Eloise HorsfieldBy Wendy Williams
THEY have long feared that a mobile phone mast has been causing cancer in their village.
Now the residents of Benajarafe have scored a massive victory by having it removed.
After a two year battle, Vodafone has been ordered to take down the controversial transmitter.
The locals are adamant that the mast, which stands just metres from their houses was the reason for a high incidence of recent cancer deaths.
Of the nearly 400 residents there have been a staggering 50 cases of cancer with more than 30 people dying in recent years.
Many others claim to have been suffering from insomnia, headaches, depression and memory disorders due to the mast.
Following numerous protests Velez Malaga Town Hall issued a municipal order in 2009 to have it taken down as its construction 16 years ago was not licensed.
After Vodafone lost an appeal against the order, the town hall received notification that it could be removed.
“We are satisfied,” said councillor Concepcion Labao. “Work is beginning on removing this mast, which has a great visual impact and is not legal.”
Congratulations! I’m delighted to hear this mast has been removed. It will come as a relief to the residents who have suffered with ill health. I also lived in a cancer cluster surrounding a phone mast and was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. The mast was also finally removed and wellness returned to the village.
Kind regards
Eileen O’Connor
Director
UK Radiation Research Trust
However, I think the good news would be the end of wireless communication, not a only mast, because the operators will build another one far away, even increasing much more than is now the power in situ (gain of the base station) as you know, to have the same power density which exists now in the village. At last is only a problem of aesthetics, with the BS deceptively distant.
Yours,
Claudio
Hospital La Fe, VAlencia Spain