Stop the Henderson Center Cell Tower!

LINKS TO CELL PHONE & TOWER ARTICLES

2008-12-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

The following links point to Internet sources of information relating to health and property value concerns due to the presence of radiation associated with cell phones, cell towers and Wi-Fi. Note that a cell tower is sometimes called a cell mast or a cell base station. The links are not grouped by area of concern.

Many studies and articles strongly recommend that governments adhere to the Precautionary Principle:

The Precautionary Principle states, when there are indications of possible adverse effects, though they remain uncertain, the risks from doing nothing may be far greater than the risks of taking action to control these exposures. The Precautionary Principle shifts the burden of proof from those suspecting a risk to those who discount it.

From the Bioiniative Petition site:

"There are many examples of the failure to use the precautionary principle in the past, which have resulted in serious and often irreversible damage to health and environments. Appropriate, precautionary and proportionate actions taken now to avoid plausible and potentially serious threats to health from EMF are likely to be seen as prudent and wise from future perspectives. We must remember that precaution is one of the principles of EU environmental policy," says Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA.

Current evidence, although limited, is strong enough to question the scientific basis for the present EMR exposure limits, according to the BioInitiative Working Group.

Some studies regarding adverse health effects in the vicinity of a cell tower recommend that cell towers be not sited within 300 meters of populations.

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Toronto Community News Guildwood church wants to cancel cell tower deal

PlanWireless Can a Cell Site’s Neighbors Use Diminution of Property Values as Substantial Evidence? Here’s a Federal Decision That Says “Yes”

The Bioiniative Report An international working group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals has released its report on electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health. They document serious scientific concerns about current limits regulating how much EMF is allowable from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of EMF exposure in daily life. The report concludes the existing standards for public safety are inadequate to protect public health.

Life Extension Foundation The Hidden Dangers of Cell Phone Radiation

Marin Project Are wireless technologies making us sick?

Marin Project More than six hundred scientific studies have been published worldwide, which link low-level microwaves and radio-frequency (RF) fields to dozens of bio-effects and more than twenty illnesses.

Cell Phone Radiation News Bureau Is Ted Kennedy's Cancer Linked to Cell Phone Use?

WEEP News The Canadian Initiative to Stop Wireless, Electric, and Electromagnetic Pollution

The Independent (UK Newspaper) Mobile phone use 'raises children's risk of brain cancer fivefold'

Mast Sanity We are the primary national organisation opposing the insensitive siting of mobile phone and Tetra masts in the UK.

Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center Health Effects from Cell Phone Tower Radiation

University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Important Precautionary Advice Regarding Cell Phone Use

Next-up News For the first time in France, a major city is launching a campaign to discourage the use of mobile phones among children.

Next-up News Mobile phone radiation fries sperm – study

Next-up News The Walloon minister of Town Planning, André Antoine, intends to provide better protection for the Walloons. "We can no longer bury our heads in the sand," he insists. "The fields of radio frequency created by mobile phones and GSM masts are a real cause for concern.

The Idaho News Proposed Playground Cell Tower Nixed By Effective Public Education
Campaign In North Idaho

OpEdNHews Microwave Technology: An End to the Human Race

Welcome to one of the biggest information sources concerning mobile phones, mobile radiocommunications and electrosmog Brain damage fears over plan to erect 700 police radio masts

Electromagnetic Health Representing citizens concerned about the proliferation of wireless technologies and their impact on health. Quotes from, and interviews with, experts.

Powerwatch - a non-profit independent organisation with a central role in the UK Electromagnetic Field and Microwave Radiation health debate.

Powerwatch News INREASED INCIDENCE OF CANCER NEAR A CELL-PHONE TRANSMITTER STATION The study reviewed 622 medical records from this one medical clinic over a 3-7 year period. The study found a fourfold in increased incidence of cancer for those living in proximity to cell-phone transmitter station, compared to the general population.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS Position on the Health Effects from Radio Frequency/Microwave (RF/MW) Radiation in Fire Department Facilities from Base Stations for Antennas and Towers for the Conduction of Cell Phone Transmissions

Prohealth article Are Microwaves a Major Causal Factor in CFS/ME? (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis)

International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) - a non-profit organization that promotes research to protect public health from electromagnetic fields and develops the scientific basis and strategies for assessment, prevention, management and communication of risk, based on the precautionary principle

St. Louis article Fear of Cell Towers Persists (in neighborhood)

Marshalltown, Iowa protest Near residences, schools – property value & health concerns

EU calls for urgent action on wi-fi radiation Suggests that delay could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking and lead in petrol.

Microwave News For more than 25 years, Microwave News has been reporting on the potential health and environmental impacts of electromagnetic fields and radiation. We are widely recognized as a fair and objective source of information on this controversial subject.

The EMR Network Citizens and Professionals for the Responsible Use of Electromagnetic Radiation

Dr. Joseph Mercola Interview with Expert on Dangers of Cell Phones

Dr. Joseph Mercola Great Example Why You Simply Can't Believe That Cell Phones Are Safe

Dr. Joseph Mercola Cell Phone Users 240 Percent More Likely to Have Brain Tumors

PACT (Precautionary Approach To Cell Towers) THE HEALTH OF THIS COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK!

