Category: EMF-home-inspection
Home Inspection focus on sleeping areas and places where your family spends the most time.
Letter: The threat from electronic pollution
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South Corvallis’ “urban renewal district” is now experiencing ongoing, increasing impacts of electromagnetic field (EMF) pollution on human health, the environment, and property values.
My South Corvallis house and backyard now have high microwave readings — readings warranting “Severe Concern” from experts at the Building Biology Institute, an international group of professionals specializing in building design, functionality, health, and safety (bbi.org).
Living in EMF unprotected homes or sleeping outside is now potentially more health impacting than recommended, following wireless communication devices’ deployment in defiance of alarming scientific findings.
Will property values and related taxes plummet as people discover this?
This is an EMF wake-up call. Primary impacts originate with cellphones and towers, recently installed “smart meters,” and other sources of electromagnetic pollution resulting in adverse human biological effects.
New digital utility meters produce high-frequency, variable-intensity, randomly-pulsed signals 24/7. Human cells lack specific protective mechanisms against such “freakish frequencies” in the 0.9–2.4 GHz range. Before we could adapt to such physiologically aberrant electromagnetic signals, we might go extinct, or logically remove or curtail such incompatible technologies.
The night “smart meters” were installed — two 50 feet away — my sleep deteriorated 30-40 percent in duration, depth, and restfulness, eventually requiring more than $1,500 in EMF mitigation expenses. My cat’s health deteriorated quickly, dying about three months later.
Children, pets, and smaller life forms are more susceptible to electro-pollution due to greater penetration of their smaller bodies and brains.
5G is microwave suicide! Naivete or denial won’t protect you.
Read MoreDoes 5G technology increase our health risks?
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Fear of cellphone radiation effects on the human body is nothing new, and we are constantly warned about the possible consequences of regular exposure to wireless signals.
Skeptics say that none of the studies are conclusive so far. And the wireless industry is always ready to reassure the public that there’s no concrete link between cellphone exposure and health issues.
But with the current rollout of the much faster and more powerful 5G standard, will it put us at greater risk?
Related article: What is 5G all about anyway? Click here to read more about the ongoing 5G revolution.
What’s different about 5G anyway?
First, 5G operates on higher radio frequencies than older cellphone standards. While previous 1G, 2G, 3G and even 4G networks work between 700 MHz to 6 GHz frequencies, 5G works in the ultra-high 28 to 100 GHz frequencies (also known as the millimeter wave bands).
The good news is that these ultra-high frequencies allow for blazing fast data transfers (5G can wirelessly achieve 10 Gbps in theory, imagine that). These bands are less congested, too, with less interference from other wireless signals.
The bad news? These higher frequency waves can’t travel long distances nor pass well through objects. To compensate, antennas (mini cellular stations, really) will have to be installed every 500 feet on average. Soon, there will likely be a 5G antenna on every lamp post you see. This means our exposure to radio frequency radiation will be higher than ever.
Remember we’re not just dealing with cellular signals. We’re also constantly bombarded by radio frequency radiation from other appliances including Wi-Fi routers and Wi-Fi enabled gadgets.
Bonus: The future may get here faster than we think, as the world races toward 5G wireless technology. 5G will be faster, revolutionary and could even fight terrorism?
In this Komando on Demand podcast, Kim looks at why 5G is both astonishing and dangerous.
Radio frequencies and your health
So will this bombardment of radio radiation increase our health risks such as cancer and other ailments? One thing about cellphone radiation is that it’s low energy so it’s generally safer than high-energy radiation sources like X-rays.
However, past studies have certainly linked certain types of brain cancer and fertility problems to cellphone use. Although these are not conclusive, radio frequency radiation is linked to health issues like:
- Brain cancer, tumors of the acoustic nerve (necessary for hearing and balance) and the salivary glands
- Lower sperm counts and inactive, less mobile sperm
- Headaches and effects on learning and memory, hearing, behavior and sleep
Some people also claim that they have EMF hypersensitivity and say exposure to radio frequency radiation trigger multiple symptoms like headaches, muscle aches and pain, rashes, insomnia and nosebleeds.
