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Dr. Mercola
February 07 2008
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The Cell Phone "Tower of Doom"

cell phone tower, cell phone mast, mobile phoneOrange mobile phone company agreed to remove its cell phone mast -- dubbed the “Tower of Doom” -- from the top of a five-story London apartment building after seven of its residents got cancer.

The cancer rate among those living on the top floor, where residents from five of the eight flats were affected, is 20 percent -- 10 times the national average.

The mast, along with a second mast owned by Vodafone, was put up in 1994. Since then, residents have battled cancer, headaches and other health problems they say are caused by radiation from the masts. Three residents have died from cancer, while another four are still fighting the disease.

The World Health Organization and other agencies say there is no risk of radiation from cell phone masts, so the companies had no legal obligation to remove the masts.

In August 2007, after a long legal battle, Orange agreed to move the mast from the building -- to another area near homes, a public library and a primary school.

Vodafone has no plans to remove their mast from the building, and is working on securing a new long-term lease.

Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Unless you live in some unbelievably remote location, the odds are high that you’re being bombarded with information-carrying radio waves that can wreak havoc on your body.

These radio waves have increased dramatically and exponentially over the last few years -- especially from cell phones, but also from WiFi, WiMax, BlueTooth, and other wireless devices. For most people, the damage from this 24-7 exposure will take years or even decades to surface since there is a lag time of five to 20 years for the health effects to become clinically apparent.

For those unfortunate people in London who were living directly below a major cell phone mast, the damage became apparent sometime between the mast’s construction in 1994 and the beginning of the resident’s campaign to have the mast removed in 2002.

You may not realize that you are likely living closer to a cell phone tower than you think. Cell “sites” can look like antennas or huge towers, but they can also be quite camouflaged. They exist on many schools, churches, firehouses, cemeteries and even in national parks. If you’re wondering why a school or park would want a cell site on their grounds, it’s because the cell phone companies pay to have them there, with fees that can range upwards of $2,000 a month.

While there are already more than 175,000 cell towers in the United States, this number is expected to increase by 48 percent to 260,000 by 2010, according to CTIA (the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry).

If you want to know just how close you are to a cell phone tower or antenna, simply type your location into AntennaSearch.com. It will tell you all of the towers (existing and future) and antennas that are within eight miles of your address!

Why are Increasing Cell Phone Towers so Concerning?

What most people, including experts, fail to understand is that the danger from land-based portable phones, cell phones and WiFi routers is not from the magnetic radiation or the microwave carrier wave from which typical SAR ratings are given on phones. Unless you have massive exposures like you might expect in a microwave oven, these thermal effects are insignificant.

Nearly all the biological damage comes from the modulated signals that are carried ON the carrier microwave. These modulated information-carrying radio waves resonate in biological frequencies of a few to a few hundred cycles per second, and can stimulate your vibrational cellular receptors causing a whole cascade of pathological consequences that can culminate in fatigue, anxiety and ultimately cancers.

Again, this is  a very serious concern because, unless you live in an isolated rural setting, you are probably being exposed to these radio-waves day-in and day-out -- whether or not you even own or use a cell phone.

Numerous studies have linked exposure to information-carrying radio waves to health problems, but you may not realize that your symptoms are related to these radio frequencies because they could easily be attributed to other causes as well.

Aside from cancer and brain tumors, cells phones and other radio frequencies can cause:
  • Alzheimer’s, senility and dementia
  • Parkinson’s
  • Autism
  • Headaches
  • Sleep disruptions and fatigue
  • Altered memory function, poor concentration and spatial awareness
Can You Hear Me Now? The Truth the Cell Phone Industry Doesn’t Want You to Hear

One of the world’s undisputed experts in cell phone safety is Dr. George Carlo, and I had the privilege of spending two full days with him in October 2007.

I was so compelled with the information I heard that my next book, slated for release in 2009, will detail the reasons why I believe using cell phones is far more dangerous than smoking cigarettes ever was.

