BellTelecommunicationsTower PortFranks
CitizensComments LetterandHealth Articles
CLReport492012 1
April 24 2012
Mayor Weber Deputy Mayor DavisDagg Members of Council co Carol McKenzie Clerk Municipality of Lambton Shores 7883 Amtelecom Parkway Forest Ontario NON 1J0
Dear Mayor Weber Deputy Mayor DavisDagg Members of Council
Re Proposed Bell Telecommunications Tower Port Franks
The close of the additional commenting period with respect to the above matter is today Tuesday April 24 2012
In Bell Canadas Public Consultation Package sent to the Municipality and landowners in mid February under the title of Local Land Use Require ments it is stated that At the conclusion of the public commenting period we will ask Council for a motion of concurrence for the proposal It is our understanding that the passing of a motion of concurrence at this point in the process would ensure that the proposed installation would go ahead as planned
At the next Council Meeting on Monday May 7 we ask that Council consider passing a motion of non concurrence It is our understanding that if Bell is not able to resolve the matter at this point they can request Industry Canadas engagement which would include further investigation
Thank you in advance for your consideration of the above
Sincerely
3feather Bradley n a firs
April 30 2012
Mayor Weber Deputy Mayor DavisDagg and Members of Council Municipality of Lambton Shores 7883 Amtelecom Parkway Forest Ontario NON 1J0
Dear Mayor Weber Deputy Mayor DavisDagg and Members of Council
After receiving more than 160 Position statements we would ask Council to please consider passing a motion of Non concurrence based on the fact that the proposed Bell towerantenna in Port Franks does not reflect the priorities of the population More time is needed to advise the residents and to allow the citizens of Port Franks to reach an informed decision Of the 100 persons who came to the Community Meeting almost all of them completed a Position Statement opposing a towerantenna installation in Port Franks a copy of many of these position statements was delivered to the Municipality office on April 23rd 2012
Only 10 homes in the area were notified about the proposed towerantenna during a period when many of these home owners were away and not in receipt of postal mail or local newspaper notices Further the information meeting arranged by Bells agent Proliferate took place on the very eve of a crucial submission deadline for residents There were also many mistakes made in the original Bell proposal which made it unclear we have received neither corrections nor clarification of these details The procedures and documents have resulted in many citizens feeling misled misinformed unheard and unrepresented
The Council should know that there are current lawsuits against Bell Canada for illnesses caused from cell towers being placed near private residences please see attached article In addition a recent study from Brazil concluded that cancer rates are higher the closer you are to cell antennas up to a radius of 500 metres please see another article attached
Bell is not considering colocating with the Rogers tower 7 km away It is our understanding that this is because of future 4GLlE technology that would allow subscribers to watch live TV on their phones Overwhelmingly of the hundreds of permanent residents of Port Franks that we spoke to none of them desire this service
We are still waiting after weeks of repeated inquiries to hear back from the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources More time is needed to ascertain whether or not the proposed towerantenna is in compliance with provincial and federal guidelines Port Franks is a unique area of wildlife and full of endangered species It would seem that caution should be exercised so as not to threaten this rare and beautiful environment
We appreciate your consideration
Melissa Chalmers Sherry Cook Sandra Dowhan Myrtle Armstrong Wendy HoyBright i 3
April 30 2012
To Lambton Shores Municipal Councillors
RE The Council Motion of Non Concurrence with the Bell Canada Transmission Tower Proposal for Seven Winds Marina meeting of May 7 2012
I have lived in Port Franks for 21 years In that time I have worked with several nature groups on lands that have been purchased for the preservation of endangered flora and fauna within the Port Franks geological bowl of sand dunes and Carolinian Forests We have the Karner Blue Sanctuary where I have seen wonderful things like hummingbird moths and helped to replant the carpets of lupines which are the food source for the Karner Blue Butterfly I have heard the call of the Whippoorwill here and seen Bald Eagles tundra swans cranes and other creatures too numerous to list here
Ive worked with the Nature Conservancy the MNR Lambton Wildlife and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority to purchase and preserve the Port Franks Forested Dunes Across the Ausable River is the Sherwood Fox Preserve and the Pinery habitat for the endangered five lined Skink
Our beach at Port Franks is consistently measured as having the cleanest water of the 4 major beaches of Ipperwash Pinery Grand Bend and Port Franks
Many other people in this area have been working more recently towards the goal of making and keeping this area natural and beautiful a sanctuary for the wild world in our woodlands
Port Franks wetland and woodlands are the central portion of a huge contiguous Carolinian woodland which stretches along the lake from Kettle Point to Grand Bend It encompasses sand dunes streams small lakes a river and beach areas Because of these existing conditions the rare creatures have enough habitat here to coexist with us We have a seasonal community which means that most of the year there arent as many people to disturb the wild areas
If a transmission tower is built anywhere here it will throw electromagnetic radiofrequency throughout the described areas above
Only a comparatively few properties are commercially used here Unfortunately this has enabled Bell Canada Corporation to insert its business interests here to the detriment of all that we residents value and have worked towards Property owners are often uneducated to the health risks of electromagnetic radiation when they are approached with an income generating idea from a corporate provider of cell phone services
Therefore I have made a point form reasons for why not here list below Please excuse the curtness of this communication but time is pressing and this must be sent in to you Why not
The Bell Transmission Tower will not bring any jobs or money into the local economy
It will be an ugly structure on our lakefront skyline
The radiation will have as yet unknown effects on local endangered flora and fauna few major independent from industry studies have been done
The Tower will reduce the value of the properties in Port Franks as the public learns the detrimental aspects of towers they will look to live at least a good distance from them
The Tower will frighten residents because the World Health Organization has declared this kind of radiation a possible carcinogen and we will worry and stress over the uncertainty
The Tower could cause about 3 percent of our residents to become electromagnetically sensitive
It could cause another 27 percent to have other less difficult but chronic health problems
Most people that live here that 1 have talked to do not want it and wish to have more studies and err on the side of caution rather than accept this technology as safe before proof is shown
