Can cell towers affect our brains?
THE EDITORS: I heard an official of the Telecommunications Authority speaking about cellular towers on the television news recently. He did not seem very concerned over possible health risks of having cellular towers in close proximity to where people are living. He seemed to suggest that TT should not worry about the proliferation of cellular towers as countries which are "old in the business" have not had any problems. He also said that we need not worry, as these towers emit low-frequency radiation. I want him to know that low-frequency radiation is harmful. Studies have shown that low-frequency radiation, of the type emitted by cellular towers and cell phones can cause memory loss, cancer, tumors, Alzheimer’s Disease, Leukemia, and DNA damage, to name a few of the effects. Dr George Carlo, a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, and who conducted a study in 1995, wrote to the Chairman of AT&T about his findings. In his capacity of Director of the Wireless Technology Research, Dr Carlos indicated that the incidence of rare tumors on the outside of the brain doubled among cell phone users, particularly on the right side of the head where phones are usually held. Dr Carls also found that the rate of death from brain cancer among hand-held cellular phone users was higher than the rate among those who used non hand-held phones. An article written by Tim Wacker in January 2005 on http://www.eagletribune.com, cites a California study that found six firefighters working close to cellular towers had abnormalities in brain wave functions and suffered from headaches, depression, tremors and various other neurological maladies. Is the official aware of these facts? Is there any intention of imposing strict guidelines for the installation and operation of these towers? Does the Telecommunications Authority know what guidelines should be imposed? Has the Authority source qualified physicists who can render valuable advice? With the uncertainty of the global community on the dangers of cellular tower and cellular phone emissions, I want to ask the official one question. "Would you allow your family to live near a cellular tower and be exposed to low-frequency radiation for the rest of their lives?" There are people across the United States who have fought against the setting up of cellular towers close to schools or in residential areas. Some have lost and some have won. There are also people in Britain and Canada who are equally as worried. In New Zealand, cellular towers are prohibited on school property because of the possible health effects. So it is not true to say that there have been no problems in countries that have allowed the installation of cellular towers. NEIL HEATH Diego Martin
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"Can cell towers affect our brains?"