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Acknowledging the concerns of people about radio frequency (RF) fields from mobile phones and their base stations, Vodafone is insisting that current scientific review does not point towards an impact on human health if exposure levels are within guidelines adopted by the World Health Organisation.
“The company is committed to ensuring that people are better informed about mobile phone base stations and health. The energy used by RF signals is the same as that used in television, radio, walkie-talkie and baby listening devices and operate at low power. Based on current scientific review there is no evidence of an impact on human health when exposure levels are within ICNIRP guidelines, which are adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Malta Communications Authority (MCA),” Vodafone said.
“Base stations are designed and operated in such a way that emission levels in zones accessible by the public are well below these guidelines, as shown by measurements taken regularly by Vodafone Malta. Moreover, the MCA carries out frequent audits on most of the sites to measure emission levels and results are published on the MCA website www.mca.org.mt. Vodafone Malta also submits an emission report to MEPA within eight (8) weeks of site installation,” the mobile phone company said.
The company added that it adheres to the August 2000 report by the Department of Health and takes into consideration the listed 'Precautionary Principles'. “The Wardija base station site was identified after appropriate consideration and is located about 350 metres away from the nearest school,” the company said.
Vodafone insisted that before starting work on the site in Wardija, the company obtained the necessary planning permits from MEPA and encroachment permits from the Lands Department. “The company abided with all conditions stipulated in these permits. Whilst taking into consideration the needs of its customers in this area, Vodafone also went to lengthy measures to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Thus, all material required to build the base station in Wardija was carried manually with wheelbarrows,” Vodafone said.
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