With a proposal for three new cell towers at Borough Hall on the table, several concerned residents hired Dr. Martin Blank, associate professor of physiology and cellular physics at Columbia University, to speak on the potential health risks caused by cell phones and cell towers earlier this month at the Reformed Church of Oradell. Last week, the Oradell Council continued the discussion.
The proposed cell towers would be located on the left side of Borough Hall between the building and Church of the Annunciation. Concealment poles are suggested to house the antennas inside the poles. Two of the poles will feature a 3-by-12 foot banner; the third pole may have a 12-by-18 foot American flag attached to it.
Blank said he has studied the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the cellular level.
Cell phones emit non-ionizing radiation and put out a power frequency between that of a radio/television and microwave, Blank said. A radio gives off about 300 GHz while a microwave emits close to 2,400 MHz.
"Cell phones have a history of being considered non-biology active because they are non-ionizing and don’t heat cells up," Blank said. "But the further you go up the scale, the more effect they have of some sort. Electromagnetic fields have a greater impact."
During his presentation, Blank cited several studies that had explored the risk associated with the long-term use of cell phones. In 2006, there was a Danish study focusing on 420,000 "users" that have had a cell phone for a few years.
"When you look at the data, it shows that cell phones have a protective effect," Blank said. "But it’s not a balanced coverage. Part of the problem is that the public is not getting a detailed analysis."
Blank also focused on a 2008 study out of Sweden by Lennart Hardell, who focused on the long-term use of cellular phones and brain tumors as an increased risk associated with the use of cell phones for a 10-year latency period.
Hardell’s study found that there was an increased risk, about 2 to 3 percent, of a malignant brain tumor regardless of whether the person was using a mobile or cordless phone. The study, according to Blank’s presentation, stated that the percentage doubled if cell phone use began during a person’s teenage years.
According to Blank, children are the most susceptible to harmful radiation from cell phones and cell towers.
"Cells stimulate DNA to synthesize stress proteins in reaction to potentially harmful stimuli, with changes in temperature, acidity or basicity, and alcohol levels in the body," Blank said. "EMF initiates the stress response by interacting with electrons moving within DNA. It’s an SOS call to the cells that there is potential damage."
Council discussion
The council subsequently met on April 13 to continue its discussion on the cell towers. Council members Joseph Murray, Michael Harte and Donna Alonso attended Blank’s presentation.
"My opinion of that meeting is that [Professor] Blank was a very informative and gentle man, but I was not convinced in any shape or form that these fields, unlike the Wi-Fi at the library or fire department walkie talkies, pose a health hazard," Harte said. "Other than a study done X number of years ago, he did not present anything from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the federal government or American law that these poles are a health hazard."
Alonso countered that Blank had mentioned research regarding how EMF can change DNA composition.
"In his discussion he did say that there is proof that DNA strands have changed," Alonso said. "If there is a possibility that someone could get sick and have employees in Borough Hall who already have issues of illness, then why put a cell tower so close to the employees, nursery school and elementary students? Why do that if there is a possibility of a DNA change and subject someone to cancer?"
Several neighboring towns either have a cell tower or will be constructing one in the coming months:
* During the winter, River Edge approved a 165-foot tower to be located at the borough’s Department of Public Works site.
* Dumont passed an ordinance so that no cell towers could be constructed on borough property, but Verizon erected a cell tower near St. Mary’s School following a 2007 application process.
* New Milford recently lost its February court case in Superior Court in Hackensack regarding a 90-foot cell tower to be located at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.
* In Paramus, Sprint wanted to build a 125-foot cell tower at the Paramus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, but the application was denied and the issue has gone to the court system.
River Edge Council President Andrew Rudman said residents need coverage for incidents such as the recent nor’easters that left many in the borough without power.
"What happened three weeks ago is real," Rudman said. "As far as I’m concerned, if a resident on my street has a tree come through the house and they couldn’t call for help, what am I going to tell them? Any revenue is not an issue for me. What is important to me is the people on the one side of town with no cell service in case of an emergency."
Councilman Robert Pizzuto said that some residents do want the tower.
"There comes a point where we have to make a decision to move forward and have a tower on borough property where we can control what it looks like, or have it on private property and have no control over it," Pizzuto said.
The location of the poles are subjected to four items: a review of any existing underground electric lines and associated easements; the relocation of a dedicated tree; the verification of an existing underground storm water line; and the possible relocation of the existing overhead telephone line that services the municipal complex and any associated easements. The radio equipment for the towers will be located in the basement of Borough Hall, according to the proposal.
Aside from the proposed drawings, the council has yet to make a final decision regarding the proposed cell towers.
A copy of plans for the proposed cell towers at Borough Hall can be found at Oradell.org, click on the link for Proposed Cell Tower.
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Safety is focus of cell tower debate
Source: NorthJersey.com
Date: 04/22/2010