The FDA believes that the current scientific data does not show an “an association between exposure to radiofrequency from cell phones and adverse health outcomes” but it continuously reviews new studies and research that could prove this otherwise.
At this point, the FDA is basically saying that the current data suggest that the cellular industry’s radiofrequency safety limits are still acceptable for protecting our health.
However, on a related note, the FDA also admits that “extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields” are possibly carcinogenic to humans.
With so many cellphone users now, the age-old question of whether they can cause health problems really needs to be answered. Listen to this Komando on Demand podcast as Kim takes a deep dive into this extremely important topic.
Tap or click below to listen to this free Komando on Demand podcast!
How about 5G? Although there are no studies that link 5G and its millimeter wave band use to significant health risks (research will take time) yet, why risk it?There are various ways to limit your exposure to your cellphone’s radiation and it’s the least you can do to protect yourself from the potential dangers.
How to reduce cellphone exposure
Here are the factors that determine your exposure to cellphone radiation — your distance from the phone, the strength of the signal, and how long and how often you use the phone. Basically, the farther away the cellphone is from your body, the less the exposure.
Here are the key points to ponder:
- Increase the distance between your cellphone and your body by using the speakerphone or a headset (Bluetooth headsets have weaker EMFs).
- Opt to send text messages instead of calling.
- If you’re streaming or downloading files with your phone, try to keep it away from your head and body.
- Do not carry it in your pocket or directly on your body unless the phone is off.
- Take off your headset when you’re not on call. In addition, I think this applies to music listening with wireless headphones too (AirPods, wireless earbuds, etc.)
- Do not to sleep with your cellphone in your bed or near your head.
When are you most at risk?
It is also recommended that you limit your cellphone use when reception is weak. Your phone’s RF energy is stronger when your cellphone only shows one or two bars. If this is the case, try increasing the distance between you and the phone by using the speaker or a headset.
Here are situations when a cellphone’s RF signal is the strongest:
- At the start of a call, when the phone is trying to connect to a cell tower
- As mentioned, when a cellphone only has one or two bars
- When in a moving car, bus or train (as the phone switches from one tower to another)
- When you are streaming music or movies or downloading or sending large files
Furthermore, keeping cellphone calls short (use the speakerphone for longer conversations) and to not rely on gadgets that claim to shield or neutralize cellphone EMFs.
In related news, security flaws already found in 5G technology
Well, 5G is barely a few months old, and — no surprise — researchers are poking holes in its security. Purdue University and University of Iowa researchers discovered three vulnerabilities in 5G that can be used to track someone’s location, intercept phone calls and send fraudulent text messages.
Click or tap to find out about these 5G vulnerabilities.
Read MoreAnxiety, Sleeplessness, Exhaustion or Brain Fog?
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If you’re battling with any of these issues, you’re not alone. Studies report that high levels of people have been diagnosed with:
- Anxiety 18%
- Chronic Sleep issues 18%
- Depression 7% in one study, 20-30% in others
- Fatigue & exhaustion – various reports put that number between 20-75% of people.
What’s Going On?
There isn’t one “right” answer, but chances are, you may be impacted by either the energy of the people around you, or the amount of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) that bombards most of us 24/7. In this letter, we’re going to address the need for really deep sleep at night.
During the day, your cell phone, tablet, WiFi, computer, smart meter, even your household appliances could be causing your symptoms.
Your anxiety may be caused by outside frequencies; which could explain why all the things you are doing to help yourself are less than fully effective.
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with technology. EMF (electromagnetic radiation) and WiFi from our computers, cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart meters, cell towers, etc. That could be because intuitively we know that on some level these things aren’t good for us.
A recent study even shows that rats exposed to low levels of ELF-EMF for just 7 days exhibited anxiety-like behavior! If it affects rats, just imagine what it is doing to you.
Are you safe if you don’t use a computer?
Sadly no, EMF occurs where ever there is electric power. Most appliances put off 50-60 hertz which is still enough to create problems. Plus if you or even your neighbors have WiFi, you are still being bombarded by EMF.
