Cell towers emit radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation for up to 2.5 miles.
Cell phones rely upon cell towers to transmit signals around the world. The towers, also called base stations, emit radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for up to 2.5 miles. Mounting scientific evidence demonstrates that the tower-emitted EMR, even at low levels, poses a health risk. According to the Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology, the wave emission rates are close to our brain rhythms and may interfere with it.
On the other side of the argument, the American Cancer Society, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have stated the scientific evidence is unconvincing. Adverse health effects caused by base stations and wireless networks, the agencies report, are unproven and unlikely due to the signal weakness. The FCC stated that ground-level exposure is typically "thousands of times below safety limits."
Memory
"Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations," a study published in Neurotoxicology, showed the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RFR) on our memory capabilities. According to the study, the RFR-exposed control group demonstrated a prevalence of neuropsychiatric complaints. Of the 85 exposed individuals, 28.2 percent experienced memory changes. The exposed control group also performed significantly lower in neurobehavioral test batteries for short-term auditory memory and attention.
The Pathol Biol (Paris) study, "Investigation on the health of people living near mobile telephone relay stations," also revealed memory-related issues. This study involved 270 men and 260 women. Individuals living within 100 meters of the base station experienced the most memory-related problems.
Neuropsychiatric
According to the Neurotoxicology study, 23.5 percent of the RFR-exposed control group also had headaches or difficulty sleeping; 21.7 percent suffered from depression; and 18.8 percent encountered regular dizziness. The unexposed group had less than half of the symptoms.
The Pathol Biol study revealed symptoms such as tiredness, headache and sleep difficulties within 300 meters of the base stations. In addition to memory problems, individuals living within 100 meters suffered from irritability, depression, dizziness and decreased libido. Women complained of headaches, nausea, appetite loss, sleep difficulties, depression, visual perturbations, and discomfort significantly more often.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that RFR can increase body temperature and cause tissue damage as a result. The eyes and testes are most vulnerable to this form of heat due to limited blood flow.
Interference
According to the FDA, electromagnetic radiation can interfere with electronic medical devices. Of particular concern are implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators. New testing sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has reduced the danger for a majority of pacemaker and defibrillator patients.
Despite the reduced danger, the FDA recommends patients take precautions such as holding cell phones on the opposite side of the implant. The agency also advises against placing the phone in a pocket over the device or leaving a turned-on phone on the side of the implant.
Hypersensitivity
According to the World Health Organization, there are individuals who suffer from "electromagnetic hypersensitivity" or EHS. "While some individuals report mild symptoms... others are so severely affected that they cease work and change their entire lifestyle," according to the WHO.
EHS has a variety of symptoms including skin redness, tingling or burning sensations, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations and digestive disturbances. Although about 10 percent of the reported cases are severe, EHS is unrecognized as a syndrome.
Tags: base stations, electromagnetic radiation, control group, radiofrequency electromagnetic, radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, within meters