It could negatively affect the business of the marina where it is located because boaters will not want to dock so close to a tower once they understand the health issues associated with it
It could negatively affect the income of the Conservation Marina owned by our municipality which is located at the next property for the same reasons
It could cause the Conservation Marina to lose its Blue Flag designation
There is an epileptic child who frequents the area in the shadow of the tower and neurological effects are known to occur from this kind of radiation
There could be a downward impact on cottage rental income when the negative health effects of towers become more widely recognized
Electrosensitive Canadians need a place to find respite from their condition As of yet there are no such places designated in Canada that 1 know of Because of its proximity to the Pinery with trails and a beach and local eateries as well as ample cottage rentals and boating this would be a perfectly suitable location for such a retreat It would be called a White Zone The Real Estate values would increase
The tower would encourage the tourists and cottage renters to bring more devices into our town All of these devices both send and receive electromagnetic radiation Because there is no way of regulating the influx of privately owned cell phones notebooks ipads and other G4 devices the electrosmog in our hamlet which is ringed by sand dunes and water could be extremely high Proliferate group
the Public Consultation time frame was inadequate and did not allow for a seasonal populace to properly and fully engage in discussion
Port Franks is a staging area and migration route for many endangered birds
There are residences too close in proximity to the proposed tower site
There is an aged population which could be more susceptible to the known cellular aging effects of this type of radiation
Canadas Health Act does not provide adequate protection from this type of radiation since the technology is outstripping the pace of independent studies of health effect the Process for approving applications for cell tower antennae under Industry Canada gives all control of public input to the Corporate proponent of the structure and allows for hearsay rebuttals to public concerns and generalized rebuttals to public concerns with no documented evidence to support them
If Bell Canada persists in this proposal for a transmission tower here in Port Franks I believe that the public backlash and press coverage will not be worth it for them I think that if Bell were to get on side with the residents here that their public relations would be better served and therefore their business interests preserved Bell Canada needs to allow for some refuge for people who are Electromagnetic Sensitive and wild areas somewhere in our world
Please vote non concurrence for this proposal and move forward with our community goal of preserving the natural beauty of Port Franks and our residents health so that we may continue to enjoy living here
Sincerely Wendy Hoy
Port Franks 4 0
In regards to Bell Canadas file W1888 note that there are 462 residences in Port Franks and only 10 of them were notified of the proposed cell tower antenna installation Note that some of those 10 notified residents are seasonal residents who have been absent during the notification period and envelopes that appear to contain notification Letters are presently unopened in their mailboxes Note that position statements of over 100 residents whose position is that they do not want this installation nor any other cell tower antenna installation in Port Franks Ontario have been sent to you by postal or other delivery methods Note that other residents continue to provide additional position statements and CBC blood and urine participation notices after the packages were sealed for delivery to you by postal or other methods p PV909
it April 21 2012
Bell Canada co Sean Galbraith Proliferate Consping Group Inc 21A Price Street Toronto Ontario M4W IZ1
Re Bell Proposed Canada antenna installation Port Franks W 1888 Consultation Response Dear Bell Canada
You are receiving this document because we provided comment to you before and during the recent open consultation period and in accordance with email correspondence details provided Sean Affairs by Galbraith Municipal Manager Proliferate Consulting Inc for Group Agents Bell Canada we choose to this document as provide additional follow comments At no up time is this document to be considered our full and final comments
We have received position statements from over 100 individuals who live or visit and regularly Port Franks do not want telecommunication towers nor telecommunication antennas installed in Port Franks A copy of each of those individuals position statements accompanies this document as well as our statements Also position accompanying this document is a multi list page of the individuals who have indicated their interest in CBC blood and urine testing We are to continuing receive both additional position statements and CBC blood and urine there testing request is no deadline for of those statements and receipt position CBC blood and urine testing request
Information in this document in these position statements and in the CBC blood and urine must not be testing lists divulged of this letter are Recipients forbidden from individuals doctors unless future contacting listed explicit written permission is provided by the individuals
Best regards
41 air 7Z40 Wendy Hoy Bright 7503 Dune Drive Port Frank Ontario NOM 2L0 7941 Katharine Sandy Dowhan Crescent Port Franks Ontario NOM 2L0 Melissa 10132 Jennison Chalmers Crescent Grand Bend Ontario NOM 1TO Sherry Cook 7490 Dune Drive Port Franks Ontario NOM 2L0 Sue Houston 10014 McCordic Lane Port Franks Ontario NOM 2L0 Myrtle Armstrong Mud Creek Trail Port Franks Ontario NOM 2L0
cc Prime Minister Stephen Harper Industry Canada Municipality of Lambton Shores Mayor and Councillors Environment Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ministry of Health 7 Bev Shipley MP Wade Oostennan Bell Mobility Proliferate Consulting Group Inc Position Statement Against Cell Tower Antennas In Port FranksOntario
NAME
ADDRESS
PItOE NUIvMBEk
EMAIL ADDRESS
I oppose telecommunication towers and antennas being constructed or installed in Port Franks Ontario Bell Canada needs to know that I oppose these towersand antennas due to concern regarding the biological effects that are health effects resulting from exposure to radiation Our area is one of the few natural environments left in Canaria and we request all authorities including Industry Canada deem our area a White Zone where generation and emission of commercial radiofrequency energy are prohibited Environment Canada needs to know that I oppose these towers and antennas because their constant radiation emissions densely pollutethe environment of the endangered species in our area bald eagle skink whistler swan snapping turtles kamer blue butterfly as well as Canada geese deer sandhill crane heron ducks and over 130 species of fish in our Ausable River This is a sensitive area that includesunique ecological and Ilmnologeal ecosystems due to natural sand dunes and Carolinian forest Our public areas include an extensive system of nature trails at present 11 kilometres Attention Stephen Harper I am opposed to these towers and antennas because we are located between Pinery Provincial Park and Kettle Point We dont even have any streetlamps in our Lake Huron Community and we like it that way We are not an industrial area and should not be