Artificial lighting and exposure to electromagnetic fields, including that from your devices will disrupt normal sleep patterns.
You need healthy sleep to restore your system. But according to scientist Denis Henshaw, EMF and the constant stimulation of artificial light may interfere with our resting or circadian rhythms, and the light from our devices can be a major culprit. The blue light from devices can disrupt your sleep.
Did you know that the only time your body goes into the “rest and repair” mode is when you sleep? When you have EMF coursing through your bedroom, your immune system is busy protecting you instead of “rest and repair”. Getting regular, good, deep, healing sleep may address your issues with exhaustion and anxiety, not to mention your energy level the next day.
EMF Safety Tip #7 – Get Some Great Sleep!
Create a bedroom free from EMF Radiation to improve sleep and protect your body. Here are several suggestions:
- Use curtains or blinds to make your bedroom very dark!
- Eliminate electronics (TV, Computer, Tablet, Phone) from the bedroom. Keep a clock in there if you use an alarm. Do not use your phone as your alarm!
- Put your WiFi Router on an electronic timer. Have it automatically go off at night and come on in the morning at whatever times you set.
- Any stray EMF coming into the bedroom (even from your neighbors) will significantly reduced. This is a big tip – if you have EMF coming through your bedroom from Smart Meters or WiFi in the neighborhood, your body is still on alert instead of resting.
Radiofrequency expert warns 5G radiation could be carcinogenic
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Miriam FisherThe West Australian Thursday, 14 February 2019 8:11PM
News of the rollout of 5G technology across WA has been eagerly received. But is the technology safe? One of the world’s leading radiofrequency experts isn’t so sure.
5G is the 5th generation of mobile networks and represents a significant leap forward from today’s 4G services. It promises to deliver ultrafast speeds with astonishing connectivity, transforming the world around us into a smart one with boundless potential.
But not all are welcoming the rollout, amid concerns the technology may pose serious health effects.
Professor Dariusz Leszczynski is one of the world’s leading figures on the impact of radio frequency emissions, and was one of 30 experts who made up the International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organisation 2011 evaluation group that classified all radiofrequency emissions – including parts of 5G – as potential carcinogens.
Videographic explaining fifth generation mobile, or 5G wireless technology, that will bring near-instantaneous connectivity, vast data capacity and futuristic technologies.
The expert voiced his concerns at a public lecture at Queensland’s Griffith University in 2017, urging more research into long-term health risks before deployment.
Eighteen months on Professor Leszczynski said his concerns remain, and stressed reports 5G was safe were based on “assumption” rather than proof.
“(Since the 2011 IARC classification) there have been a few published studies that strengthened the notion that wireless radiation is possibly carcinogenic (2B) or might be even probably carcinogenic (2A),” he said.
“The 5G’s millimeter-waves – similarly to 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G – were not tested for their impact on human health before deployment. Permission to deploy wireless technologies was, and remains, based solely on an assumption the low power emitted by these devices will not have an effect on human health.
“5G’s millimeter-waves were never tested for human health hazard and there is only a very limited number of studies on biological effects. In practice, we do not know what the health effects of long-term and close proximity exposures might be.
“Once deployed it will not be possible to avoid 5G radiation exposure … our environment will be very much saturated with low-power millimeter-waves in order for 5G to perform correctly.”
Dr Ken Karipidis of Australia’s radiation safety government body, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, said the agency was satisfied radiation exposure levels fell well below Australian standards, which are based on international guidelines.
“As long as exposure to radiofrequency is below the current Australian standards then there are no established health effects,” he said.
“From previous technologies – 2G, 3G and 4G – exposure has not only been below the standards, but has been many thousands of times below the standards. This is in terms of the towers.
“In terms of phones exposure varies, but it’s usually about a third of the standard.
“A lot of people are scared about 5G like it’s something different. It’s not. It uses radiofrequency fields just like older technologies.
“It’s important for ARPANSA to continue to measure this type of radiation in the environment to make sure it’s under the standard.