The Local (Sweden news) Mobile phone radiation damages memory: study

Norwich Evening News Victory as another mast plan is rejected

BNET Business Network MOBILES 'COULD DAMAGE YOUR HEART AND KIDNEYS'; New health warning

Check out the Humboldt Herald Blog.

2008-11-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Humboldt Herald has been doing a fine job reporting on our "Fight the Tower" campaign. Check out the blog.

Controversial Eureka church cell tower project is headed to court

2008-11-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

Neighbors of a project to erect a 60-foot cell tower on the property of a Harris Street church will take what will likely be their last stab at stopping the project Wednesday, when they take the matter to the Humboldt County Courthouse.

Read the whole article.

Cell Towers in Neighborhoods

2008-11-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

An opinion held by many respected physicians and public health experts, especially in Europe, where governments exercise more control over corporations, is that cell towers should not be erected in residential neighborhoods.

Much evidence indicates that electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by cellular devices and WiFi adversely affect our health. (Bioinitiative report) The Freiburger Appeal, signed by nearly 30,000 European physicians, speaks out for new regulations to halt the devastating biological and health consequences of exposure to EMF. Studies connect EMF with Cancer, Alzheimer’s, depression, suicide, Autism, Leukemia, DNA damage, heart disease, strokes, chromosome damage, migraines, nosebleeds, etc. A typical recommendation is that cell towers be not placed within 300 meters of populations.

Fear of health effects causes property values in the vicinity of a cell tower to be depressed; as much as 20% has been reported. Some people will not buy a home near a cell tower.

In response to this fear, companies produce interior paint, curtain material and even a business suit designed to protect us from radiation.

City management seems to be enamored of cell infrastructure - I pray that they, in their deliberations, consider the negative affects that cell towers have on neighborhoods.

I am the treasurer of a small church, and appreciate how welcome extra income would be. But we strive to abide by the Golden Rule and would never, for silver or other payment, do something detrimental to our neighbors like contracting for a 6-story cell tower.

Kindrick Ownby

A Very Sunny Sunday Demonstration

2008-10-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

A dozen smiling neighbors showed up for today's protest. Morale was high following Tuesday's city council meeting in which a motion to create a moratorium against future communication towers was passed unanimously. Though it won't affect the proposed Henderson Center tower, it affirms the Council's postpartum regrets about not being proactive on an issue that affects a lot of people.

Read the (mostly) accurate article:

http://www.eurekareporter.com/article/081022-cell-towers-parking-meters-hot-topic-at-eureka-council

CELL TOWERS & PROPERTY VALUES

2008-10-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Henderson Center Concerned Neighbors take the position that a cell tower should not be sited in ANY neighborhood.

Our concerns are:

- visual pollution

- possible adverse effects upon health in the vicinity of a cell tower

- health effects due to the addition of new devices to the tower as the industry develops

- psychological problems due to fear of adverse effects upon health

- depression of property values (up to 20% in some reports)

We understand that, under existing law, a municipality cannot deny a cell tower site merely out of health concerns.

Even if cell companies and the FCC say that health is not affected by living in the vicinity of a cell tower, their protestations are not necessarily true. It is well known that the 1996 regulation was bought and paid for by the cellular industry, and that people migrate back and forth between the FCC and the industry they are supposed to regulate.

There is a growing body of evidence that cell towers and cell phones are harmful to our health.

There are a number of articles available regarding precautions one might take when using cell phones themselves. From the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute: “Important Precautionary Advice Regarding Cell Phone Use”

http://www.upci.upmc.edu/news/upci_news/072308_celladvisory.cfm

However, people living in the vicinity of a cell tower (sometimes called a base station) have no recourse, except perhaps to sell out at a depressed value and move.

PERHAPS AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF HEALTH EFFECTS IN THE VICINITY OF A CELL TOWER CAN MOTIVATE US TO FIND WAYS TO PROHIBIT THEIR SITING IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. (Please excuse the emphasis).

It is primarily the fear of health effects that cause the depression in real estate values. From a New Zealand study, "The impact of cell phone towers on house prices in residential neighborhoods.":

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-5011857_ITM

"Both the survey and market sales analysis find that CPBSs have a negative impact on the prices of houses in the study areas." Note that "New Zealand has proposed yet more stringent levels, at .02 microwatts, 50,000 times more protective than the U.S. standard." This latter quote is from an article by Karen J. Rogers, an environmental scientist at the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center:

http://www.mountshastaecology.org/Archive/Health_Effects_from_Cell_Phone_Tower_Radiation.html

This article also notes that “The current U.S. standard for radiation exposure from cell phone towers is 580-1,000 microwatts per sq. cm. (mW/cm2), among the least protective in the world. More progressive European countries have set standards 100 to 1,000 times lower than the
U.S.”

A 2002 French study concludes that "From these results, and in applying the precautionary principle, it is advisable that mobile phone base stations be not sited closer than 300 meters to populations and most significantly because exposed people can have different sensitivities related particularly to their sex". Note the 300 meters, rather than 300 feet.