erecting harmful antennas based on the opinion ofIndustry Canada We areone of the few truly natural environments in Canada Unless you receive future written notice from me I explicitly refuse to allow Bell Canada and any other product or service provider to irradiate the indoor and outdoor spaces at my residence and at publicly accessible areas in Port Franks with electromagnetic energy used for commercial purposes of telecommunication My childrens future is being critically compromised by such radiation exposures We must stop this together Sent or delivered as hardcopy andor email to the following Stephen Harper pm@pmgccaIndustry Canada info@ic gccaEnvironmentCanada enviroinfo @ec gccaFisheriesand Oceans Canada info @dfo mpogccaHealthCanada info @hc scgccaBevShipley bev shipley @parlgccaBillWeber bweber @lambtonshores caElizabethDavis Dagg elizabethdavisdagg@gmail com DougCookdcook @lambtonshores ca DougEonesteel dbonesteel@lambtonshores caLorie ScottIscott@lambtonshoresca Dave Maguire dmaguire@lambtonshoresca Ruth Inman rillman@lambtonshoresca John Russell jrussellaSlambtonshores ca Martin Underwoodmunderwood@ambtonshoresca Bell Canada feedback@msxbell ca Sean Galbraithsgalbraith@proliferategroupcomTowerPF @yahoo com SIGNATUREDATE r
Carol McKenzie
From John Russell russ2353@yahoocom Sent April3012 424 PM To Carol McKenzie Subject Fw Oakville Bronte Ontario towerantenna citizen position Attachments Letter to S Cheynepdf
Forwarded Message From Melissa melissarama@yahooca To John Russell russ2353 @yahoocom Sent Monday April 30 2012 24124 PM Subject Fw Oakville Bronte Ontario towerantenna citizen position
Hi John
Attached is a letter from from Bell to Sharon Cheyne you might want to read it first Below is her response I thought youd find it interesting and helpful A part of it was removed as it is personal and even though she was ok with sharing it I think it shouldnt be included legal stuff
Melissa
Forwarded Message From Barb Payne barb@transcriptionherocom To Melissa melissarama@yahooca Sent Monday April 30 2012 23444 PM Subject Oakville Bronte Ontario towerantenna citizen position
The email copy below is in response to the attached pdf letter from Bells National Manager Site Acquisition Government Relations One of your packages hand delivered on April 23rd 2012 was addressed to another Bell Executive at the same location as Mr Lavery Mr Wade Oosterman President Bell Mobility 5099 Creekbank Road East Tower Mississauga Ontario Barb This is what I replied to Colin Lavery
Original Message From sharon cheyne To colinIavery@ bellca Sent Friday April 27 2012 919 AM Subject Did you review the contract yourself
Thankyou for rewritting to me Bells claims of ethical business practices Im really sorry that I wasnt able to speak to you at least once before I received your final communication Oh well
It seems to me that Bell is of the thought that HRPS halton region police services owns the tower and the land that they have sub leased to you They dont HRPS in fact aretennants on town property and have a lease of their own Oops Also you stated in your letter that it has been operating for 17 years Wrong again HRPS received a building permit to construct an emergengy service radio tower and foundation on June 6 1997 Therefore unless like you at Bell the HRPS built the tower before they received permission it will only have been in service for 17 years on June 6 2014 That is if it was built on the same day the permit was received
I have owned my property on this river since Nov 30 1994 My property is 380 ft long x 120 ft wide I back onto the Bird and Fish Sanctuary which is this section of Lake Ontarios Salmon breeding area and a proposed GREENBELT linking the river above QEW to the lake All your equipment AND possibly even the entire police service tower will be removed by the Greenbelt restrictions When you did your research did you realize this tower at 2535 rebecca was 3540m from bank of a protected river
I want to tell you that I have a 30 racing sailboat on Lake Ontario with which I have won the Lady Helmsman of the year trophy twice I have been designing my own sails and studying clouds and wind patterns to find best wind available for years Ive had roll overs blownout sails been thown in lake numerous times had hypothermia a few timesand lots of rain and electical storms However Ive never sunk a boat Ive been sailing for 28 years I wont be racing this year as I will be spending this summer pusuing a lawsuit against Bell in memory of my sister Cindy who died of a brain tumor I have had a home evaluation and have secured snip a very large amount00 in credit against my home for this purpose And Ive removed my GPS and my charting equipment from my boat to aid me in this process as well
I have charted 30 points of interest within the area of the HRPSTown of Oakville tower and using my RFMW radiation meter along with my GPS exact positioning of degrees minutes and seconds and with a date and time display I have one photo frame of each point with meter reading position and time 4 times of day 1 have recorded the data so that I have baseline readings of these 30 points When the Bell transmitters become active I will then record using photography GPS position and RF meter the same 30 points 4 times daily until I get sufficient readings to launch the lawsuit This process will not exaust me and I wont stop until Bell is forced to remain in commercial zones and most definitely with a 500 meter setback to preschoolsschools and homes until research is complete The other answer is that commercial radio transmitters be restricted to a safer 1000 microwatt limit from the bases as is done in Europe combined with more intelligent devices and modems that use on demand service
snip
My last point to you is that I will be printing and having delivered Oakvillewide a photo I have of the tower over the Nursury School Seedlings which clearly shows the play area parking lot and building and BELL Transmitters standing directly over and pointing down to them NICE JOB COLINI I will begin distribution as soon as the transmitters become active at 2535 Rebecca
Am I crazy No BELLS sneaky manouvers and complete disregard for Childrens Health and Future Health has driven me to help protect them And I will find a way Races are won by endurance
Finally I have ordered German screening and will be flying a protective mainsail on the south side of my property to protect my property from your radiation I will be using sail rigging and my large trees to block Bell
Now I can go out and help others including a client of mine snip who lives directly across from Bells HOUSE currently being protested My client has very high readings on second floor master bedroom deck which faces transmitters hidden behind treeline Two children under 10 And has just been diagnosed with LYMPHOMA
Please excuse my many spelling mistakes I dont have time to correct them Many important things to do Seriously SharonCheyne
End of Forwarded Message
2 BelI April 24 2012
Ms Sharon Cheyne
RE Halton Region Bell Mobility Co located Antenna Installation 2535 Rebecca St Oakville
Dear Ms Cheyne
I am writing to you with respect to several recent telephone discussions with Barry Chapman and Matthew Milligan of Bell including voicemail messages left on April 14 and to conclude discussion with respect to the matter of Bell Mobilitys antenna installation upon the Region of Haltons wireless communications tower
