that interference is a matter for Airwave to deal with. So far they have consistently denied any responsibility at all, against all reason. They describe (I have it from them in writing) everyone's TV, video and aerial systems, however new, to whatever commercial standards, as "defective". I understand also, for example, that Sussex Police are expected to replace their breathalyzer units with new ones less susceptible to interference, and that advice has been given not to use Teatra handsets in the proximity of sensitive medical equipment, such as defibrillators at the scene of an RTA.
Mike, if we can make connections, clearly some intervention should take place. I am therefore also interested in your suggestions as to what course of action to take before further damage is done.
sincerely
Andy
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