In a letter to Mayor Young and the Langford Council, Langford, B.C. from Martin Blank, Ph.D., Associate Professor of physiology and cellular biophysics, Columbia University, dated September 11, 2008:

"I have been an active researcher on biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) for over twenty five years at Columbia University. I was also one of the organizers of the 2007 online
Bioinitiative Report on the subject. Because of this background, I have been asked to provide background information regarding current discussions about the proposed cell tower.”

“There is now sufficient scientific data about the biological effects of EMF, and in particular about radiofrequency (RF) radiation, to argue for adoption of precautionary measures. We can state unequivocally that EMF can cause single and double strand DNA breakage at exposure levels that are considered safe under the FCC guidelines in the USA. As I shall illustrate below, there are also epidemiology studies that show an increased risk of cancers associated with exposure to RF. Since we know that an accumulation of changes or mutations in DNA is associated with cancer, there is good reason to believe that the elevated rates of cancers among persons living near radio towers are probably linked to DNA damage caused by EMF. Because of the nature of EMF exposure and the length of time it takes for most cancers to develop, one cannot expect 'conclusive proof' such as the link between helicobacter pylori and gastric ulcer. (That link was recently demonstrated by the Australian doctor who proved a link conclusively by swallowing the bacteria and getting the disease.) However, there is enough evidence of a plausible mechanism to link EMF exposure to increased risk of cancer, and therefore of a need to limit exposure, especially of children."

The Bioiniative report he references is at http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/index.htm

This is "An International Scientific Review by 14 world leading scientists, public health & public policy experts – based on the assessment of 2,000 published studies – states “It appears it is the
INFORMATION conveyed by electromagnetic radiation (rather than heat) that causes biological changes – some of the biological changes may lead to loss of wellbeing, disease and even death. The Report has been written to document the reasons why current public exposure standards for non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation are no longer good enough to protect public health."

- see SECTION 1
<http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/docs/section_1.pdf>: Summary for the Public (Conclusions)

I am a home owner within 300 feet of the Apostolic Church on Harris Street.

Respectfully submitted,

Kindrick Ownby

Sunday Demonstrations Continue on the 8:30 News!

2008-10-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

About 15 neighbors and concerned citizens showed up for this Sunday's demonstration. There were positive vibes all around as we chatted about the week's events: the gathering of "Declaration Signatures," signing a letter to the church board, the presidential debates, and even what's cooking for this Monday's meeting. Channel 3 News was at hand to take video of our demonstration and interview me for tonight's news. (8:30 following football)

Sunday Demonstrations

2008-10-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

We will be picketing in front of the church again on SUNDAYS. NOT FRIDAYS (that was for the initial media event)

It's important that our presence be consistently felt by the congregation and the pastor on a weekly basis.

Sunday 10:30 am for the 11:00 am service and
Sunday 5:30 pm for the 6 pm service.

PLEASE SHOW UP AT LEAST ONCE EVERY SUNDAY.

See you there!

Links to Articles about Church Cell Towers

2008-10-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Kendrick found some interesting articles about some Canadian communities fighting church sponsored cell towers in their neighborhoods. Stay inspired!

http://www.insidetoronto.ca/article/51983

www.guildwoodnotower.ca

Media Coverage of Friday Protest

2008-10-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

Follow these links to read articles about yesterday's protest.

The Eureka Reporter

The Times-Standard

Northcoast Journal

Scheduled Protests this Week

2008-10-07T19:51:00.002-07:00

Media Event
When: Friday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: On the sidewalk in front of the Apostolic Church on Harris, between D and Williams (272 Harris Street)
We need to make this first event massive.
Bring Picket signs and 10 friends!

Sunday Rally
When: Sunday, October 12 at 10:30 (Church service start at 10:30)
Where: On the sidewalk in front of the Apostolic Church on Harris, between D and Williams (272 Harris Street)
Bring Picket signs!!

2008-10-07T19:51:00.001-07:00

An open letter to the Eureka City Council

2008-10-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Mayor, and City Council Members

The real injustice of the cell tower deal between Verizon and the Apostolic Church, on Harris and D. St., came to light to us while watching the city council meeting on public access television a couple weeks ago. I was aghast at the tepid response that most council members had toward residents' concerns and disappointed at their rush to approve this project. Even though we live a half a block from, and in plain view of, the 60 foot cell tower "to be", we were never notified by the city during the permitting process. Even more disheartening: it was our neighbor, who we are friendly with, who brokered the deal with Verizon behind our backs.

Something smells fishy in Eureka, and it's not from the high tide.

A glance at a cell tower locator map of Eureka on the Internet will reveal seven towers surrounding the city, most in commercial/industrial zones. This cell tower would be the first one in the center of town in a primarily residential neighborhood. I think this precedent is significant and warrants more attention than a few mailed notices to residents within a 300 foot radius of the proposed site. This past week, we walked around our neighborhood and talked to people about the project. Most people never received notice of the cell tower and were outraged that they were left out of the dialog.

What kind of city do we live in where hard working, tax paying citizens, are denied a real voice in decisions that will directly affect our lives?

Stop the permitting process.
This injustice must be undone now.