“There are 20-30,000 mobile phone bases in Australia so we can’t go and check all of them, but we do periodic surveys every time there’s a concern within the general public about technology. We did it a few years ago with 4 and 3G technology so it’s important we do it with 5G as well, not because we think the carriers will do something wrong but to give confidence to the Australian public.”
Principal for Telstra’s Electromagnetic Energy Strategy, Governance and Risk Management program Mike Wood said the carrier acknowledged concern, but that it took its health and safety responsibility seriously.
“The WHO and ARPANSA advise there is no substantiated scientific evidence that radiofrequency technologies that operate within national and international safety standards cause health effects,” he said.
“5G wireless networks are designed to be very efficient and minimise EME. This means both the network and device power will be low, which means low levels of electromagnetic fields on 5G.
“Telstra has conducted extensive EME testing on the 5G trial networks, and the test results show EME levels are similar to the existing 3G and 4G mobile technologies and well below the EME safety limits.”
Professor Leszczynski said he acknowledged levels were below the standards, but denied exposure was safe and called for a revision of the safety limits and reduction in mobile phone radiation emissions.
“Epidemiological studies have shown use of such cell phones that were compliant with the current safety standards and emitted radiation levels that were below current safety limits for over 10 years led to an increased risk of developing brain cancer,” he said.
“The current safety standards are insufficient to protect the health of users.”
Read MoreAre Smart Meters and Wireless Tech Making You Sick?
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Some of the new-onset health problems reported following Smart Meter or wireless technology installation and use are:
tinnitus; hearing ringing, humming, clicking, or buzzing
headaches or migraines
rapid heartbeat, missed beats, or other heart problems
nausea or vomiting
insomnia, sleep disturbances
electromagnetic sensitivity — sensitivity to electronic or wireless devices such as TVs, computers, cell phones
agitation, hyperactivity, ADHD
ear pain
dizziness or disorientation
pacemaker defibrillation
difficulty breathing
head or chest pressure
high blood pressure
pulsing sensations
physical weakness or pain
excessive drowsiness
seizures
urinary problems
body temperature problems –too hot or too cold
problems with concentration or memory, brain fog
difficulty finding words
transient global amnesia
vision or eye problems
nose bleeds
weight loss
joint problems or edema
skin problems, including rashes, flushing, eczema, burns
flu-like symptoms
anxiety, depression, apathy, or other mood disorders
suicidal thoughts
nightmares
worsening of existing conditions
black-outs / fainting
sensation of paralysis
pets — abnormal health problems or death
These symptoms often decrease or disappear when a person is out of doors, or distant from buildings and wireless infrastructure
Some family members may be symptomatic while others are not. This doesn’t mean the microwave and dirty power emissions aren’t affecting everyone. A researcher in the documentary Take Back Your Power showed that significant changes to the blood occurred in all people tested, regardless of whether they “felt “anything.
These health problems should be taken very seriously and a physician consulted. A building biologist can also assess the EMF/RF fields in your home, and make recommendations. The World Health Organization classified this radiation as a possible carcinogen, with international medical experts and scientists calling for its reclassification as a definite carcinogen, especially after the NIH National Toxicology Program and Ramazzini Institute reported cancers and tumors. Cancers and tumors have been reported after Smart Meter installation and wireless tech use.
A resource to educate your physician is EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/reveh.2016.31.issue-3/reveh-2016-0011/reveh-2016-0011.xml
Look under the tab “Electromagnetic Sensitivity” for other resources
As a result of these health problems, a person may qualify as disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — see “Electromagnetic Sensitivity” tab for more info on ADA.
Reduced exposure is very important. If you suspect that your health problems may be related to wireless exposure, reduce your exposure as much and as quickly as possible. Move sleeping areas away from where Smart Meters are located. When a person is away from Smart Meters, the symptoms often subside, though it can take awhile.
Reports show these related health problems increase in severity over time and can develop into very serious conditions. It can be very difficult to heal from these injuries.
One health problem that can occur– electromagnetic sensitivity (EMS), also known as electrohypersensitivity – makes it difficult to tolerate electrical devices or appliances. This has resulted in some people having to sleep with electrical breakers turned off in their home, live without electricity entirely, or leave their home.
