5G is as safe as talc or pickled vegetables, says digital minister

SUPERFAST 5G mobile signals are no more dangerous than “talcum powder and pickled vegetables”, a government minister said.

Matt Warman, a digital minister, stepped in after some residents in Totnes, Devon, persuaded officials to declare a moratorium on installing the high-frequency network.

Although the decision had no force in planning law, campaign leader John Kitson said the action by Totnes town council was a warning to ministers that they cannot bring in 5G without more research into its health effects.

One campaigner had taken to wearing anti-radiation hoods due to worries that 5G was a serious health hazard.

It comes days after Chancellor Sajid Javid announced a £5billion Government package to support the rollout of broadband, 5G and other high-speed networks.

Mr Warman said: “There is no credible evidence to back up [these] concerns and huge evidence for the economic benefit of gigabit-capable networks.”

He added that the Government “will support work to bust health myths over 5G, which the World Health Organisation say poses the same risk as talcum powder and pickled vegetables”.

However, campaigners say residents are taking their message seriously and more than 1,600 have signed a petition for more safety research.

Activist Rosi Gladwell, 70, told The Daily Mail that she is sensitive to electro-magnetic waves and uses a meter to measure electro-magnetic radiation.

Ms Gladwell has even taken to wearing an “anti-signal hood” at some sites where she says signals are high, such as airports.