Once again local residents are having to face a fight to prevent a microwave tower being built in a residential area.

This time the proposed tower is to be situated on South Croydon Bus Garage and local residents are protesting.

The proposed tower is to be built in an area of dense population where there are many young children and is close to Purley Oaks Primary School.

Studies suggest children are a high risk group for contracting certain types of diseases linked to the towers.

There has been much research into the effect on health of electromagnetic and microwave rays from towers outside the home and from electrical wiring inside.

Many countries have reported increased incidences of cancer and illnesses connected with the immune system. Childhood leukaemia has often been mentioned.

Electricity companies and telecommunication companies are quick to deny links but they do have a vested interest.

The types of illnesses felt to be linked to towers are those which are slow to develop - cancers and auto immune diseases, which may also be affected by different genetic make-ups and lifestyles.

Testing is therefore difficult. Yet many official bodies and governments are now sitting up and taking note in Europe, Asia and the United States.

The Swiss Government, not noted for making rash statements, has let it be known through their Federal Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape that our task is to protect the public not only from agents that are known to be harmful but also from agents that might prove to be harmful', in light of credible indications' that chronic, low level exposures to microwaves may be detrimental to health.

Croydon Council frequently tells us it is committed to the environment under Local Agenda 21. It will hopefully reject planning permission for the placement of microwave towers in residential areas.

Getting information about the levels of electromagnetic radiation in homes and offices has been difficult until recently. Increasingly there are those who can assess the risks and make recommendations to limit dangers, albeit from an unlikely source.

The ancient art of Feng Shui has become increasingly popular over the past decade.

Generally perceived to be a New Age fad, it is in fact a system of environmental design.

Among its practitioners are architects, surveyors, planners, designers and environmentalists who come together to create healthy environments. Measuring for electromagnetic disturbance is just one of their skills.

For more information write to: Feng Shui Society, 377 Edgware Road, London, W2 1BT.

Gill Hale

by e-mail

December 5, 2001 17:30