Police officers sue force over 'radio injuries'
Police officers are preparing to sue their own force over a series of illnesses they claim were caused by the radio system they use while out on patrol.
By Nigel Bunyan
Published: 1:35PM GMT 01 Jan 2010
The Lancashire Constabulary was the first in Britain to try out the Airwave network, designed specifically to give longer range and more capacity to the emergency services and the military.
Nine years after its introduction scores of officers are claiming that radiation emissions from the system have caused them to suffer such ailments as nausea, headaches, stomach pains and skin rashes.
The local branch of the Police Federation has logged 176 individual complaints, and now senior officials at the police authority are seeking legal advice on how to deal with them.
They have already made budget changes to allow for "a contingent liability in respect of Airwave liability claims".
Critics of the system say its suppliers – Motorola, who provide the handsets, and O2, who control the network – have made changes to prevent "audio anomalies".
However, the Health and Safety Executive has investigated the controversy and declared that there is no link between the radio technology and the reported ailments.
Lancashire officers began to pilot the system in 2001. Since then the Government has spent £2.9 billion on introducing the system to all 53 forces in England, Scotland and Wales.
John O'Reilly, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, said: "When we first got it there were all sorts of problems, including breakdowns in communication and certain parts of the county being unreachable.
"But then most or all of the problems were ironed out over a period of time by improved technology."
A spokesman for Lancashire Police Authority said: "We have received a number of liability claims for injury allegedly resulting from the use of the Constabulary's mobile communications equipment.
"This is an ongoing matter and the outcomes from the claims are not yet known."
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Happy New Year's Martin!
Thanks for keeping us all informed. I am sure that collectively, all of us working on this issue, have saved lives and prevented injuries.
I am helping to spread the word by posting my cell tower report online -
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24352550/Cell-Tower-Rpt
I will be sending this to my elected officials and policy makers as well as to other people involved in this issue. (I think that includes everyone as it effects all of us.)
Please feel free to share this link with your email list.
~ Angela
Angela Flynn
Wireless Radiation Alert Network
WRAN
301-229-0282
FAX 301-229-4752
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Caution Grounding Pads and Sheets:
Being Grounded Is Not Equal to Zero-Field Exposure
There is always quite some confusion about electric field exposures in the context of grounding sheets. Some researchers report decreased stress hormones during use, other users report increased discomfort. As the excellent article by Dr. Martin Virnich and Martin Schauer shows, a decrease in body voltage does not necessarily indicate a decrease in the electric field strength. My recommendation: BEFORE engaging in any type of shielding or grounding strategy, always establish the current electromagnetic field exposure levels with appropriate testing equipment in order to avoid making a bad situation worse.
My English translation of original article:
http://www.buildingbiology.ca/pdf/ACHTUNG_ABSCHIRMDECKE.pdf
German original:
http://www.baubiologie-virnich.de/pdf/Achtung_Abschirmdecke.pdf
http://www.buildingbiology.ca/leguides.php
With best regards,
Katharina
Katharina Gustavs,
Rainbow Consulting
5237 Mt. Matheson Rd.
info@buildingbiology.ca
Fax: 250-642-2785
250-642-2774
www.buildingbiology.ca
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