5G Somerset Council Expert Update

A Somerset council expert assures public that the roll out of 5G technology will have 'no consequence for public health.'

22:02 27 July 2019

Somerset Council has assured the public that the roll out of 5G technology will have “no consequence for public health” after local resident Louise Thomas raised concerns over “growing worldwide opposition” to the technology.

 

 

 

Town councils in Frome and Glastonbury have already opposed to the roll-out of 5G in their area saying that it is harmful to both people’s health and the natural environment.

 

 

 

Ms Thomas, who is involved with the campaign group Stop 5G Taunton, said scientists and doctors had already appealed to the EU, UN and World Health Organisation (WHO) about the risks of 5G, with peer-reviewed research “indicating biological harm to humans and the environment”.

 

 

 

She said: “Give the fact that both Glastonbury and Frome Town Councils have put a moratorium on the roll-out of 5G subject to reviewing the research, does Somerset County Council consider that it may be also appropriate to look into the 5G frequency emissions and the impact it could have on Somerset’s residents?”

 

 

 

Councillor Christine Lawrence, cabinet member for public health and well-being and the chair of the Somerset health and well-being board, responded saying: “Mobile networks have been in operation since the 1980s. All wireless technologies have to be rolled out under strict guidelines. These are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

 

 

 

“There are strict rules on exposure of waves, non-ionising radiation and electromagnetic fields. All 5G is being rolled out within these guidelines.

 

 

 

“It is possible that there will be a small overall increase in overall exposure to radio waves, but this is expected to remain low in relation to public guidelines, and therefore there should be no consequence for public health.”