Part two of two
As mentioned in the first part of this commentary, and by way of introducing the second part, over the years, a great deal of information and medical data has been collected on the proliferation of cell towers and the associated risk they pose in health hazards. There is, to me, an overwhelming amount of evidence that living near a cell tower can cause and greatly increases the likelihood of cancer caused by the exposure to the electromagnetic fields emitted by these towers.
Humans are exposed to more than 100 million times the amount of electromagnetic radiation than our grandparents. Additionally cell phone tower electromagnetic radiation is linked to the development and acceleration of cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and numerous other health compromising consequences. The telecom industry denies the evidence and says that claims of ill health effects from cell tower radiation are unfounded. But given the discussion ongoing in Lake County over the placement of new cell towers, consideration of health risks is important in determining location.
A study performed by doctors in Germany monitoring 1000 residents who had lived in an area around two cell phone towers for 10 years showed that during the last 5 years of the study, those living in these areas had a newly-diagnosed cancer rate three times higher than those who lived further away.
Breast cancer topped the list, but cancers of the prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin melanoma, lung and blood cancer were all increased. Cancer rates anywhere where cell towers have been installed have shown to exceed 10 times what would otherwise be the average in those areas.
Besides the risk of cancer and other diseases linked to cell towers, the following other disorders are also linked:
• Genetic mutations
• Memory disruptions
• Hindered learning
• ADD
• Insomnia
• Brain disorders
• Hormonal imbalances
• Infertility
• Dementia
• Heart complications
These dangers make it imperative to take action. It’s clear that cell towers should be located as far away from residential areas as possible and city, county and state officials and agencies should take heed of public safety concerns when considering cell tower site locations. Decisions as to where these sites are to be located is a paramount matter of public safety.
It should also be considered that not all cell tower related cancers occur right away. The effects of exposure are cumulative within the body. The longer term studies clearly indicate that the effects of cell tower radiation exposure accumulates over time before the damage is detected and by then it may be irreversible because after several years of exposure, by then the body’s defenses and repair mechanisms have been exhausted and overwhelmed.
Over time, our bodies become stressed by exposure to this type of radiation every day. This affects our health in many ways. Other cell tower radiation exposure health effects include tumors, diabetes, heart rhythm disturbances, inflammatory conditions, joint and limb pains, frequent infections, headaches, sleep disturbances, depression and memory problems. Doctors are discovering all kinds of illnesses showing similar patterns where patients have had a higher incidence of this type of radiation exposure.
The current legal limit for cell site radiation in the US and the UK is 1000 microwatts per square centimeter. Other countries have set more conscientious limits as low as 1 microwatt per square centimeter. Switzerland, Italy, China and others manage perfectly well with a limit of 10 microwatts per square centimeter.
The disparity manifests most where government is less concerned with safety than with the economic and political motives that propel the cell tower movement forward at a dangerous pace.
Some have questioned how close one can be to a cell tower and still be safe. Most studies show that living within a quarter of a mile of a cell tower poses significant health risks including a three times increased risk of cancer.
This should not be taken lightly when companies are proposing sites for new cell tower installations in Lake County.
I urge and encourage you to contact your city, county and state decision makers to make your opinions heard on this subject.
Howard Glasser is a Kelseyville resident
