David Haws gives a clear and informed answer to the uniformed and hysterical outcry against the supposed dangers of mobile masts to health (Letters, November 16).

He rightly repeats that radiation from a typical mast is at least 1,000 times weaker than a handset held to the ear - a fact confirmed by the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research Group (a government scientific panel). Research on every aspect of mobile phones and their usage is ongoing and other bodies such as the US Cancer Research Institute and the Journal of the Medical Association found no link with brain cancer.

The only valid logical reason for objection to placing of masts is on aesthetic grounds, and the 'not-in-my-back-yard' concern operates where people fear a loss in value to their property. Since the level of saturation has now reached a figure whereby 80 per cent of the population owns at least one mobile phone (youngsters often have two according to sales records), it is obvious that vast numbers of parents are paying for them.

As Mr Haws rightly points out, all the evidence so far is that no danger exists, but brain damage may well result from youngsters holding phones to their ears and uttering banal drivel for very long periods. Basic scientific knowledge is hardly likely to spread if one looks at subjects being taken by pupils in GCSEs, let alone A-Levels. Physics and maths are being avoided in favour of 'soft' subjects everywhere.

Peter Perryman (ex-British Telecom)
Churchbury Lane
Enfield