Replacing Smart Meters with analog electromechanical meters and non-digital mechanical flow meters for water is very important for all meters – electric, natural gas, water. Some states have an opt-out — California has an opt-out for the investor-owned utilities, but not necessarily for municipal utilities. Find out what legal remedies you have in your state and with your utility.
The health of you and your loved ones is most important.
Watch the documentary Take Back Your Power — www.takebackyourpower.net. Host a film night for your friends and neighbors. Then, together decide what you want to do for the health and safety of your families.
See this article about what one Californian did:
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=4722
How Does a Faraday Cage Work
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Faraday cages are simply incredible things. But just how do they work?
By Christopher McFadden January, 06th 2019
Faraday cage Antoine Taveneaux /Wikimedia Commons
There are high chances that you’ve spent a significant amount of your time in a Faraday Cage at some point in your life. You might even have one in your kitchen. Surprised?
First invented in 1836 by venerable English scientist Michael Faraday, they have become ubiquitous in our modern technological world. From keeping you safe in the air to keeping state secrets, they are simple yet very powerful tools.
In the following article, we’ll take a quick look a just what they are and have a look at how they actually work.
What is a Faraday Cage?
A Faraday Cage, sometimes known as a Faraday Shield, is an enclosure that is used to shield things from electromagnetic fields (both static and non-static).
Static electricity is that where the charges are at rest, hence the name. They, in effect, accumulate on the surface of a particular insulator.
Non-static or current electricity is where electrons are moving within a conductor. Faraday cages are able to protect their contents, or indeed occupants, from feeling the effects of both.SPONSORED VIDEO
They can be made from a continuous covering of conductive material or from a fine mesh of conductive material.
Faraday cages are named after their inventor, the English Scientist Michael Faraday. He devised them in 1836.
They range in design and size from simple chain-link fences to delicate looking fine metallic meshes.
Regardless of their exact appearance, all Faraday cages take electrostatic charges, or even certain types of electromagnetic radiation, and distribute them around the exterior of the cage.
When was the Faraday Cage invented?
In the 1800s Michael Faraday had been putting his considerable intellect to the investigation of electricity. He soon realized that an electrical conductor (like a metal cage) when charged appeared to exhibit that charge on its surface only.
It appeared to have no effect on the interior of the conductor at all.
He set out to demonstrate this on a larger scale and, in 1836, devised an ambitious experiment.
During the now-legendary experiment, Michael Faraday lined a room in metal foil. He then allowed high-voltage discharges from an electrostatic generator to strike the outside of the room.
He then used a special device called an electroscope (a device that detects electrical charges) to conclusively prove his hypothesis As he had suspected the room was completely devoid of electrical charge.
He also confirmed that only the outer surface of the metal foil conducted any current at all.
Faraday later reaffirmed his observations with another famous experiment – his ice pail experiment. During this experiment, he duplicated an earlier experiment of Benjamin Franklin.
Michael lowered a charged brass ball into a metal cup. As anticipated the experiment confirmed Franklin’s earlier observations and his own.
Benjamin Franklin deserves some credit too
Although today this kind of apparatus bears Michael Faraday’s name, Benjamin Franklin should be recognized for his contributions almost 90 years before.
In 1755, Mr. Franklin observed a similar phenomenon. He lowered an uncharged cork ball, on a silk thread, through an opening in an electrically charged metal can.
He observed that “the cork was not attracted to the inside of the can as it would have been to the outside, and though it touched the bottom, yet when drawn out it was not found to be electrified (charged) by that touch, as it would have been by touching the outside. The fact is singular.”
He was also able to show that the cork was affected by the electrostatic charge of the can by dangling it near the can’s exterior. The cork ball was immediately drawn towards the can’s surface.
This, as you might expect, mystified Franklin at the time. He even admitted his confusion to a colleague in a letter.
“You require the reason; I do not know it. Perhaps you may discover it, and then you will be so good as to communicate it to me.”