In the 1990s, Dr. Carlo was given a $28-million grant from the cell phone industry to put an end to the talk that cell phones were hazardous to your health. Unfortunately, what he found was not what he’d been paid to find. Instead, he discovered that they DO, in fact, cause damage.

The cell phone industry offered him a position for $1 million a year to silence him, but he refused, and started a non-profit institute called The Safe Wireless Initiative to inform the world of this danger instead. I highly recommend you check out his site as he has compiled excellent resources on interventions you can use to maximize your health and minimize your risks.

I also tried to spread the word about the dangers of cell phones via a Today Show interview I did last year. Well, they only aired four seconds of my 20-minute interview, completely censoring the supporting evidence that cell phones can cause damage.

Tips to Limit Your Damage from Information-Carrying Radio Waves

There quite simply is no safe biological threshold for exposure to information-carrying radio waves, and there is, quite honestly, little you can do to avoid them 100 percent.

But you can reduce your, and your family’s, exposure by taking the following commonsense precautions:
  • Limit the amount of time you spend on a cell phone or cordless phone.
  • Use a wired headset to limit your exposure to the cell phone -- ideally, an air tube headset that conducts sound but prevents any radiation from traveling up the wire to your brain. Also make sure the wire is SHIELDED, which prevents the wire from acting as an antenna that could attract more information-carrying radio waves directly to your brain. Wireless BlueTooth headsets should be avoided.
  • Limit your exposure to WiFi routers. Find out where they are located in your work environment and stay away from them.
  • If you have any land-based (non-cellular) portable phones, do NOT use anything other than the 900 MHz phones as the Gigahertz phones stay on continuously, blasting you with information-carrying radio waves 24/7.
  • Use the speakerphone instead of putting the phone to your ear; this is probably one of the single most important steps you can take other than not using your cell phone.
  • Limit calls inside buildings.
  • Use the phone in open spaces as often as possible.
  • Limit use by children and preadolescents, or don’t let them use cell phones at all. Children’s developing nervous systems and thinner skulls are simply too vulnerable to cell phone damage.
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Community Comments ( 123 )
 Comment on this Article
  
  
Jeff Byrne
 [ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on January 24, 2008 ]
26 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User
Not to worry people.  I heard they are coming out with a vaccine for cell tower cancers.
NeuroGuard
or
Cellsafe
or GimmeaFngbreakasil
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Reesacat
 		[ Joined on 01/07 ]  [ Posted on January 24, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Good one, Jeff!
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
8 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Thx for the good news!  Let's see...that's a choice between paralyzed for life or early death from cancer.
Mercola
  
zimjoyzy
 		[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
4 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Anyone know what it considered a "safe" distance to live form one of these towers. We live about two kilometers from one in South Africa.
Mercola
  
Naturgirl
 		[ Joined on 02/08 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
5 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

To check where a tower is near you go here: www.cellreception.com/towers

Thanks Dr. Mercola for adding this post, now I know where the towers are near me, about a 1/2 mile away.

My question though is what is the safety zone, is it a mile, two or what?

Mercola
  
Mainmat
 		[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

It depends on what they've got the power output set at. Back when I was in the cell phone field, the towers could be turned up to to "10 miles" depending on location and complaints from the area.
  
  
Patty D
 [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on January 22, 2008 ]
15 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Vodafone is working on a new longterm lease from South Gloucestershire Council. A spokesman said the company took residents' concerns "extremely seriously" and would continue to work with them and the council to provide reassurance.

