Dear Editor:
I am writing to make some observations to the somewhat
hysterical (in my opinion) reaction to the cell phone towers at
Luigi Aprea School.
Dear Editor:
I am writing to make some observations to the somewhat hysterical (in my opinion) reaction to the cell phone towers at Luigi Aprea School.
The power levels generated by each transmitter are very low – typically on the order of 10 watts. Moreover the signal looses energy very rapidly and is transmitted in a beam that is not directed at the ground, so typical exposures near the antennas are in the 1 uW per square centimeter range (one millionth of a watt). By contrast, we are constantly exposed to many other sources of radiation with much higher energy levels. For example: a microwave oven is allowed to leak 1 mW per square centimeter (one thousandth of a watt).
On a sunny day, the power levels generated by the sun are as high as 0.1 watt per square centimeter, or 10,000 times greater than the cell site transmitter. And if you are flying in a plane, your radiation exposure includes particle radiation.
I am an electrical engineer and have read numerous articles in the trade journals over the years on the health risks of cell phones, and I never have heard of a single study that conclusively demonstrated that cell phones are a health hazard (imagine the panic in the cell phone industry if such a study did exist).
It seems to me that in an era when the school district is strapped for cash, $900 per month is nothing to sniff at. Instead of reacting to the opinions of one or two individuals, perhaps the school district should solicit input from everyone in the area before asking Cingular to remove the towers.
Meanwhile, all the Cingular customers in the northwest quad enduring the poor service – grin and bear it.
For those who would like more information on this issue, check the following
web site: http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/rfpresentation/microwaveapplication/sld011_ma.htm
Dan Moyles, Gilroy
Submitted Monday, Dec. 2 to ed****@ga****.com
