As phone masts are expanding throughout the UK, many landlords and their tenants are questioning whether or not mobile phone masts can cause cancer. A landlord’s perspective may differ from that of others due to their responsibility for tenant safety and property value. So, do mobile phone masts cause cancer? Current science has ruled out this claim. The amount of radiation produced by mobile phone masts is below the acceptable safety level set by both the World Health Organisation and other reputable health organisations.

In this article, we will look at the science behind mobile phone masts, answer some common questions regarding these sites and look at some of the reasons for the continued concerns that landlords may have related to telecommunication opportunities.

The British Medical Journal reports that there is no definite association between childhood cancer and exposure to mobile phone base stations. The UK government’s position on this matter is that there may initially be an increase in the total amount of radio-wave exposure to citizens once the 5G is added to the current network or expanded to an existing area, but overall exposure will continue to remain very low compared to established guidelines and is not expected to have any significant impact on public health.

What is a Phone Mast and How Does it Work?

A phone mast, often referred to as a base station, is a structure that provides wireless communication by transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals through the use of antennas. By means of the RF signals from the base station, mobile devices can connect to make phone calls, send text messages, or access the internet.

Mobile phone masts emit non-ionising radiation, which differs from ionising radiation such as X-rays. Non-ionising radiation does not damage DNA and is not associated with cancer risk.

Why Are There Fears Regarding Cancer Risk Associated With Mobile Phones?

There is no clear evidence that shows there is any risk associated with mobile telephony, but many people view mobile phone masts as a potential risk due to their proximity to where they live, work and go to school. The visibility of these masts can lead to increased anxiety amongst people living and working close to them, even if they actually present little or no risk.

Several reasons have contributed to the prevailing concerns regarding mobile phone mast exposure:

• Media coverage and anecdotal evidence
• Misunderstanding of the term ‘radiation’
• Confusion between nuclear radiation and RF exposure
• Fear of new technology

What Does The Research Say About Mobile Phone Masts and Cancer?

Extensive research over the past three decades across the globe has yet to show any reliable evidence linking mobile telephone mast radiation to cancer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have both confirmed that levels of exposure associated with the use of mobile base stations are well below what is defined as safe.

How Regulatory Oversight Works

The regulatory oversight of phone mast safety involves a number of elements, including:

• Complying with regulations set out by Ofcom.
• Obtaining permits from your local government.
• Monitoring compliance with Ofcom and UKHSA guidelines.

In the real world, the amount of exposure to 5G phone masts typically falls well below national safety standards, providing plenty of room for safety margins.

Why Landlords Ask Questions About Phone Masts

Legal Duty to Tenants

As a landlord, you are legally obligated to have a duty of care to your tenants and must therefore respond responsibly to any issue or event that could be seen as a potential threat to the health of a tenant, regardless of whether that issue is capable of being proven.

The Value of Property

Although hundreds of studies have proven that phone masts do not pose any threat to human health, the perception of the presence or absence of a health risk affects potential demand for rental properties by tenants.

• Buyers’ decision-making when purchasing a property.
• The overall attractiveness of your property to prospective buyers.

Long-Term Rental Income from Telecom Lease Arrangements

Installing a 5G phone mast on your land allows you to negotiate a long-term telecommunications lease with the telecom that installs the phone mast in return for a stable, long-term income stream.

These types of leases can generate excellent returns, but only when all legal issues and potential reputational ramifications are thoroughly evaluated before entering into a lease agreement.

Effective Strategies for Landlords to Address Surrounding Tenants’ Concerns

Landlords can take the following opportunity to actively respond to concerns from tenants:

Disseminate educational material from a reputable source, such as the WHO or Cancer Research UK:

• Be as open as feasible regarding equipment being located in a given property
• Have an honest and open line of communication with their tenant
• Provide security and reassurance to their tenant via data
• Consult with professional sources when necessary

Clear and honest communication from landlords is usually an effective way to eliminate doubt and foster trust between the tenant and the landlord.

How Arc Partners Aids Landlords

In working with speciality partners such as Arc Partners (Telecoms), landlords have developed a successful structure designed to positively impact the overall operation of their business.

Arc Partners provides the following assistance to their property owners:

• Conducting evaluations of the suitability of each location through site evaluations;
• Negotiating telecommunications leases for obtaining the highest rent possible from landlords;
• Ensuring compliance with current law in Great Britain and the UK, through the provision of processes necessary to maintain compliance;
• Protecting both the long-term value of each landlord’s property and their existing relationships with their tenants.

Landlords may have the confidence to make well-informed, commercially viable decisions and appropriately resolve potential issues or concerns through the quality of the analysis and negotiations conducted by Arc Partners.

Future Telecommunications Infrastructure and Health Studies

The number of telecommunications structures in Great Britain (such as mobile phone masts) will continue to increase, as digital connectivity continues to expand. The scientific research community and the global health organisations continue to perform research to keep up with technological advances associated with telecommunications infrastructure.

The vast majority of the scientific literature does not support any causal association between telecommunications infrastructure and cancer; in fact, the results of current scientific literature may reinforce most of the previous scientific literature on cancer.

Conclusion

Current scientific research indicates that mobile phone masts do not cause cancer. Continued exposure at levels to the maximum allowable limit is sufficiently low to justify continued monitoring by the Government and other regulatory bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions for Can Phone Masts Cause Cancer:

Q. Do phone masts have the same risk of causing cancer in the UK as they do in the US?

There is no scientific evidence linking phone masts and the incidence of cancer. The exposure levels from phone masts are extremely low in comparison to the international standards for public health protection.

Q. Is it safe to be around a mobile phone mast?

Living near a phone mast is safe. The levels of radiofrequency exposure people get from living near a phone mast are almost always well below the limits set for the use of mobile communications. Many studies show no negative health effects due to phone mast exposure.

Q. Are the potential health risks of 5G mobile phone masts greater than those of other types of telecommunications networks?

5G mobile phone masts emit the same type of non-ionising radiation as all other mobile communication systems, including 4G. All mobile communication systems operate under the same strict safety standards. Therefore, there are no additional health risks associated with 5G than with earlier generations of mobile communication.

Q. How do landlords benefit from installing mobile phone masts?

Landlords can easily generate a reliable source of rental income from a phone mast easily. Mobile phone masts act as long-term, reliable sources of income and provide critical infrastructure necessary for mobile communications to take place.

Q. Do mobile phone masts decrease the value of property?

There is no scientific basis for any of the claims relating mobile phone masts to impacts on property values. However, as a general principle of real estate, perceptions by the general public about phone mast health effects could influence the value of property. Nevertheless, if concerns about mobile phone masts can be addressed in a clear, direct, and open manner, tenant confidence will be maintained, and those tenants will be happy to remain on the properties.

Q. What do the UK authorities say about phone mast safety?

Following ICNIRP guidelines, UK authorities confirm that phone masts are safe when operating within regulated limits. With this continuous monitoring, UK authorities ensure compliance and protect public health.