Bell Mobility plans to operate a wireless antenna installation on the aforementioned existing tower infrastructure in order to provide enhanced wireless communications coverage and network capacity to the local area around the fire station at 2535 Rebecca St At the direction of our regulator as laid out in Client Procedures Circular CPC 2 003 CPC 2 003 Industry Canada requires Bell to determine whether an existing tower is available for co location within the required search area in advance of proposing to construct any new tower infrastructure In this particular instance Bell identified a tower owned and operated by Halton Regional Police as meeting Bells location criteria The existing Halton Region tower has been used to provide wireless communications services for the past 17 years Since the candidate meets the requirements of Bell and fulfilled our obligations as set out in CPC 2 003 we entered into an agreement to co locate on the tower with the Region of Halton
Health and safety standards relating to wireless antenna communications facilities are established by the Industry Canada Health through Canada Safety Code 6 is the standard established by Health Canada that sets the exposure standard for all mobile phones base stations Wi Fi and other radio communications emitting infrastructure in Canada Safety Code 6 which was updated in 2009 is the result of thorough and ongoing scientific review Its standards are in line with World Health Organization requirements and are comparable those in other jurisdictions including the US and most European countries Industry Canada has made compliance with Safety Code 6 on a cumulative basis ie taking into account all of the emissions from a given site a condition of licence Questions regarding and comments surrounding the relevance and appropriateness of Safety Code 6 as an overall measure for radiocommunications broadcasters are best directed to Health Canada Health Canada readily accepts feedback and questions for discussion We would encourage you to make your views known to Health Canada for consideration during the its regular reviews of Safety Code No 6
In conclusion I would like to confirm Bells position that the site is safe and when commissioned the site will operate in accordance with all applicable health and safety requirements We trust you will find the information useful and this concludes our correspondence on this matter
Yours Truly
Bell Mobility Inc Colin Lavery National Manager Site Acquisition Government Relations 5099 Creekbank Road Building D Floor 6 Mississauga ON L4W 5N2
1 V Carol McKenzie
Subject FW TTAGPortFranks Fwd Kill the Tower not US
April 25 2012 The Honourable Christian Paradis 235 Queen Street Ottawa ON K1A OH5
RE W1888
Dear Minister
I am writing you today on behalf of constituents in my riding of LambtonKent Middlesex Specifically I want to draw to your attention concerns more than 100 area residents have with a proposal by Bell to install a wireless communications tower in the community of Port Franks Ontario
In this regard I have carefully reviewed the information detailed in CPC2003 Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems and its associated requirements
In this regard I have been advised by municipal officials that the Municipality of Lambton Shores did not have a Local Land Use Authority or a policy respecting communications towers at the time the applicant made the proposal As such the Applicant is relying on the requirements as prescribed in the Industry Canada Default Process It is my understanding the Municipality has now implemented a Land Use Policy respecting the installation of communications towers It is not clear to me whether or not this policy would apply retroactively to this application Municipal officials have further advised me that they have not yet given concurrence to the proposal by way of a council resolution
Based on the information I have received to date I am not persuaded the applicant has fully met the requirements under section 13 section 3 and section 4
Therefore on behalf of my constituents I am asking you to deny approval to the applicant until such time as you have had the opportunity to review this matter to ensure full compliance
It is my view that the parties should participate in further attempts to mitigate or resolve any outstanding concerns by residents of Port Franks
Thank you in advance for reviewing this matter and I look forward to your response
Yours truly
BEV SHIPLEY MP LambtonKent Middlesex
1 April 3 2012 1
Industry Canada Spectrum Management Central and Western Ontario District Suite 201 390 Brant Street Burlington Ontario L7R 4J4
Dear Sir or Madam
RE Proposed Bell Communication Tower Port Franks Lambton Shores Ontario
Bell Canada is proposing a new wireless telecommunication antenna installation in Port Franks Bell File W1888 and their consultant Proliferate Group has been working through the approval process
As a result of discussions in the community the Council for the Municipality of Lambton Shores has received correspondence and delegations from residents opposed to the proposed locations both for environmental reasons and the close proximity of residences in the area These concerns have been passed on to the Bell Canada representatives
The consultants representing Bell Canada have undertaken the required public consultation process as required by Industry Canada and many of these concerns outlined for Council were also raised during the public consultation process
Bell Canada has conducted the requisite Public Consultation however the municipality is still very concerned about the proposed location identified for the tower because of its proximity to residential and environmentally sensitive lands in the community The Community has apprehensions about the potential health impacts from these communication towers and feels that Bell Canada has not adequately addressed those concerns
Although the municipality has limited control over the location for towers Council considered and approved a Policy 61 copy attached which established a Protocol for Establishing Telecommunication Facilities which discourages towers from being located in residential or environmentally sensitive areas
Council strongly urges Industry Canada to request Bell to continue its search for a more appropriate location that will not negatively impact the very sensitive natural environment of the Port Franks area and is not located near residentially zoned properties
Thanking you in advance for your attention to this matter
Yours truly
Carol McKenzie Clerk Carol McKenzie
From John Russell russ2353 @yahoocom Sent April 30 12 429 PM To Carol McKenzie Subject Fw Canadian Federal inquiry in 2010 RFEMR incl cell network antenna emissions
Forwarded Message From Barb Payne barbtranscriptionherocom To russ2353yahoocomcar Melissa melissa ramayahooca Sent Monday April 30 2012 35016 PM Subject Canadian Federal inquiry in 2010 RFEMR incl cell network antenna emissions
Note this is from year 2010 ie prior to World Health Organization declaration as 2B possible carcinogen and prior to more research both old and new being brought to light
Note the Committees recommendations near the bottom just above the footnotes to which there has not been effective response nor fulfillment by most political parties
Also I draw your attention to a footnote at the following link that includes HESAs own judgment that this footnote IS important 33 It is important to note that Industry Canada officials did not specify which accredited bodies were providing certification of portable radio communication equipment http www part gc ca HousePubiications Publicationaspx DocId 4834477 File 27 Language E M ode 1 Part 40 Ses 3