Whilst he discovered the effect years before Faraday, Franklin would never fully develop a reason for his curious observations. That would be left to the great Michael Faraday decades later.
How do Faraday Cages work?
Put simply, Faraday Cages distribute electrostatic charge around their exterior. They, therefore, act as a shield to anything within them.
They are, in this respect, a form of hollow conductor whereby the electromagnetic charge remains on the external surface of the cage only.
But in reality, like many things, it is a little more complicated than that.
Unless you are familiar with the concept of electricity and conductors you might want to brush up on that first before moving on. This video offers a great little refresher on the subject.
In essence, conductors have a reservoir of free moving electrons that allow them to conduct electricity. When there is no electrical charge present the conductor has, more or less, the same number of commingling positive and negative particles throughout it.
If an external electrical charged object approaches the cage, the positive (nuclei) and free negative (electron) particles in the conductor suddenly separate.
If the approaching object is positively charged, free moving electrons swarm towards it.
This leaves the rest of the cage’s material relatively devoid of negatively charged electrons giving it a positive charge. If the approaching object is negatively charged, the opposite occurs and electrons are repelled but the net effect is the same, just in reverse.
This process is called electrostatic induction and it creates an opposing electrical field to that of the external object.
This process effectively cancels out the external electrical field throughout the entire cage. It is this phenomenon that insulates the cage’s interior from the external electrical field.
What are Faraday Cages used for?
As you can imagine these cages are pretty handy in a variety of applications. It is likely you’ve been in one very recently indeed.
The most famous examples are automobiles and airplanes. Both an aircraft’s and car’s fuselages act as Faraday Cages for their occupants.
Whilst less of an issue for cars, in the air lighting strikes are quite a common occurrence. Thanks to the planes aluminum exterior, when this does occur both the planes delicate avionics and priceless passengers are left completely unscathed.
Incredibly fittingly, MRI scanning rooms are effectively imitations of Faraday’s famous 1836 experiment. They need to be built like this to prevent external radio frequency signals from being added to the data from the MRI machine.
If they were allowed to penetrate the room it could seriously affect the resulting images. Despite this operators are usually trained to detect RF interference in the unlikely event that the Faraday Cage is damaged.
Microwave ovens are another notable example of everyday uses of Faraday Cages. However, unlike other applications, they are designed to work in reverse and keep the microwave radiation within the oven.
You can actually see part of the cage on the microwave oven’s transparent window.
Many buildings are also accidental Faraday cages, as it turns out. Large use of metal rebar or wire mesh can wreak havoc with wireless internet networks and cellphone signals.
Another interesting application of Faraday cages is used by the military and other organizations. Faraday cages are often used to protect vital IT and other electrical equipment from EMP attacks and lightning strikes.
They are also widely used in situations where eavesdropping devices need to be blocked. Politicians and other high-level meetings often opt to discuss sensitive matters in special Faraday cage design shielded rooms.
Are Faraday Cages 100% effective?
Faraday cage effectiveness is defined by the cages design, size, and choice of construction materials. If of a mesh-type construction, they will shield their interiors if the conductor is thick enough and the holes in the mesh are smaller than the wavelength of the radiation in question.
Yet as amazing as Faraday cages and shields are, they are far from perfect. They, on the whole, do not provide 100% insulation from electromagnetic waves.
Whilst longer wavelengths, like radio waves, tend to be heavily attenuated or blocked by the cage, near-field high-powered frequency transmissions like HF RFID are usually able to penetrate the shield.
That being said, solid cage constructions, as oppose to mesh forms, do tend to provide a better amount of shielding over a broader range of frequencies.
Microwave ovens are a prime example of the fact that Faraday cages are not 100% effective as EM shields. Most do not block all the microwave radiation from leaking from the device.
But this is nothing to actually be worried about. Not only is the radiation not ionizing, but microwave ovens undergo extensive testing before being released for general sale.
The FDA, for example, allow for a small amount of leakage from microwave ovens. This is currently set to 5 mW/cm2.
