Over seventy-five parents and students attended a recent informational session regarding the installation of a cell tower on East Aurora School district property. The East Aurora Bee reported that Phoenix Tower International discussed the tower’s structure and how it will improve cell phone signals in the school.
David Rodriguez, National director of U.S. Operations for Phoenix Tower International, gave a tutorial on tower radiation: “There are two types of radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation,” he said.
“Ionizing radiation is the kind of radiation that’s in UV rays, and x-rays, it’s the kind of radiation that breaks down DNA,” Rodriguez told the locals. “Non-ionizing radiation is the same radiation that’s propagating off these antennas,” he said. “The worst thing that can happen to you at a cell tower is if you actually put your hand on the antenna and keep it there, what it’ll do is heat tissue. It will not break down DNA. Non-ionizing radiation is the same radiation found in microwave ovens,” he added.
Several parents voiced safety concerns regarding the project, specifically related to radiation, reported the Bee. “You had to have known that people were going to be upset about safety,” said Anne Cardella. “You said if it’s not safe, you’re not going to do it. Clearly, it’s not safe.”
“As parents, we would never place children in a harmful position,” Rodriguez said. “In addition, the FCC regulates RF emissions. Wireless carriers must keep RF emissions well under their mandates.”
“East Aurora HS approached PTI based on their concern for the safety of their students,” Rodriguez told Inside Towers. “There is no signal inside the school building, so if an emergency happens, no one can place or receive a call. In light of contemporary dangers facing school students, the East Aurora HS administration wants to use every technological advancement to keep their students safe.”
Board of Education president Marybeth Covert said they are working on getting more information about the health risks, while superintendent Brian Russ stressed the importance of safety. “The safety of our students, both their physical safety and their safety under certain circumstances, are of the utmost importance,” he said, adding that the process would be taken in steps.
Covert said the board has not made any final plans about the tower. “The board of education has not made a decision to put a cell tower up at the high school yet, we were exploring that possibility, and this is as informative for us as it is for you guys, and so we will have further discussions around it,” she said. Comments? Email Us.
January 21, 2019
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