Not find a solution, but provide reassurance.  That makes me sick!!!  If they took the concerns seriously the tower would be gone.  Providing "reassurance" instead of action would do nothing but make me angrier.  In another article Bridestein mentioned understanding those who hole up with guns and defy the government...  Will this kind of bull, I can see why.  Wonder what would happen if the residents got together emasse and disabled the towers?
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
13 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

If enough people get angry, we can bring down the towers using legal means.  In Britain and other countries, people have gotten angry enough to go knock them down.  The problem is that the majority in most places are said to still want the service, and this is probably true in many places.  The important thing is determining how big the demand is, then persuading people they are unhealthy (as we are doing here) and finding acceptable solutions or compromises.  The towers of doom have been stopped in many places already.
  
  
banEMR
 [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on February 7, 2008 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Excerpt from an excellent article by cell phone researcher Paul Doyon:

So, what can we do?  Life on this planet evolved over millions of years and – now – is being threatened by a mass unconsciousness!  On one end, we have the greed – and hence deception – of the extremely rich and powerful mobile-phone industry.  On the other hand, we have a mass stupidity and selfishness – and hence denial – of people who are so addicted to their little Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) that they refuse to give them up.

A severe crime is being committed by a cell-phone-toting humanity against all life on this planet.  The only true solution is for us to give up our electromagnetic toys and demand that the towers-of-death be removed, dismantled, and demolished.  However, whether or not this will indeed happen will depend on the level of consciousness of the population.  If it doesn't then we will face severe problems including severe shortages of food – to say the least.  Change has to begin with us if we are going to take responsibility.  Only the irresponsible will expect someone to come along and save them or rather resort to blaming others when the *** hits the fan.  We really do need to get rid of these death-ray devices and encourage everyone else we know to do the same until the powers-that-be find a safe (or safer) alternative – e.g. fiber-optics proposed by the late biophysicist Dr. Neil Cherry and presently promulgated by Dr. George Carlo.  If we don't, it won't be much longer until we follow the path of the birds and the bees – and there will be no one to blame but ourselves!

Google the article title to find it on the Internet and read it carefully (especially you cell phone users!):

"Are The Microwaves Killing the Insects, Frogs, and Birds? And Are We Next?"

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
sobber
 		[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
-3 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

dont worry 2012 will bring all the towers down...; did u guys seen future world map? very interesting...

www.bibliotecapleyades.net/.../cambiostierramapas05.jpg
  
  
foxtroter
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on January 22, 2008 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Oh, things like this just happen in the UK.  This would neve have happened in America----yeah right.      Fortunately they have socialized medicine to take care of health problems like this---well. . . .
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Russ Bianchi
 		[ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on January 23, 2008]
10 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
HillaryCare will protect you Doc.... NOT!
Mercola
  
Beccadog
 		[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
5 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Socialized medicine does not prevent illnesses like this from occurring.  They may have health care, which not everyone in the USA has, but western medicine is after the fact.  What the U.K. and many European countries are doing is often using the precautionary principle, which is first do no harm.

Unfortunately, there have to be more peer reviewed studies, for this principle to often go into effect.

However, in the USA, even when it is known what causes certain cancers, and the information was (much has been removed) in the data base at the National Institutes of Health, the governing body in the White House right now does nothing to protect the life of the developing fetus, much less the parents or family.  They only protect the polluters from the rest of us; and use industry created science rather than peer-reviewed science.  
Mercola
  
Karel
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 7, 2008]
7 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

The European socialized medicine is bad - as I know from experience here in Europe. Patients are no clients, but subjects of "care". We do not have to pay for surgeries and similar conventional methods, but if you want to use alternative docs you have to pay everything. In the end, you pay for the bad conventional medicine via higher taxes, and you pay for alternative care cash. I.e. you pay twice. Also, conventional doctors are paid by the state or "insurance companies" (in fact tax collecting companies) and that is why these docs view patients as something that is not important, not a source of their income, but "pieces" to be processed.

But US medicine is also partially socialized in the sense that there is no free market - entry into the market is very difficult on the supply side and that means everything costs way too much, just because of the regulations. And in another sense - the methods of healing are not totally free to choose by docs and patients, just like in the European socialized system.

A better option is not the European socialized system and not the US medical care system, but a true free market system where the patient is in the center of choosing care, that is not overpriced because of high competition.
  
  
Russ Bianchi
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on January 22, 2008 ]
11 Points