1996-07-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I Council Meeting Minutes July 23, 1996 Page 4 Council Business. continued Bill Buell, Nextel, said it is important to Nextel that its neighbors understand that Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR) cellular radio transmissions are very safe and pose no health risk. It is nothing more than a low power two-way radio, and the FCC tightly controls its frequency spectrum. The system is operated in the same 800 MHZ range as traditional cellular and UHF stations. The connection is from the mobile unit to the antennas on the water tower, and from there it goes into a land line system. The only live connection is from the antennas to the mobile unit which is fairly close. The connection will be utilized within a two-mile range. Maximum output per channel will be 50 watts as compared to traditional cellular at 100 watts per channel. Benke verified the electrical towers in Shoreview transmit 2.5 million watts. Buell said this technology went through a rigorous three year peer review process. Before safe levels were determined, a high safety factor of 50 was built into the assessment. Strong magnetic components from sources such as power lines emit stronger levels and have been linked to leukemic and cancers. An individual at 100 ft. distance from the tower base will be exposed to a power density at ground level of 0.031387 uW/cm2 which is 1,800 times safer than the standard. This statement assumes the use of 38 channels at 850 MHz which is much more than Nextel's output. Nextel's frequency is the same as a garage door opener or a baby monitor. Fulton asked if accumulated power density could occur when this site is combined with other tower sites. Buell has heard that other sites are not additive to this location's power density. Buell said the City of Minneapolis drafted an ordinance allowing antennas on institutional sites such as a park or school when located within a residential district. Samuelson asked if exposure is intermittent or continuous, and is Buell aware of literature stating potential health concerns. Buell said exposure is continuous and always changing, but will remain closer to a 7-channel1evel. Buell believes this literature is editorial, not peer reviewed, and not based on industry standards. There are no documented studies of harmful effects at the 800 MHz level. Benke asked if research is in progress. Buell said there is ongoing research, but the EP A has not given an opinion and the FCC has adopted industry standards. The media focused on a Florida lawsuit which a husband claimed a hand held cellular phone caused his wife's brain tumor. The case was thrown out because an expert was not found to testify regarding possible harmful effect'l of this technology. A hand held cellular phone is at a stronger intensity than the antennas. Benke added that any documentation regarding the harmful effects is really only the best of knowledge we have at this current time. O'Brien asked if these power density standards are accepted worldwide. Buell said some countries do not have standards, and does not know of any country refusing this type of technology . Fulton appreciates Mrs. Jerry's environmental concerns and requested information regarding output levels. Buell said they have performed testing in Chicago. Benke requested copies of this report. Fulton feels that a reference noting compliance with national safety standards should be in incorporated into the lease agreement. Fulton said the Minnesota Health Department was unaware of any studies available or health issues. Benke asked what scientific data did Congress use to make their decision relating to health concerns. He feels Senators Grams and Wellstone should be contacted as to why local governments were removed from the decision making process. Council Business Cellular Antenna on City Water Tower Site Report 96-160 Resolution 96-053