Learn About EMFs

As the debate wages as to whether or not cell phone towers emit radiation that is detrimental to our health, the number of cell phone antennas installed on the roofs of buildings without citizens consent continues to grow. Many people, especially in cities, are living in buildings with antennas or next to buildings with antennas…and many are not even aware of it.

Although countless studies have shown a link between cell phone tower radiation and cancer, the government continues to profit from its relationship with the billion dollar cell phone industry and, as usual, the people lose. Here in the United States, there is absolutely no regulation regarding the installation of cell phone antennas on or near schools. In Great Britain, the UK’s Ministry of Health prohibits the placing of wireless transmitters near public schools without advance consent of the parents and teachers after a full technical briefing.

The following is a firsthand account of the installation of five high frequency
wireless transmission antennas directly across the street from PS 122 in Astoria, Queens in New York City and one parents attempt to have them removed.

The following letter was written by concerned parent Maria Gonzalez on January 10, 2005 and is courtesy of EMR Policy.

“I have been a critical care nurse for 24 years, 20 of those as the assistant critical care coordinator for the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Trauma Center of a major hospital in New York City, St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center. I have seen death in many guises and strongly fear what radiation exposure can do to human cells and the horrible diseases that can result.

At some point around the end of October or the beginning of November, 2004, twelve cell phone antennas were installed on the roof of 21-80 21st Street. This building is located directly across the street from our local elementary school P.S. 122, in Astoria, Queens. Of the twelve antennas, five face directly into the school building. I do not recall the actual installation of the antennas themselves, but several neighbors remember seeing a large truck with a crane and this is how I assume the towers got onto the roof.

One day as I was picking up my daughters after school I noticed an unmarked white truck in front of the building and several workers working on some large cables. I crossed the street and asked them what they were doing and what those things were up on the roof. One of them very clearly and with a bit of annoyance said to me that they were installing “solar panels” and walked away. Other parents also questioned these workers and were told the same thing.

The following week my husband was at the school to pick up the kids and he came home with a flyer that was being given to the parents by a gentleman outside the school. The gentleman worked for Council member Peter Vallone Jr., and the flyer was to inform us that cell phone antennas had been installed at the location I mentioned above and that once they were turned on they would be beaming RF radiation into our classrooms.

I have two beautiful, healthy daughters, ages 7 and 12. Both attend the school and both sit in classrooms whose windows face directly at the Nextel antennas. I am extremely concerned and frightened for the safety and long-term health of my children. I do not want to see one single child harmed by the actions of Nextel.

Council member Vallone has been in contact with the owner of the building. When informed of our concerns, the owner expressed shock and indicated that he wanted no part of anything which could harm children. He is willing to abrogate the contract. Nextel refuses to do the same. I ran into the owner one day and asked him about the antennas and how he could do this with so many children now being placed in harm’s way. I sensed genuine concern on his part. He told me that he did not really know what they were putting up there. He did not know that there is radiation being emitted from these antennas. He has indicated that Nextel did not clearly explain to him the entire situation. He also indicated to me, as he did to Council member Vallone, that he would like to break the contract and have the antennas removed from his building but that Nextel will not allow it. The building owner has hired an attorney to represent him in this matter.

Our school is a wonderful school, it is a blue ribbon school and considered one of the top schools in the city. 1300 students ranging in ages from 4 through 12 years old attend the school. The administration, faculty and staff number over 100. As a result of my initial involvement and strong opposition I have become the school and parent and community representative in this matter. Nextel came into our community and without any notification or discussion chose to place these antennas irresponsibly, in close proximity to our school.

The building on which these antennas are situated is 3 stories tall. Our school is 5 stories tall. These antennas will beam RF radiation directly into our 4th floor classrooms. Our children will be subjected to this exposure for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for many years. Nextel insists the antennas are safe yet can offer no definitive proof. They base their claims on studies which are outdated and which have been funded by the industry itself. Many other studies, especially from abroad, are raising valid and serious issues and concerns about the long term health effects of these antennas. Clearly there is doubt here. In such a situation and especially where it involves children the obvious thing to do would be to exercise caution.

These antennas should never have been placed near the school and they should now be immediately removed. Serious studies need to be undertaken to determine the effects of these towers on human health. These studies will take time and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to think that we will allow our children to be guinea pigs in the interim. Obviously if 5 or 10 years from now it is determined that there is a safety issue it will be too late for children who have been exposed for all that time.

We have presented our arguments to Nextel. They claim to be a good corporate citizen yet they continue with the plan to turn the antennas on in total disregard to the wishes of our community and with no concern for the safety of our children.

They claim to have done everything according to the law. What rights do we as citizens and members of a community have when it comes to the placement of cell phone antennas? Apparently, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 preempts many of the arguments we would make in opposition. New York City has shown no real concern in the proliferation which is now taking place.

First and foremost these antennas must be removed from their close proximity to our children. Then the laws need to be changed and we, as citizens need our rights back.”

Since children are growing, their cells are dividing more rapidly, making them more susceptible to cellular mutations (aka cancer). Children also have thinner skulls, which allows radiation to penetrate the brain more deeply. (1)

Footnotes:

(1) “Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age” by Dr. George Carlo and Martin Schram, pg 216