|
By Maurice Ostroff
Mayor Huldai's contention that "if there are more antennas and broadcast points, the risk of radiation
will decrease" is not entirely unreasonable. (Metro July 22). The problem is that the entire subject is not being addressed
quantitatively. There is much confusion about the essential aspects of the controversy, with the most logical and important
aspects being ignored.
The essential factor is the power of the radio frequency (RF) radiation measured in microwatts
per square centimeter, to which persons are exposed in the locality under consideration, irrespective of the location and
physical size of the cellular antenna. The radiation patterns of antennas are designed to direct the signals to specific targeted
areas and the power reaching a particular location depends on the number of transmitters used and the power of each
transmitter.
It is surprising that no-one has mentioned the need to actually measure this power level of the
radiation to which the population is being subjected, so that the subject can be discussed objectively. Instruments for making
these RF measurements are readily available and I suggest that municipal inspectors be equipped with such meters so that they
can make frequent random objective checks at various locations.
In addition, such meters should be permanently installed
in prominent positions in public places and schools, so that the strength of radiation can be constantly monitored by concerned
members of the public. Similar meters could be used to monitor other types of electromagnetic radiation which are suspected
of being harmful to health such as high voltage power lines and broadcast antennas.
Obviously it is essential to compare
the results of measurements with safety standards which have been established by Israeli as well as international bodies.
For example the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has conservatively set its maximum permissible exposure levels
for RF energy at one-tenth (or less) of the threshold for human health effects.
It should be borne in mind that
most radiation exposure limits generally consider only the thermal (heating) effects on animal tissue by absorption of microwaves.
But the jury is still out on the overall effect of radiation from cellular phones because of the use of pulsed waves, which
may affect oscillatory electrical biological activities in the human and animal body. The frequencies of these natural oscillatory
activities are in some cases close to those used in GSM technology or their harmonics.and may possibly give rise to resonant
or other disturbing effects There is an obvious need for further research on this particular aspect.
|
