W.E.E.P. News
Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News
2 February 2011
Proposed Cell Phone Mast at Church will not Proceed
The controversy over chronic cell tower radiation is starting to reach the Canadian public. Recently, CBC radio ran a feature documentary about the possible harmful effects that cell towers were having on the occupants of the top floor of an apartment building in Toronto. Bell and Wind Mobile had placed towers on the roof of the apartment and gradually over a few months the people living directly under them became ill.
The airing of this program was a timely gift and confirmation to Tina Catalano and fellow activists that were protesting the erection of a cell tower that was to be hidden in roof of a nearby church in Vaughan. Read the article for information about the protest.
http://www.yorkregion.com/news/local/article/934767--vaughan-meeting-sparked-by-petition
It seems that the public protest was so effective, the church decided to cancel any further negotiations about the planned towers. When citizens are well informed about the potential hazards of chronic microwave radiation, and then effectively communicate that knowledge to decision makers and others in the community, the health of it's congregation often outweighs the substantial financial gains offered by the wireless industry.
This is the resolution that was recently posted on the church website.
January 29, 2011
Re : Rogers Proposed Cellular Antennae on Church Property
To all parishioners and neighbours.
The clergy and members of the Finance Council of St. Margaret Mary Parish wish to thank all the members of our community who responded to our proposal to enter into a lease arrangement with Rogers Communications Inc. Our decision to consult the parish community was a responsible one which, although not formally required, was considered to be appropriate. Community feedback on this topic was welcomed and we thank all those who contributed to this discussion.
It has been very encouraging to see that the local community is alive, strong, caring, and concerned about he well being of our church and parish community. Unfortunately, the Parish has faced financial challenges over the last several years and the Finance Council has struggled to ensure that the financial needs of the parish are met. Our expenses continue to increase each year just as your home expenses do. However, our collections have not increased to match this demand. We rely heavily upon the fundraising efforts of committed and dedicated groups within the parish.
We were approached by Rogers with an idea. In good faith, we studied the proposal over a long period of time and sought the advice of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Our absolute priority through months of careful consideration has always been the well being of all members of our parish family and the extended community. This goes both without saying and without compromise. We opened the discussion to the community, have attempted to be receptive to all points of view, and have made our best efforts to filter out the highest quality technical information on the subject to guide us. We did receive many comments regarding the lease proposal and, on the basis of those comments, we have decided not to proceed with the proposal and to cancel the meeting scheduled for February 9, 2011.
As somewhat of a paradox, it is the popular lifestyle choice we have made as a society to embrace cellular technology, at work and at home, that creates the very need for the antennae that we are currently discussing. Naturally, our parish neither created the demand for cellular phones nor is it capable of preventing their deeper penetration into our neighbourhoods. Our community is already aware of existing cellular antennas in the vicinity of the church and of the growing number of other locations throughout the city, the region and the nation. Indeed many of which are installed without any consultation or public discussion, whatsoever, including collocation (the function of including multiple antenna's from various companies on the same single facility) which is regularly happening in our community.
We have been advised that the technology that we proposed to implement at our parish was safe and posed no health issues to the community. In fact, the proposed antennae at St. Margaret Mary Church would, if directed in the westerly direction of St. Margaret Mary School (which they are not) and if operating at full capacity, full time (which we are advised is not the case), would generate radio frequency levels at the location of the school of about I% of the threshold levels set by Industry Canada. In other words, the intensity would be 99% lower than the maximum permitted by Government of Canada standards.
The above said, as Woodbridge's longest serving Roman Catholic church, our goal is not to divide the community. Make no mistake, that irrespective of our need and irrespective of our most sincere belief that the proposed antennae pose no unique threat to the well being of the most vulnerable in our community, we are not presently prepared to enter into a lease arrangement with Rogers Communications, notwithstanding that we would be giving up a substantial source of badly needed funds, without your support and accordingly will not be proceeding with the new proposed antenna.
Fr. Jose Maria Naranjo Silva - Pastor
Submitted by Robert
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attempt to Destroy Scientific Mobile Telecommunication Data at the Medical University of Vienna Failed
http://www.pandora-foundation.eu/downloads/pandora_press-release_muv_2011-01-31.pdf
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Critics Take on California Council on Science and Technology Smart ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mast near to a Junior Primary School to be Removed
The Alliance for Irish Radiation protection would like to thank the Leixlip Town Council for its endorsement of the "Precautionary Principle" in calling for the removal of a communications mast deemed "exempt development" by Kildare Co. Council.
The Leixlip Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to have a mast removed from a building which faced directly into a junior primary school at Confey, Leixlip.
Nearly two years ago the, councillors noted, a meeting during which Prof. Olle Johansson,, of the Karolinska Institutet spoke outlining the damaging effects of microwave radiation on children.
John Weigel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TUMOUR RISK TO THE YOUNG FROM USING MOBILE PHONES
Tueday February 1st 2011.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/226474/Tumour-risk-to-the-young-from-using-mobile-phones
CHILDREN who use mobiles could be up to five times more likely to develop a brain tumour than adults, experts claim.
More than 50 per cent of seven-year-olds own a mobile phone, with the figure rising to 75 per cent by the age of 10.
The potential risk could be a "huge time bomb", according to independent watchdog Powerwatch, which investigates their safety. It wants children banned from using them.
Technical manager Graham Philips said: "The risk of getting a brain tumour is far increased for children as their cells are still dividing which could cause a tumour to grow. Their skulls are also far thinner and less developed than an adult's, meaning they don't absorb as much of the radiation leaving it to get through to the brain. This can do a huge amount of damage." He said some children are talking on their phones for two hours a day.
Cancer specialist Dr Justin Stebbing, of Imperial College London, said: "Their cells are still growing so they could be more sensitive to DNA damage."
The BMJ Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine advises parents to ensure children use text messages, hands-free kits or loudspeaker functions.
The Department of Health says young children should only use mobiles in emergencies.
The Mobile Operators Association said: "Two decades of research, to date, has established no adverse health effects and all mobile phones comply with international safety guidelines."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High-level panel calls for stricter mobile radiation norms
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1146405.ece