Read MoreProposed cell tower raises health concerns
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As a holistic physician who has always kept up with cutting-edge developments in matters of human health, I am deeply concerned about preliminary indications that EMF (electromagnetic field) pollution, one form of which is produced by cell towers, is fast becoming one of the more pressing health issues of our time. The safety of the new 5G technology is already raising alarm bells around the globe.
A neighbor recently brought to my attention the fact that Altamont is planning to allow the installation of a cell tower. Compared to the one already up on the hill on Berne-Altamont Road, this one will be much closer to the center of the village. Aesthetic considerations are the least of my concerns compared to the health implications that will only emerge in the public consciousness after it’s too late, well after the deal has been struck.
As is typically the case, you’re never going to find reference to these potential dangers in the mainstream media. It will receive serious attention only after it has become a full-blown scandal.
We Americans tend to eagerly embrace every shiny new trend without much caution or forethought, only to find out in time that it wasn’t as safe or as wonderful as we thought it would be. We fall for the glitz, glamour, and filthy lucre, but eventually wind up crying foul as if we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into.
But we’ve been through this before, with tobacco companies that swore to the American public that smoking was not a health concern, even though they concealed evidence to the contrary, and with a multitude of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration that had to be taken off the market because they were subsequently found to be dangerous.
Remember how Vioxx, a popular anti-inflammatory drug, was finally pulled from pharmacies only after it led to an estimated 60,000 cardiac-related deaths in the United States? Well, I do.
My wife and I originally moved to Altamont because of its old-world charm and so that we could raise our kids in a healthy environment. For newer residents, a cell tower represents a serious threat to both of those aspirations.
Our kids are now grown and have moved away, but I wonder how today’s young parents will feel someday when the damning evidence is finally acknowledged, much too late to undo the damage that has been done, and when they find out that Altamont Village embraced the new technology for a few thousand lousy dollars.
To the naysayers who claim that there is no proof of harm, there is most definitely evidence of harm. And since when did the default scientific position become, “We assume all new products and services are harmless until the consumer can prove otherwise?”
In my world, this comes into direct conflict with the physician’s prime directive to do no harm. Should the citizens of Altamont hold themselves to a lower standard? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Technologies implemented on such a large scale with government’s blessing should always be considered potentially unsafe until proven safe. The burden of proof should fall to those who wish to profit from new technologies.
As for evidence of harm, I will provide just a small sampling here, but there’s plenty more if you’re willing to dig for it. Thousands of independent studies have already linked radiation exposure from cell phones to a number of serious illnesses, including cancer, infertility, heart disease, birth defects, memory problems, and insomnia.
The new fifth-generation wireless systems, known as 5G, will up the ante by making our wireless devices even more powerful and up to 100 times faster. Our exposure to electromagnetic radiation levels will certainly increase.
More than 180 scientists and doctors from 35 countries have called for a moratorium on 5G technology until its true effects can be properly evaluated. Researchers from the Ramazzini Institute in Italy recently released the findings of a study that indicates cell-tower radiation is associated with certain types of cancers in lab animals. What’s more disturbing is that another study conducted by the U.S. National Toxicology Program has also reported finding the same types of cancers in lab rats.
According to our own David Carpenter, M.D., former dean of the School of Public Health at the University at Albany, “This study raises concerns that simply living close to a cell tower will pose threats to human health. Governments need to take measures to reduce exposures from cell tower emissions. Cell towers should not be near schools, hospitals or people’s homes. Public health agencies need to educate the public on how to reduce exposure from all sources of wireless radiofrequency radiation — be it from cell towers or cell phones or Wi-Fi in schools.”
I am disappointed that I had to find out through the grapevine about an initiative that will profoundly affect the health of Altamont residents for decades to come. Given the gravity of the stakes involved, each resident should have been explicitly notified of this proposed plan
I urge all concerned Altamontians to make your opinions known, both here in The Enterprise and especially when the Altamont Planning Board takes up the matter at its next meeting on Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m.
You have to ask yourself: Is better wi-fi and cell phone service worth the risks to your health and your children’s health?
