Cell phone towers could be subjected to regular and closer monitoring after they have been erected, Government has revealed.

The move comes after residents voiced concerns about the potential health effects the towers could have on surrounding residents.

At present although the towers undergo accredited checks when they become operational to ensure they are safe, there is no prescribed process for monitoring the structures afterwards.

A Government spokesman told The Royal Gazette that a raft of Government departments were looking into the issue. The move has been welcomed by Stuart Hayward, chairman of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce.

“When cell towers become operational, they are checked to ensure that the power levels and frequencies are within the ranges and tolerances prescribed in their licenses,” the Government spokesman said. “Historically, experience has shown that subsequent checks were not necessary, since any deviations would be readily apparent by reports of interference with other networks.

“The Ministries of Education and Economic Development and of Health, Seniors and Environment and the Regulatory Authority have, however, begun discussions to consider revisions to that protocol.”

Mr Hayward said that while the move was a step in the right direction, a Government Green Paper was needed so the issue could be looked at in depth.

“The main dispute between the regulators and the neighbours centre around health issues, and whether decisions are well-enough informed,” he said. “As an example of the gap in oversight, it is unclear who, if any individual or agency monitors potentially dangerous cell tower radiation once they are installed.

“It’s good for us to hear that there are plans to review and hopefully revise the protocols. We would like to see regular and frequent monitoring of these cell phone towers.

“And the information gleaned from this monitoring should be disclosed to the public and not be kept totally in house. Because we see this area as being such a tangle we continue to call for a green paper on the topic as it would help answer questions that we confine to raise for us the public and the regulators.”

Earlier this month residents, who were concerned about the possible health effects of a new cell phone tower, launched an appeal to stop it being put up. Digicel’s plans to put a mobile cell tower at 49 South Road, Devonshire, was approved by the Development Applications Board (DAB) last month. But more than 230 objections were received by the Department of Planning against the installation — a movable cell site on wheels with a 65-foot antenna capable of extending to 100 feet.

Referring to the planned Devonshire installation Mr Hayward added: “From discussions with realtors/surveyors we are assured that property values are affected by the presence of cell phone towers, and while it isn’t our only concern, it must be taken into account.

“If someone is choosing between purchasing a house in proximity to a cell tower or one that is not, all other things being equal, their choice would likely prefer distance from a cell tower.

“In regard to levels of exposure to RF emissions from these towers, Bermuda has adopted the FCC regulations which are among the lowest standards for emissions.

“We are not convinced this is appropriate for Bermuda and feel that Bermuda deserves better.”

Mr Hayward added: “We will continue to object to applications for cell towers that are being placed in proximity to residential areas all over the Island (there is one currently in Planning for a tower in Hamilton Parish — application P0319/14) and we will continue to call for a high standard of regulation of the industry.

“It is our intention that the public becomes more educated about this technology.”

After a hearing last month at which objectors raised concerns with the DAB, Digicel Bermuda chief executive Alistair Beak said the Devonshire tower was safe and necessary to remedy weak phone reception.

“The Department of Health had no objections to the planned site after conducting a full review,” he said at the time. “Although health concerns were repeatedly raised, the site will operate at levels 130 times lower than USA Federal Communications Commission guidelines. The location of the tower itself is well hidden, which will minimise the visual impact on the surrounding area.”