Some residents of Brandon Farms community in Hopewell Township are concerned about T-Mobile’s plans to place cell phone antennas on the existing water tower on Lawrenceville-Pennington Road.
The term “radiation” technically refers to electromagnetic radiation that includes radio and TV waves, microwaves (including your kitchen microwave oven), visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays. Importantly, cell phone antennas do not emit the more harmful ionizing radiation such as x-rays and gamma rays. Cell towers transmit and receive only non-ionizing radio-frequency radiation. The only known potential human health hazard from this non-ionizing radiation is heating. The radiation levels from cell towers at ground level or in residences are typically 1,000 times lower than the safe limit recommended by national and international agencies and organizations.
A concern often raised is the possibility of cancer or other adverse health effects. Since cell towers transmit only low levels of non-ionizing radiation, there is no biological theory or evidence to support concerns of cancer, birth defects, harm to children or any adverse health effects.
Another question people ask is whether cell antennas on a water tower can affect the water quality. The answer is “absolutely not.” There is definitely no chemical or molecular change to the water or anything else when material absorbs cell tower radiation. Cell tower antennas transmit the same type of radiation that heats water and food in your microwave oven, except at a power level millions of times lower.
Safe levels of non-ionizing radiation are set by several organizations, primarily the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP ). The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces this health-based standard for all licensed transmitters, including cell antennas.
In summary, residents can be reassured that radio-frequency radiation from cell towers will not cause any harmful health effects.
Wesley R. Van Pelt
Brandon Farms