Parliament of Canada AN EXAMINATION OF THE POTENTIAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION please viewshare the entire official link as above below are only excerpts
Committee Observations and Conclusions
During the course of its study the Committee heard from several witnesses including department officials that Canadians were protected from excessive exposure to RF electromagnetic radiation by Safety Code 6 a standard developed by Health Canada through a rigorous review of the extensive available scientific evidence The Committee also heard that Canadian standards were in line with those in other jurisdictions as well as recommendations provided by international bodies such as the World Health Organization However the Committee also heard that some studies had found that there were negative health effects resulting from exposure to low levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation It also heard that there were gaps in the scientific literature related to childrens exposure effects on brain function and possible effects on reproductive capacity Moreover the Committee heard that longterm studies on the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation were necessary as well as ongoing review of the scientific literature Finally the Committee also heard from witnesses that more publicly funded studies examining the health impacts of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation were necessary The Committee therefore recommends that
RECOMMENDATIONS
1 The Government of Canada consider providing funding to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in
1 support of Tong term studies examining the potential health impacts of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation
2 Health Canada request that the Council of Canadian Academies or another appropriate independent institution conduct an assessment of the Canadian and international scientific literature regarding the potential health impacts of short and longterm exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation which would include an examination of electromagnetic sensitivity and a comparison of public policies in other countries governing exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and report on its findings
3 Health Canada and Industry Canada develop a comprehensive risk awareness program for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation which would include Health Canada making public in an accessible and transparent way all the studies and analyses undertaken by the Department on the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on human health as well as the provision of information promoting the safe use of wireless technologies
4 Health Canada and Industry Canada offer to provide information including awareness sessions on exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation
5 Health Canada ensure that it has a process in place to receive and respond to reports of adverse reactions to electromagnetic radiation emitting devices
2 41st PARLIAMENT 1st SESSION EDITED HANSARD NUMBER 110 CONTENTS Wednesday April 25 2012
http wwwparlgcca HousePublicationsPublicationaspx DocId 551 9584 Language E Mode 1 Par1 41 Ses 1 OOB 7532252
Mr Terence Young Oakville CPC Mr Speaker I would like to present to the House a petition signed by over 300 of my constituents The petition raises concerns about potential health effects related to the electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellphone towers I share these concerns I believe the precautionary principle must be used when determining where cellphone towers are installed I am happy to present this petition for a response from our government 1 f4 44WW17
a b f i s sf Way 4 A i j ntigonish County couple files lawsuit
e Posted on December 6 2011 by Brian Lazzuri 4 editorthecasket z A dna Pettipas reviews some of the documentation she has accumulated for her lawsuit y ai Bell Aliant Communications Inc Edna and Marshall w 3 gnst Regional Pettipass attorney Tfe t am MacGillivray filed the lawsuit at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Nov 30 It that a cell tower Bell Aliant on the is them w leges phone placed Pettipas property making s Debbie Johnson photo
j or Marshall and Edna Pettipas what was supposed to be a dream home has turned into a t 4v nightmare The Antigonish couple has launched a lawsuit against Bell Aliant Regional Communications Inc claiming a telecommunications tower built on their property has made t them sick The Pettipas bought their 1 6acre property in 1993 with the hopes of one day building a home with views of St Georges Bay In 2001 they were approached by Bell Aliant about the possibility of placing a cell phone tower on the property Edna Pettipas said the couple faced intense pressure by the company
They told us that we either agree to let them put the tower up there behind the house or if we didnt they would go to a neighbour and the tower could have been located beside or in front the house she said I felt blackmailed
The Pettipas entered into a 20year lease In exchange for allowing the tower to be built on their land they receive 5000 per year
The couple did have concerns about the tower but they were reassured that there were no safety issues other than falling ice which necessitated a 300foot fallout zone The tower was built in 2002 and the couple began construction on their home in 2007
The home 600 feet from the tower was completed in time for the family to move in Christmas Eve day
We started getting sick instantaneously Pettipas said The more exposure we got the more we got sicker At first the couple thought the house was gassing off or they were experiencing allergies By September 2008 she and her teenage daughter moved out of the house after discovering her cancer tracer levels were through the roof
When 1 moved out of the house these cancer tracer levels started going down Eventually they came down to normal levels They tried moving back into the house in March 2009 but didnt last the day She stopped going in the house Later she noticed that just visiting the property made her sick I decided to call Bell Aliant and the contact person admitted that there could be potentially dangerous radiation being given off by the tower Pettipas said She said dont worry whatever it is we will fix it
In April 2009 the company agreed to send out a technician to measure the radiation levels A few months later a technician came but measured no radiation Prior to that Pettipas had hired a company from Ontario to measure the radiation The results differed
I brought a meter 1 had purchased and the technicians eyes almost popped out of his head she said The two measured and discovered radiation The technician blamed his reading on a faulty meter which he had dropped the week prior
She said after the technicians visit and about a year ago Bell Aliant put up danger signs warning about radiation In September 2009 she asked Aliant to remove the tower or to pay for all the house related expenses A month later her request was denied The Pettipas then hired lawyer Jamie MacGillivray who filed the lawsuit at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Nov 30 They lied to us from the get go she said They told us we would not be subjected to any emissions If we had known this we would have never signed that contract We signed that contract on lies the Since Pettipas house in unlivable their property value has plummeted and their insurance company will not insure the house She said nine acres of their property has been made tax exempt by the county Pettipas said she is aware of no federal guidelines for how far residences are to be built from cell phone towers Federal guidelines state the maximum amount of radiation exposure over a six minute period
