Credible Research Supports Cell Tower Health Risks

Just a few days ago, May 31, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) made a historic announcement today that cell phones may cause cancer.

It rated personal exposure of non-ionizing radiation emitted from cell phones as a possible human
carcinogen (Group 2B), the same rating as lead, engine exhaust, and chloroform. The rating was based on
an increased risk of a glioma, which is a deadly brain tumor.

A proposal from T-mobile was disclosed to parents shortly before summer vacation. If passed, it will allow
for the construction of 150’ cell towers at the following locations:

Notice to DeKalb County

Regarding the proposal to locate a cell tower at each of the following schools:

Briarlake Elementary School

Brockett Elementary School
Flat Rock Elementary School
Jolly Elementary School
Lakeside High School
Margaret Harris Center
Martin Luther King, Jr. High School
Medlock Elementary School
Meadowview Elementary School
Narvie J. Harris Elementary School
Princeton Elementary School
Smoke Rise Elementary School

DeKalb County School Board expected to vote: THIS MONDAY, JUNE 6 at 6 p.m.*
Here is the notification from the school board:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/news-and-info/cell-phone-towers

The specifics of this proposal, including the dollar amounts involved, have not been disclosed to the public.
When asked directly at a school meeting about how much the schools would receive directly, T-mobile
representatives refused to comment. A fair cost / benefit analysis cannot be made if the public is not given
access to the terms that the school board is considering.

* This is the assumed date and time for the vote on this agenda item. It was circulated via email to
PTA members of one or more of the schools on the list. However, the meeting agenda has not been
confirmed. Requests by this author to view the agenda have not been acknowledged. All concerned
citizens are encouraged to attend Monday’s meeting.

There are cell towers everywhere! What makes this proposal any different?
True, cell towers have been popping up in Atlanta and across the county at an alarming rate. In fact, in one
neighborhood being cited by T-mobile as needing additional coverage, the number of towers is already at
86 existing and 2 pending in just a four mile radius from the school. However, the residential areas in our
county have been protected from direct exposure to cell tower emissions within about a mile radius, until
now. Typically, cell towers have been confined to commercial areas such as parking lots or along
Interstates where personal exposure to human beings is limited.

What is currently being proposed in DeKalb county and around the country is the citing of large-scale cell
towers within the center of quiet, residential communities. One way of gaining access to this residential
area is by offering long-term lease agreements to the schools and parks which are zoned as “multi-use“
properties. The public school system has been a target for T-mobile because, in their words, “it was the
easiest place to start.”

Since cell towers at our local schools would place them in the heart of our residential areas, adjacent to our
schools where children spend as much as eight or more hours per day, five days a week, there is reason for
parents and others to be alarmed. For children who live near the school, their exposure would be round the
clock. Studies have not been conducted regarding the outcome of this type of continuous exposure to non-
thermal radiation.

If approved, our children will become part of what is becoming known as

“the biggest human experiment of all time."

-- Dr. George Carlo. The telecommunications industry gave him 28.5 billion to research the
dangers, if any, of cell phones.

Read more from Dr. Carlo on the EMF Science website:

http://www.emfscience.com/index2.html

Defeated Cell Towers

Many locations across the U.S. have been presented with this same proposal and have united to turn it
down, stating the risks are far greater than any benefit that could be perceived. To see a list of defeated cell
towers, click this link: http://www.celltowerdangers.org/defeated-cell-towers.html

TO OPPOSE THIS VOTE

1.) ATTEND:

Monday, June 6 at 6 p.m.

Georgia Department of Education

Administrative and Instructional Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Click here for Mapquest Directions: http://mapq.st/ma9qdU

2.) SPEAK OUT:

Arrive no later than 5:15 p.m. if you would like to fill out a request form to speak
No more than 20 speakers will be allowed maximum of 3 minutes each.

3.) SIGN PETITION:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Stop-Brockett-Cell-Towers/
(This petition is specific to Brockett Elementary, but you can sign and put the name of your school
after your name so as to show that you are opposing not just Brockett, but your neighborhood as
well as all schools in DeKalb county.)

4.) WRITE:
 It is too late for a written letter to arrive via US Mail. However, you can still submit a feedback
form via this link: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/tellus/

5.) TELL OTHERS:

Your friends and neighbors are likely to be unaware that this issue is even being considered right
now, especially if they do not have children.

Do them a favor and send them a link to this article or tell them in person before the vote takes
place Monday at 6 p.m. There may not be another opportunity to speak out against this issue for
15 years. For many, that will be much too late.

Children are at the greatest risk

Children are in particular danger from these emissions as their head sizes are smaller, their skulls are
thinner and their bodies are still growing. A study is underway that will further evaluate the effects of cell
phones on children. It can be reviewed at: http://www.mbkds.net/ Results are expected in 2013.

Health concerns for the community

Those who live near cell phone towers are exposed to radiofrequency radiation 24 hours a day. During that
time there are higher and lower exposure levels. General symptoms include headaches, fatigue,
concentration problems, dizziness, insomnia, depression, appetite loss, skin rashes, and discomfort.

Any financial gain the county hopes to receive in return for the cell tower lease would clearly not be worth
risking the lives and health of our children.

For more information

Center for Safe Wireless: http://www.centerforsaferwireless.org/Cell-Phone-Towers.php

Cell Tower Report, by Angela Flynn, Public Health Advocate, Member, Wireless Radiation Alert
Network, Board Member, Moms For Safe Wireless: http://www.scribd.com/doc/24352550/Cell-Tower-Rpt

“If you do not have enough information to make a perfect decision, then
err on the side of caution. The first rule of medicine is 'First, do no
Harm.’ Wise words no matter what the profession.”

-- Brian A. Kuzik MD, MSc, FRCP(C) Consulting Paediatrics, Royal Victoria Hospital of Barrie Assistant
Professor of Paediatrics (Queen's University, University of Toronto)

Additional comments: There are many other reasons to oppose the cell tower proposal by T-
mobile. The health risk to children is the primary concern to this author. However, additional
questions will be raised for consideration in upcoming blogs on this site including the affect on
property values, the non-disclosure of financial terms, the failure to notify the community properly
and expected impact of the T-mobile and AT&T merger.

The effects of more negative press on the already tarnished image of our educational system and
how that will impact the decision of future homebuyers should also be considered. Quality
teachers may become increasingly difficult to attract to our county if they must consider working
at a school with a cell tower in addition to taking the many furlough days recently announced. In
addition, it is this author’s opinion that such long-term, large-scale decisions with such far-
reaching impact would be best made with the guidance of an experienced superintendent.