Fears over risks from 5G signals in rural areas – Yorkshire Post Letters

I REFER to a recent article about mobile phone signal blackspots, such as Lastingham, Hovingham, Castle Howard, Rosedale, Farndale, Hutton-le-hole, Appletreewick, Swaledale and Coverdale, and that they are to be considered by North Yorkshire County Council to take part in a Government 5G Trial, with a “network build phase” beginning early this month.

The article says that 5G follows previous generations of mobile technology such as 3G and 4G. It does. However, 5G is much more than that.

5G refers to the “5th generation” wireless technology. It will carry massive amounts of data which the industry projects will be generated from the “internet of things” (IoT), such as driverless cars and smart cities.

To achieve this, 5G will need to use higher millimetre wave frequencies never used before in the internet and telecommunications industry.

The new frequencies do not travel well through buildings and trees. 5G would require hundreds of thousands of small antennas to be installed, for instance, on lampposts and utility poles. 5G will also need thousands of new satellites to be in space to ensure support to the wireless capability. This will be beamed 24/7.

In an appeal to the European Union, more than 180 scientists and doctors from 36 countries warn of the dangers of 5G in the EU 5G Appeal.

They are concerned that the launch will increase massively our involuntary exposure to electromagnetic radiation. They recommend a moratorium on the roll-out of the technology until potential hazards for humans and the environment have been fully investigated.

Many countries are concerned about the effects of 5G, particularly near schools. In February 2020, Switzerland put a moratorium in place to carry out testing.

Michael Mansfield QC has joined with doctors, scientists and engineers to launch Action Against 5G. They will be commencing a legal challenge against the UK Government for its failure to take notice of the health risks of wireless radiation and the increased exposure we will have from 5G. I urge residents to research this technology. Share information with your neighbours and contact your MP, local parish, district and county councillors regarding any concerns.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor