It appears the anti-cell phone tower activists are busy
spreading hysteria again. Ludicrous! Consider the situation.
Dear Editor,
It appears the anti-cell phone tower activists are busy spreading hysteria again. Ludicrous! Consider the situation. We have experienced more than 60 years of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from FM and TV stations without even a hint or suspicion of any adverse health effects and, to my knowledge, none have ever been claimed. This radiation ranges in frequency from 50 to 800 megahertz. Then about 30 years ago a new source of radio frequency radiation from cell phones was introduced in the range from 1800 to 2400 megahertz.
Suddenly, all manner of adverse health effects have been propounded. Plausible? Actually no; there is no such expectation whatsoever based on the applicable scientific understanding for electromagnetic radiation.
Back in 2003, I made a presentation to the Gilroy City Council and staff regarding the science underlying electromagnetic radiation. At the time, I characterized the health risk from cell phone towers as infinitesimal based on then current data. Nevertheless, the council authorized the staff to prepare a Cell Phone Tower Ordinance with the active involvement of the anti-cell phone tower clique.
The ordinance affords them the opportunity to intervene at anytime, even when it is only an application to continue operating an existing cell phone tower; e.g., at the Wheeler Manor Senior Health Center in Gilroy.
Well guess what? Since the ordinance was implemented the situation has radically changed. Both the cell phone and cell phone tower health risk is no longer infinitesimal; it is non-existent.
In May, 2006 the World Health Organization concluded, after 12 years spent examining all available data, that there was no credible evidence of any adverse health effects from cell phone tower radiation.
Keep in mind that WHO is a legitimate scientific organization staffed with technically competent, qualified personnel. Further, WHO, like the FDA, is charged with protecting public health. They have a positive bias for finding and exposing even the most miniscule health threat.
What should the residents and neighbors of the Wheeler Manor Senior Housing Center do? First of all they should relax.
The Consulting Engineering Firm has already determined, by actual measurements, that their exposure intensity is well below the FDA limit. The tiny exposure they are experiencing will cause them no more harm than they incurred from more than 60 years of exposure to FM and TV radiation. Second, they need to realize that they are being manipulated by a clique of sincere but profoundly misguided activists.
They would be far better served by relying on technical experts that are actually qualified by education and experience to understand the cell phone/cell phone tower technology. The Consulting Engineering Firm hired by T-Mobile comes to mind!
Mark F. Lyons, Gilroy
