In a classic case of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard), parents, tenants and community boards nationwide are up in arms about the proliferation of Cell Phone towers and antennas on their buildings and schools. The concerns over the potential negative health effects of radiation and cancer is driving the debate.
In the Washington D.C school system, there are close to 40 cell phone transmitters on school property. They have lease agreements with cell phone companies that brought them an amazing $765,000 last year. Unhappy parents feel they should have been asked first before these cell antennas were installed. Officials claim there are no proven health risks. Unsatisfied with that answer, parents are willing to go to court if they have to in order to protect their children. Would you be willing to risk your health in return for a better cell phone signal? I certainly would not.
See the complete Washington Post Article by Caryle Murphy here.
In New York City, I can see these cell antennas sprouting up all over the place. Landlords seem to be receptive of the idea of receiving this ancillary income from cell companies and are profiting handsomely. On the other hand, the tenants and homeowners now are in fear for their health.
In a recent article by David Nobino of the New York Sun, local lawmakers and New Yorkers are looking to increase cell phone placement regulations.
“Under current laws, a company that wants to erect a cellular antenna requires approval from the Department of Buildings only to get an alteration permit; they rarely are denied. The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits health issues from being used as a reason to reject an application for a cellular antenna.
But yesterday Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, a Democrat representing Astoria, said he was pushing legislation in Albany that would ban antennae within 500 feet of schools, require public hearings over tower siting, require service providers to show proof of need for additional towers, and direct the state Department of Health to conduct a study on the long-term health effects of signals used by cell towers.”
