In-depth study on risks to public health of cell sites encouraged

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival wants the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to carry out a thorough and comprehensive study of the further risks posed by exposure to cellular phone tower radiation.

Once studied, Archival suggests that the requirement be strictly enforced in the application for Environmental Compliance Certificate.

In a resolution, Archival said that cell phone towers emit radio frequencies in the form of electromagnetic radiation for a distance of two and a half miles.

He said that even if these cell phone industries claim that the radiation emitted is on “tolerable or safe level”, a growing number of doctors, physicists, and health officials all over the world strongly disagree and foresee public health crisis on continued and long exposure to radiation from these cell towers.

“Studies have shown that even at low levels, the emission of electromagnetic radiation is dangerous to human health, as shown by cases of damages to human cells and the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), and further linked to brain tumors, cancer, suppressed immune function and numerous other serious illnesses,” Archival said.

Children, he said, are even at great risk because of their thinner skulls and rapid growth rate.

The elderly and pregnant women face the same health risk, he added.

Because of this, Archival said that the DENR should also revisit existing provisions on the requirements for ECC approval particularly Administrative Order 2003-30.

DA 2003-30 requires mobile phone companies to seek clearance from the Environmental Management Bureau, the agency tasked to monitor presence of pollutants and harmful effects of projects.

There is also a need to further implement the Philippine Environment Impact Statement System which ensures more effective project planning and management tool by making it more responsive to the needs of the project proponents.

It also standardized requirements to ensure focus on critical environment parameter with the assurance that the concerns are addressed during project development implementation.

The telecommunications industry is expanding rapidly with over hundreds of cell towers being erected across the country. – Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)