A Cell Tower Plan Concerns Oregon Residents

Concerned members of an Oregon community are opposing a proposed cell tower that would be located behind Bellview Elementary School in Ashland. AT&T wants to build a 120-foot tall cell tower about 300 feet from the school’s track.

Vicki Aldous reported for the Mail Tribune that, “The dark green pole would have cell antennae at its top, with room for more and a microwave antenna, according to plans. Many residents, fearing potential negative health effects from radio frequency waves, had fought that proposal.”

There is no proven link between cancerous cell and location to cell towers. Even the American Cancer Society explains that, “There is very little evidence to support this idea. In theory, there are some important points that would argue against cellular phone towers being able to cause cancer.

First, the energy level of radiofrequency (RF) waves is relatively low, especially when compared with the types of radiation that are known to increase cancer risk, such as gamma rays, x-rays, and ultraviolet (UV) light. The energy of RF waves given off by cell phone towers is not enough to break chemical bonds in DNA molecules, which is how these stronger forms of radiation may lead to cancer.”

The FCC has set safety limits on cell tower radio frequency emissions so that the health of the residents isn’t at risk in any way. The city council ended up rejecting AT&T’s request because the company hadn’t done enough to show that co-location of cell facilities wasn’t feasible.