Report on School Safety: Cell Tower Proximity Concerns Expert
Published on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 by Brad BehanRead More County & State
WASHINGTON, D.C. - There is new evidence it's not just cell phones that
might harm children's health, but the invisible radiation from cell
towers and antennas sited near schools across the country. A new
four-year study released Wednesday ranks children's potential exposure
to radiation at more than 6,000 schools in U.S. state capitols.
Dr. Magda Havas, author of the BRAGtm Antenna Ranking of Schools, says many cell antennas are located too close to schools.
"In some states, for example, there's more than 100 antennas within a quarter-mile of the school. That's very high levels of radiation."
Many regulatory bodies take the position that radiation is harmless unless it is powerful enough to heat tissues, such as in a microwave oven. Havas, a professor of environmental and resources studies at Canada's Trent University, says her research indicates daily exposure to such radiation, called non-ionizing, increases the risk of developing cancerous tumors and other serious health problems.
"Things like difficulty sleeping, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, headaches, and problems with cognition, both in terms of concentrating and in recall."
The report also allows parents to look up information about their children's school, if they live in a state capitol. Havas says few people are aware of the danger.
"This is something that parents need to know about, teachers need to know about, and school administrators need to know about."
Jim Turner, chairman of Citizens for Health in Washington, D.C., says previous studies have considered only short-term radiation exposure - while children in schools near antennas are being exposed all day long.
"You start with a vulnerable immune system and you start dropping this daily for ten or 15 or 20 years, and you can end up with very serious problems in the long run."
The report recommends the Federal Communications Commission require wireless towers be kept at least 1,500 feet away from schools. In the past, citizen and community protests against siting antennas close to schools have been stymied by a provision of the Telecom Act of 1996, which limits state and local governments' ability to consider health or environmental concerns in the siting of wireless infrastructure.
Havas' report is available online at www.magdahavas.com.
Dr. Magda Havas, author of the BRAGtm Antenna Ranking of Schools, says many cell antennas are located too close to schools.
"In some states, for example, there's more than 100 antennas within a quarter-mile of the school. That's very high levels of radiation."
Many regulatory bodies take the position that radiation is harmless unless it is powerful enough to heat tissues, such as in a microwave oven. Havas, a professor of environmental and resources studies at Canada's Trent University, says her research indicates daily exposure to such radiation, called non-ionizing, increases the risk of developing cancerous tumors and other serious health problems.
"Things like difficulty sleeping, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, headaches, and problems with cognition, both in terms of concentrating and in recall."
The report also allows parents to look up information about their children's school, if they live in a state capitol. Havas says few people are aware of the danger.
"This is something that parents need to know about, teachers need to know about, and school administrators need to know about."
Jim Turner, chairman of Citizens for Health in Washington, D.C., says previous studies have considered only short-term radiation exposure - while children in schools near antennas are being exposed all day long.
"You start with a vulnerable immune system and you start dropping this daily for ten or 15 or 20 years, and you can end up with very serious problems in the long run."
The report recommends the Federal Communications Commission require wireless towers be kept at least 1,500 feet away from schools. In the past, citizen and community protests against siting antennas close to schools have been stymied by a provision of the Telecom Act of 1996, which limits state and local governments' ability to consider health or environmental concerns in the siting of wireless infrastructure.
Havas' report is available online at www.magdahavas.com.
