⚠️ URGENT: Important Clarification on Industry Exclusion Zones ⚠️
The EM Radiation Research Trust recently issued a warning to the community regarding the industry’s MBNL “Small Cell Planning Guidance” document, which promotes exclusion zones of just 25–50 metres. Alarmingly, this document is being circulated by some grassroots campaigns without including independent, science-based recommendations that call for setbacks of at least 500 metres from homes and 1,000 metres from schools.
This risks unintentionally endorsing industry guidelines and may give councils, government, and telecom companies the opportunity to claim they are acting in line with residents’ wishes.
Emerging International Best Practice on Setbacks
Globally, several jurisdictions now mandate or recommend greater protection distances between wireless infrastructure and sensitive sites:
- Hawai‘i County, USA (2025): 600-foot (~183m) setbacks from homes and schools
Read more - Various U.S. jurisdictions: Recommend 500m from homes and 1,000m from schools
Read more - UK speaker and campaigner Ian Jarvis: Recommends 500m setbacks based on the precautionary principle
Read factsheet
The EM Radiation Research Trust respectfully urges that all future messaging or correspondence related to mast siting, zoning, and public health reflects precautionary principles to prevent confusion and avoid mixed signals to local authorities.
✅ Communications should prioritise:
• Legal credibility (statutory duties and case law)
• Scientific integrity (independent, peer-reviewed evidence)
• Public health protection (through clearly defined, precautionary zoning standards)
We repeat: This is an urgent message to ensure our campaigns stay strong, united, and based on sound independent science.
⚠️ Warning to all campaigners and concerned residents:
Never use or share the industry zoning map without firmly rejecting it.
If you don’t clearly challenge it and include independent research calling for at least 500 metres from homes and 1,000 metres from schools, it could be wrongly seen as endorsed by the community.
🔁 Help Us Avoid Mixed Messages
Please do not repeat or circulate industry zoning distances without a clear and explicit rejection and a firm reference to safer, independent international standards.
Without this, we fear these figures could be misused to justify mast deployments just 25–50 metres from our homes.
For guidance and support, please visit:
🌐 www.radiationresearch.org