Bell Aliant spokeswoman Jacqueline Michelis said the company always meets and usually exceeds the strict regulations set out by Industry Canada regarding the location and operation of cell sites including community consultation safety regulations and other requirements Michelis said the company has several thousand cell site locations across Canada and that each one complies with all applicable government regulations The guidelines are too high Pettipas said There are people getting sick below the guidelines
said the a Pettipas losing property is real concern as they now own two homes They removed their belongings from their new home last summer I got sick again If I go to the house my cancer tracers go sky high and if I stay away they return to normal She has been diagnosed with electromagnetic hypersensitivity EHS which is characterized by skin redness tingling and burning as well as fatigue tiredness concentration difficulties dizziness nausea heart palpitation and digestive disturbances World Health Organization studies indicate that EHS affects a few individuals per million people
Pettipas has also been diagnosed with breast cancer On Dec 12 she will have a mastectomy There is also a concern about other cancers I have a long road ahead of me yet she said In the lawsuit the couple seeks compensation for physical emotional and financial hardships None of the claims have been proven in court She said if Bell Aliant removed the tower and compensated the family they would move into their home
We were dreaming that today Thats our dream home its a beautiful home and the scenery is unreal That is why we bought the property No matter what happens things will never be the same I wont be getting my breasts back 1 may never completely recover from this but Ill take what I can get if I am completely compensated It would be nice for me to move into my dream home Couple sues to have cell tower removed LecemDer 3 211 7 10am BY AARON BESWICK TRURO BUREAU
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Edna and Marshall Pettipas are suing Bell Aliant over a cellphone tower erected near their Antigonish County home AARON BESWICK Truro Bureau
AFTON An Antigonish County couple is suing Bell Aliant claiming a cellphone tower on their property has damaged their health
In Feb 2002 Marshall and Edna Pettipas signed a lease with Bell Aliant that allowed the company to erect a tower on an empty six hectare tot in exchange for annual payments which are now 5800
In 2007 the Pettipass estimate they spent 350000 building a house about 180 metres from the base of the tower
In a statement of claim filed with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Wednesday the couple allege that representatives of Bell Aliant convinced them to allow the tower onto their property by saying they wouldnt be exposed to danger
The Pettipas family physician has signed a letter attributing Ednas poor health to the tower In documents filed with the court the couple complains of variety of symptoms from burning eyes to nausea
The Pettipas allege a breach of contract and misrepresentation by Bell Aliant
The Pettipas claims have not been tested in court
Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
s1 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Arc Science of the 1 3 z Z 3 j Total Gnvimnment Science of the Total Environment Vt journal homepage wwwelseviercom locate scitotenv
Mortality by neoplasia and cellular telephone base stations in the Belo Horizonte municipality Minas Gerais state Brazil
Adilza C Dode abe Monica MD Ledo C Francisco de AF Tejo d Antonio CR Gomes e Daiana C Dode ef Michael C Dode e Cristina W Moreira b Vania A Condessa b Claudia Albinatti b Waleska T Caiaffa g
a Minas Methodist University Center Izabela Hendrix Belo Horizonte City Minas Gerais State Brazil b Municipal Government of Belo Horizonte Municipal Health Department Belo Horizonte City Minas Gerais State Brazil UFMGUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte Environmental and Sanitary Engineering Department Belo Horizonte City Minas Gerais State Brazil d UFCG Universidade Federal de Camping Grande Center of Electrical Engineering and Informatics Academic Unit of Electrical Engineering Paraiba State Brazil MRE Engenharia Electromagnetic Radiations Measurement Engineering Belo Horizonte City Minas Gerais State Brazil t Faculty of Medical Sciences MedicineBelo Horizonte Belo Horizonte City Minas Gerais State Brazil UFMGUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte Urban Health Observatory Belo Horizonte City Minas Gerais State Brazil
A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T
Article history Pollution caused by the electromagnetic fields EMFs of radio frequencies RF generated by the Received 14 January 2011 telecommunication system is one of the greatest environmental problems of the twentieth century The purpose Received in revised form 25 May 2011 of this research was to verify the existence of a spatial correlation between base station BS dusters and cases of Accepted 25 May 2011 deaths by neoplasia in the Belo Horizonte municipality Minas Gerais state Brazil from 1996 to 2006 and to Available online 13 July 2011 measure the human exposure levels to EMF where there is a major concentration of cellular telephone transmitter antennas A ofthe BSs and the cases of death identified in the Keywords descriptive spatial analysis by neoplasia was an The Assessment and management of impacts municipality performed through ecologicalepidemiological approach using georeferencing and environmental risks database employed in the survey was composed of three data banks 1 death by neoplasia documented by the Non ionizing electromagnetic radiation Health Municipal Department 2 BSs documented in ANATEL Agenda National de Telecomunicatoes Public health Telecommunications National Agency and 3 census and demographic city population data obtained from Radio base station official archives provided by IBGE 9nstituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica Brazilian Institute of Environmental electromagnetic pollution Geography and Statistics The results show that approximately 856 BSs were installed through December 2006 Environmental electromagnetic Most 3960 of the BSs were located in the CentroSul CentralSouthern region of the municipality field monitoring Between 1996 and 2006 7191 deaths by neoplasia occurred and within an area of 500 m from the BS the mortality rate was 3476 per 10000 inhabitants Outside of this area a decrease in the number of deaths by neoplasia occurred The greatest accumulated incidence was 583 per 1000 in the Central Southern region and the lowest incidence was 205 per 1000 in the Barreiro region During the environmental monitoring the largest accumulated electric field measured was 124 Vm and the smallest was 04 Vm The largest density power was 4078 pWan and the smallest was 004 Wcm 2011 Elsevier BV All rights reserved
