If you have children or grandchildren, you should be alarmed about the proposed cell tower in Biddeford. Cellphones of the past used analog radio waves, which are natural and have a reduced risk of radiation danger. Today our phones transmit digital signals, which are extremely dangerous when going through the body.
People believe and trust these towers are harmless. Millions of dollars have been spent by the mobile telecom industry to convince you of that. There is much jargon that states the levels of electromagnetic frequency radiation are low and follow the guidelines of the federal government. Well, it is man-made and the EMF effects are cumulative, which means, in time, your body will have received levels that are unacceptable and damaging. This is especially true to young children and there has been significant scientific research to prove the ill effects of these radio waves.
These towers are necessary for our technology, but not in close proximity to our schools or anywhere near where people live or work. There are two variables at stake here: the health and well-being of our people in the community, and the decline of property value of homes. For very good reasons, people do not want to buy houses located near cell towers.
Unfortunately, our Biddeford Planning Board has voted to recommend allowing AT&T to erect a cell tower in a location that is befitting to them and profitable to our local government, despite the fact that this area of the city is not zoned for communications towers. A group of concerned citizens were and still are in opposition to this tower, but not much validity was given to their concerns. A 1,000-page document was set before the board filled with research, and at the second planning board meeting, only one member said they had read it.
The underlying issue here is money to be made from this tower on both sides. Once this tower is built, a neighborhood with 54 homes and 143 residences will be in close range of this monstrosity. One study found an 18 times greater incidence of cancer and or other health problems for those living in close proximity to a cell tower. Your child may go to the Biddeford Primary, Biddeford Intermediate or Biddeford Middle School ”“ all under the umbrella of EMF radiation, within a half-mile of this tower.
This cell tower needs to be relocated away for residences and schools. Is money more important than the health and well-being of our children? Some may try to convince you that the Federal Drug Administration, Federal Communications Commission and other organizations state that the cell towers are within the limitations of what EMF should be. Don’t be misled. The FCC is an arm to industry working on behalf of technology and economics, not a health-regulating body.
Visit, call and write to your city council representative and let them know how you would like to be represented.
Nancy Nadeau
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