And I pose these questions to planning board members and to all Altamont Village officials who will be involved in the fate of this initiative. Do you want to be responsible for approving a cell tower knowing that it cannot be undone for another 45 years, and knowing the potential harm that it may cause? Are you going to sell your souls and the future health of Altamontians to our new corporate masters for a few thousand bucks?
Read MoreHomeowners say they were blindsided with Power Company’s upgrade
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PEARLAND, Texas – Some residents in the Silverlake subdivision are less than excited about a large transmission upgrade project by CenterPoint that took some of them by surprise.
Residents say large 115-foot towers were abruptly erected just feet away from their homes, and now many residents are worried about the aftermath.
“This is our road. One way in, one way out,” said Nancy Peskin, while walking down her small street in Pearland.
She lives just two doors down from the newly upgraded tower.
Peskin and her husband had moved into the Silverlake subdivision more than a decade ago, hoping to one day use this investment to retire.
“Lickety split, without notice, all of a sudden 115-foot steel towers are erected, and these are two doors down from us,” Peskin said.
CenterPoint said the towers were part of a partial rebuild of an existing 138 kV transmission line on an existing transmission easement. The company said the structures are being upgraded to the latest hurricane wind standards on new steel structures as part of a Public Utility Commission (PUC) system hardening initiative.
“The wires went up two weeks ago,” Peskin said.
It is part of a 14-mile transmission upgrade from Pearland to Friendswood.
“We’re very angry because this was done covert — without any notice. They’re treating us like victims,” Peskin said.
CenterPoint stated:
“CenterPoint Energy has had an easement over this property and the necessary facilities since 1953. Since all construction is within our existing 80-foot transmission easement and no new right-of-way was required, the PUC does not require customer notice. Though the PUC did not require us to notify customers in this particular case, we always strive to be a good neighbor and met with area residents late last year and continue to engage in dialogue with them. We are not aware of any property devaluation issues independently of residents bringing their concerns to our attention.”
CenterPoint clarified that they met with residents in December and that construction for the towers started in May 2018.
“In May, I just noticed some gentlemen working out here and before we knew it they were erecting a huge tower,” Dean Zebak, who lives directly next to a tower, said.
The tower is just feet away from the right side of his home.
“Our daughter sleeps on this side of the house just right here,” Zebak said.
Zebak has had many concerns, living next to power lines for 18 years.
“I’ve actually had cancer, including lymphoma, and some studies have shown that living next to power lines can definitely cause certain types of cancer, including lymphoma,” Zebak said.
CenterPoint’s website states:
“The issue of possible health effects from EMF has been the subject of much study and debate. Over the last 30 years, many studies on EMF have been performed throughout the world, and numerous scientific organizations have reviewed the EMF research. Some studies have found an association between exposure to magnetic fields and certain types of cancer, but other studies have not. Further, studies have not shown a causal relationship between EMF and cancer or other diseases. EMF exposure is a complicated issue, and scientists continue to study it.”
CenterPoint representatives said that the transmission lines were already in place and that this was just an upgrade. Representatives also maintained that the company did nothing wrong.
“This line is also integral to supporting the continued electrical load growth in the area,” a representative with CenterPoint said.
However, the residents said that the electricity coming from the tower just feet away from their homes doesn’t even go to their neighborhood. They also claimed that CenterPoint has tried to find a loophole out of dealing with residents.
Peskin said $50 million is “the financial threshold that you have to formally notify (neighbors). Our particular project was cut out of a larger one and it’s $20 million.”
“They’ve crossed their ‘T’s’ and dotted their ‘I’s,’ but again, it’s (more about) the wisdom of doing a project like this where you’re not notifying the homeowners,” Peskin said.
Neighbors said the homeowners will ultimately be left holding the bag.
“We’ve had people trying to sell their homes in this neighborhood and cannot now because their home is right next to a tower,” Peskin said.
Neighbors said while the towers are being upgraded to the latest hurricane wind standards, if a really strong storm comes by, they’re worried that the towers will fall on homes.
“You pull up into the house, and you have this massive thing staring at you, and it’s not good,” Zebak said.
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