Before the County Planning Commission approves the placement of a cell phone tower next to Norwood’s K-12 school and early education center, some research is urgently called for.  If you are only getting AT&T’s opinion on the safety of these towers, particularly in regard to children, you must look further.

Though the cellular industry has lobbied long and hard to hide the science on the effects of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted non-stop by these towers, the FCC (not a health organization) holds the position not that EMR radiation exposure is safe, but that the science is inconclusive; the EPA, on the other hand, has recommended that EMR be classified as “ a probable human carcinogen.”

The FCC bases their standards for exposure on a 1985 study that considered only the thermal effects of this form of radiation, but the forms of cellular damage incurred are non-thermal.  Even at low levels, there is evidence of: cell tissue and DNA damage; brain tumors; suppressed immune function; depression; miscarriage; Alzheimer’s; blood / brain barrier problems, and other serious illness.  Again, children, especially small children, are dramatically more susceptible to these effects.

In a 1996 University of Utah study of  the average specific absorption rate of radiation ( measured in milliwatts per kilogram, or mW/kg ) it was found that radiation was absorbed inside the brain at a rate of 7.84 in adults, 19.77 in ten-year old, and 33.12 in five-year-olds.  If that doesn’t get the attention of parents with kids in our school, I’m not sure what would.

I have a cell phone, and I’m all for good signal, but I use my phone as sparingly as possible.  This tower will emit constantly.  In a rural area, with plenty of open space and lots of high ground, I am baffled that the county would think that the best placement of this tower would be in my neighborhood, next to a school and preschool.

In 1996, the cellular industry spent $39 million lobbying Congress to ensure passage of the Telecommunications Act, which made it nearly impossible for citizens to oppose tower placement based on health concerns ( no matter what the coming science here and abroad might reveal ).  But the good news is that local elected officials can control the number and placement of towers to protect the health and property rights of their constituents, and I hope that common sense will prevail in this matter.

The above information is easily researched.  Googling “ cell phone tower health effects “ will yield plenty of results.  Karen J. Rogers has an excellent and well foot-noted article at  httm://www.scribd.com/doc/3773284/ Health – Effects – from – Cell – Phone – Tower – Radiation

I would urge concerned parents, and beg the commissioners and planning commission, to take the time to research this, and choose a new location.  Please note, the planning dept  ( box 548, Telluride ) is only accepting written comment through 8 / 1.  A meeting on the subject will be held in Norwood at the Glockson Building, 1120 Summit St., Norwood, on August 8th.

– Matt Twomey