1 Introduction mobile phones per 100 inhabitants and in Brazil there are 49979 BSs licensed through April 2011 ANATEL 2011 Mobile phone radio base stations RBSs are now found in cities The non ionizing electromagnetic radiation from the BSs is of low and communities worldwide They can be found near or even on top intensity compared to the current guidelines on human exposure of homes schools hospitals daycare centers and offices In Brazil the limits However its emission is continuous This raises concerns as to number of mobile phone users is estimated to be over 200 million and whether the health and wellbeing of people living or working close there are more than 5 billion users worldwide In the municipality of to the BSs are at risk Khurana et al 2010 Alanko et al 2008 Belo Horizonte the capital of the state of Minas Gerais there are The emission of a BS is usually described by its effectively radiated approximately 1000 base stations BSs with 12877 accesses by power in watts W which describes the total amount of radiation emitted by the antenna of the BS Their intensity called the power density is commonly measured in milliwatts per square centimeter Al the authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest 2 z mWcm or microwatt per square centimeter Wcm and it corresponding author at Rua Desembargador Assis Rocha 279 Bairro Belvedere the unit area to the external 30320250 Belo Horizonte MG Brazil TeL 55 031 3286 1892 expresses power per impinging normally Email addresses adilzadode@terracombrA 0Dade monica @desaufmgbrsurface of the subject The immission absorption of the subject is M MDLean measured by the specific absorption rate SAR which is reported in 0048
9697see front matter 2011 Elsevier B VAll rights reserved doi 10 1016j scitotenv201105051 3650 AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 watts per kilogram of body tissue Wkg The SAR reflects the power subjective methodology the study showed a peak of symptoms that is locally absorbed in a certain volume of biological tissue and is occurred at locations in the interval between 50 and 100 m from the proportional to the square of the local magnitude of the electric field BS which coincided with the typical distances at which the main lobe intensity For ethical reasons the SAR can only be assessed on animal reached the ground In another study also in France Santini et al 2003 models or inferred from virtual computational models of animal or surveyed dwellers living300 m from the BS and others who lived farther human subjects Lai 2000 away and found more complaints about irritability depressive Some scientific studies have shown evidence of increased numbers tendency memory loss problems with concentration dizziness within of cancer cases for people living less than 500 m from the BSs Eger 100 m headache sleeping disorder discomfort skin problem within et al 2004 Wolf and Wolf 2004 Eger and Jahn 2010 200 m and fatigue within 300 m among those living closer to the BS In the Belo Horizonte municipality and in many other urbanized and showed more variability in disease occurrence with distance Again cities and communities in Brazil the mobile phone network is deployed this study contained some biases because it was subjective and in regions of high demographic density close to homes and on the therefore did not result in a conclusion about the relationship between facades and roofs ofpublic or private buildings It is also common to have cancer and the amount of radiation exposure several antennas sharing the same support structure Navarro et al 2003 conducted a study of 145 people in Murcia This situation motivated the research of Dode Dode 2003 in the Spain but only included 101 questionnaires in the analysis Two groups Belo Horizonte municipality where a methodology designed to assess of participants were formed one that was living within 150 m of the BS the levels of electromagnetic radiation exposure of the dwellers was and another beyond 150 m The average measured power density was used based on the technical specifications of a sample of the installed 1tWcm at locations within 150 m and 01 Wcm beyond 150 m BSs Those estimated data were then compared to measured in situ This study also showed that complaints insomnia headaches difficulty data for the same set of BSs Fig 1 illustrates the site of a typical BS in concentration discomfort were greaterat locations where the power Base Station BH 20 in a residential area of the Serra neighborhood in density was higher inside the 150 m range the Belo Horizonte municipality and Fig 2 shows its geographical In Poland Gadzicka Gadzicka et al 2006 also used a questionnaire location Fig 3 represents the horizontal and vertical radiation to conduct a neurobehavioral clinical study involving 500 subjects The patterns per sector of the same BS This diagram has been obtained most important finding was the incidence of frequent headaches in from the technical archives documented by the operators in the subjects living less than 150 m from the BS However the study was Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente Municipal Environmental limited because of the lack of information about the technical Department the official organization of the municipality that is characteristics of the BS and the measurements of electromagnetic responsible for the environmental licensing of the BSs exposure Some studies have shown evidence of general risks to health and Eger et al 2004 carried out research in the city of Naila Germany specific risks of cancer associated with the physical proximity of the to examine whether people who live near mobile phone BSs were at transmitter antennas of the telecommunication network any risk of becoming ill with malignant tumors Their data bank One of the first of these studies indicated an association between consisted of records of patients from 1994 to 2004 While preserving data of almost 1000 cancer growth and a residence near a transmitter antenna Cherry the privacy of the information the personal 1999 Later Santini et al Santini et al 2002 carried out a qualitative subjects were examined The analysis showed that the number of those survey of 530 people living within 300 m of a certain BS Despite the newly developed cancer cases was significantly higher among
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Fig I BS site BH 20 in a residential area of the Serra neighborhood in Belo Horizonte municipality AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3651
BS Site BH 20 Maxitel Address 1373 Rua do Ouro Street Bairro Serra neighborhood Belo Horizonte municipality Latitude S 19 56 337 Longitude W 43 55 87
o51950 o o 4 az 0 RUA i o pJaii Tv D a e91p j m t 1 J z Az 3 k A I COLEGIO INTEG PRO O RDEP Q bl I Y 019644 ERNARDOg VIRJATO i t MAS AAK HAS r2918T A 08F1G i o47 1ty O 1t n h C 1 D ESCOOLLALU CIA CASASANTA ii RU N09 14 D t 033 z Z 0211 0 GUE 411 Y i 0 RUApBRpS per 1 1n II Q o CENTRO EDUCAICION a HENRitK1E
E1RA ro Vj p5g5R DAPRUA 1 o DGAN 7 W ES HERZL ci Py Zc 0A At1 l l HER 1 i g 089 7Zk 2 or ilrzffCARA1544 9cA Q 0
m P o QJ N 1 a oqPP 00REJ5up TRIFANCAt 44 l V NP A oN7INAVIANACASTELO BRA Q i p C2 0s J a rJ n10 o 90 U011 02 e p5 d P IC RUA 9 002208 goy o i3 Ooh p1Al0 383 1 RUPROBERTO GP5 N 125888 c gN I D IMJI fro tF 7 2 u P 1 QI IRUANAG o V li id 12rA2 300528 O
Fig 2 location of BS Site BH 20 at 1373 Rua Geographical do Ouro Street in the Serra neighborhood Belo Horizonte municipality Dode 2003
