Vancouver cell tower letter

Holden's cell towers pose health risk

Vancouver Courier

Published: Wednesday, June 04, 2008

To the editor:

I am responding to Sandra Thomas' article on cell towers at Hillcrest Park ("Crusader rings alarm for Bell tower," May 23).

I was interviewed for the article, as was parks commissioner Heather Holden. She was quoted as referring to "some fringe groups out there who are implicating cell towers in connection to health risks...."

On Aug. 31, 2007, The Bioinitiative Report was released (www.bioinitiative.org). It was written by 14 international scientists, three of whom are former presidents of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, the pre-eminent worldwide organization of scientists studying this exact subject of health effects of electromagnetic fields. Their report took into account 2,000 published, peer- reviewed scientific studies. The press release states, "The report concludes the existing standards for public safety are inadequate to protect public health." I wonder if this is the fringe group to whom Commissioner Holden refers?

My ongoing concern is not restricted to the adverse health effects of long-term, involuntary exposure to this electromagnetic radiation. As a taxpayer, I am concerned about the litigation potential of installing cell towers on public property.

There has already been a successful claim in the Alaska Supreme Court for damages caused by electromagnetic radiation. There have also been two successful workers' compensation claims awarded in California.

For the park board to ignore the financial implications--as well as citizens' legitimate health concerns--and take a short-sighted money grab reflects either greed or incompetence or both. As a reminder, there is an election in the fall.

Milt Bowling,

Vancouver

© Vancouver Courier 2008