24 hours on a mobile phone is equivalent to 1,600 chest x-rays.

24 hours on a mobile phone is equivalent to 1,600 chest x-rays.

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Walter Graham, a long time campaigner against wireless connectivity and mobile phone masts, has expressed concern for the health of residents and workers, who he claims, will be exposed to radiation 24 hours a day.

THE installation of Wi-Fi in the centre of Newcastle, England, is "risking the population living in the town", according to a Downpatrick environmentalist.

Planning is already underway for the installation of wireless broadband in the resort town and it is expected to be operational by the end of March.

The aim of installing Wi-Fi from the bus station to the harbour is to enable broadband access to be provided to people using laptops, or mobile phones, from anywhere along the Main Street.

Mr Graham said while it may benefit tourists passing through the town for a day, it will have long term health implications for residents of the area.

"People working full-time in offices will be exposed to this on a daily basis. They will be hit with radiation the same frequency as that produced from a microwave oven."

Mr Graham said research carried out by professor Olle Johansson from Karlolinska Institute in Stockholm revealed how spending 24 hours on a mobile phone is equivalent to 1,600 chest x-rays.

"There is no logical reason for this to be coming into Newcastle.

"You don't need to have Wi-Fi in a town centre. There already is free excess to the internet in the town's library.

"Why would you want your town turned into a microwave oven?" asked Mr Graham.

Caroline Richman, who lives close to Main Street has called on Down Council to delay the implementation of Wi-Fi until the community has been consulted.

The mother of four young children described the fact Newcastle is to become a Wi-Fi hotspot as 'alarming'.

"To notice that suddenly Newcastle is to increase Wi-Fi exposure on the unsuspecting population at a time when internationally, many countries are attempting to reduce exposure, is unbelievable.

"What this proposal means is that every second, every minute, every hour and every day, our community will be zapped by microwave radiation - while research shows that there is no safe level.

"This modern day threat is something you can't see, hear, smell, feel or taste. Children are particularly vulnerable to cellular damage as their nervous systems are still developing.

"I do not want the children of this area blasted with this electromagnetic radiation while they sleep in their beds," the concerned mother said.

Thanks to Gabrielle and the team for another fine season. Looking forward to season 5.