Glastonbury residents fear WiFi is wrecking their health
Posted by seumasach on January 5, 2009
But at a heated public meeting on Friday, it was clear many locals thought that, rather than being the ground-breaking wireless internet service it was supposed to be, it was putting public health in jeopardy.
The town became the first place in the country to have a wireless internet service introduced across its centre in May.
However, dozens of locals claim the hi-tech addition to the historic centre is causing serious health problems for a number of residents and link the illnesses to the six antennae that emit the signals to enable the system.
People packed the town hall yesterday for an open meeting organised by Somerset County Council aimed at dispelling myths and reassuring the community that the service was not harmful.
But some remain unconvinced and say headaches, dizziness and rashes are just some of the symptoms that have become commonplace since WiFi was introduced.
Campaigner Jacqui Roberts said: “Everywhere people are getting headaches and dizziness and rashes. I began getting pain around the back of the head low down in April. It was only in June that I found out about the effects of WiFi on the biological system.”
Mrs Roberts says she has developed bronchitis since the installation of the system and that there is scientific research to support claims that WiFi signals can reduce the production of the hormone melatonin in the body, which regulates the metabolic rate and helps to prevent cancer.
“It cuts down the vital production of melatonin at night because the pulsed microwaves feed the pineal gland with false information. Melatonin fights the free radicals and cancer-producing cells.”
British scientist Barry Trower has been researching the effects of radiation on health since the 1960s and supports the Glastonbury campaigners’ protests.
In a recent speech to the Welsh Assembly about the potential dangers, he said: “From 1993 in America for six years the communications industry employed 200 research doctors – at a cost of $28.5million – to study the safety of their microwave systems. The studies showed increased tumours, genetic damage, a greater risk to children, damage to the blood-brain barrier; in all, 15 epidemiological studies were carried out.
“The research scientist leading these studies has predicted 30,000 to 50,000 cancers worldwide this year alone – of just one type of cancer.”
Andrew Johnson, who has lived in the town for 19 years, said he shared campaigners’ health concerns, but was also critical of the system itself.
He said: “The service is slow, insecure and there are far better options available. There are lots of unknowns about the impacts of WiFi, so why take the risk?
“The town doesn’t need it. People come to Glastonbury for its heritage and its culture, not for its internet connection.”
Somerset County Council insists it has followed all EU safety guideline and passed rigorous safety checks. There has never been any proven link between WiFi and health complaints.
The council and the Regional Development Agency say the project gives tourists, businesses, traders and the public access to broadband internet anywhere in and around the town centre and will boost the economy.
It has been introduced as part of a three-year trial but Glastonbury councillors have pledged to consider a report investigation the public’s concerns.
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