patients who had lived at distances within 400 m of the BS site further away The total number of participants n 622 group A were to the number of who had lived 400 m compared subjects beyond in individuals who had lived for a duration of three to seven years near a the same of time The former became sick period subjects eight years mobile phone BS and were also patients of a health care clinic The earlier on than the latter The average subjects BS came into exposure took place one year before the beginning of the study when the in 1993 From 1999 to 2004 that is after five BS came into operation years operation A second group of individuals n 1222 group of the operation transmitting installation the relative risk of suffering B who received medical care in a clinic near the BS and had from cancer was three times higher for the subjects living within environmental socioeconomic and occupational characteristics similar 400 m of the BS to the dwellers that This compared beyond distance to the first group was used as the control group In group A eight types of a milestone in the field because its results study represents clearly cancer had been diagnosed within a period of only one year This rate was demonstrate that the radiation from the BS contribute an may to compared both to the rate of 31 cases per 10000 people per year in the increase in the clinical manifestation of the disease and the general general population and the rate of two cases per 1222 people recorded in of even at levels development cancer exposure several orders of group B A 95 confidence interval to each rate was calculated and the rate lower than the limits of the magnitude current guidelines of cancer occurrence in group A was found to be significantly higher than Wolf and Wolf led a in the town of 2004 study Netanya Israel the rates of group B and the entire population The relative cancer rate was which showed an increase of 415 times in cancer incidence among 105 among the exposed women of group A 06 among the women of subjects within 350 m of the BS to those who had lived B living compared group and 10 for the entire town of Netanya Therefore the cancer 3652 AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
Cr 354 10 340
3 3301iiillig 111141481441ilt Ilk 320 ft 44 0 ai i 310 401L I4A A 5 Ait 4111 lla arah Tik or S IMi i 119 gam 10 i i iili s 111 ue 0 Mit 404411044411441113171 all Wititivit jei 010 Ili iiiVrr a
j 270 ti 90 t 7447
200 1111 4i 1110 ilt 1x444104 ef 1i 1 o l i i 1j tiff a X41 a ilt 240 124 atilii MI 234 V lr 130
21ii alai I SO
190 180 170
Horizontal and Vertical 2106 1995 737656 CS 0017043 EFB 1E El MI Radiation Patterns Name 870 MHz
Fig 3 Horizontal and vertical radiation patterns per sector of BS site BH 20 KATHREIN MOBILCOM BRASIL LTDA HUEMER E and LENSIG 10 1999 incidence in the women of group A was significantly higher p 00001 of already installed BSs and the proliferation of new wireless BSs not than the cancer incidence ofgroup B and the city as a whole A relative risk only for telephony but also for television The number of mobile comparison revealed that there were approximately 415 more cases of phone BSs which equaled 474 in 2003 had reached approximately cancer in group A than in the population as a whole The results although 856 in 2006 still not conclusive indicated a necessity to revise the current exposure Thus this research to study health was conducted in a broad limits in favor of more protective levels Both the estimated and measured environmental context aiming to verify if there is a spatial power densities in the entire exposed area in Netanya were far below correlation between the cellular telephony system BS location and 053 Wcm that is approximately 800 times lower than the exposure the cases of death by neoplasia during the period between 1996 and limit of 425 Wcm for the frequency of 850 MHz from the ICNIRP 2006 guidelines The aforementioned studies which aimed to find evidences of an 2 Materials and methods increase in cancer incidence with proximity to mobile phone BSs warrant additional research because the cellular phone technology is 21 Area of study relatively new and the associated total amount of environmental radiation is far from negligible The Belo Horizonte municipality with an area of approximately The inhabitants of the Belo Horizonte municipality and the 300 km of area has a tropical climate and is located at an average scientific community in general are also concerned about the number altitude of 900 m minimum of 800 m and maximum of 1200 m i
AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3653 11047 f f tleAetut J Ncas f c1 All r troy tf a1OaOEBTE
j ti CE9TE m
KiO a OM LAGOAQAPAMPULHA f
Ill 1 CIEWIRO NI 1V Z
Fig 4 The Belo Horizonte municipality and the nine SDs
above sea level The of the includes several kinds of geology city population with a large number of people living in apartment minerals and its soil of crystalline rocks is composed of dolomite buildings This fact along with the mountainous landscape force quartzite and various schists Constructed over phyllite many hills mobile phone operators to install their BSs at strategic points in the the city is surrounded by a mountain named Serra do Curral The on city mainly top of towers and poles as on the terraces of public or municipality is divided into nine or and administra regions sanitary residential buildings to ensure good coverage of the mobile phone tive districts SDs CentroSul CentralSouthern Norte network Northern Leste Eastern Oeste Western Noroeste Of the nine SDs the Central Southern region is the richest region of Northwestern Nordeste Northeastern Venda Nova Pam the city and is the third largest in number of inhabitants with 249862 and Barreiro 4 shows the pulha Fig Belo Horizonte municipality There are plenty of commercial and service shops several shopping and the nine SDs centers and many households with one or more families This SD also The has 55 universities and 36 and has several municipality colleges hospitals hospitals parks and leisure areas Most of the dwellers are a subway system 19 stations and 29 km of which containing track highly educated and belong to the middle and upper classes The 145000 a The transports passengers day majority of households are traffic is heavy because of the large number of vehicles that travel in served by potable water 993 collection that garbage 966 sewage region The Western region is less densely populated has no electric and landline 932 power 9983 phones 8143 skyscrapers and its inhabitants have low revenues The Barreiro and 12877 UNDP 2008 accesses by mobile phones per 100 region is the most populated after the Central Southern SD and has inhabitants 2011 through April ANATEL 2011 With these data many industries The most populated region with 338753 inhabi one can conclude that much of the population possesses a cellular tants is the Northwestern 1BGE 2000 phone and more than 28 of the inhabitants have more than one The has road city and railroad networks that link it to the main centers of 2 Study design the country as well as three airports More than 80 of the municipal is focused on commerce economy This ecological study consists of an exploratory spatiotemporal financial services real estate activities and administration The public analysis to determine whether there is an association between metallurgical industries iron and steel and ore including metallurgy clusters of BSs and deaths by neoplasia in the Belo Horizonte mining are located in the areas surrounding the metropolitan region municipality in the southeastern part of Brazil This design was but not in the CentralSouthern region chosen because of the possibility of using geographic areas as units of The city of Belo Horizonte has been selected the where each by Population analysis unit of analysis is composed of a group of Crisis Committee of the United Nations as the UN 2007 metropolis individuals or communities Therefore it is possible to determine with the best of life in Latin America and was ranked 45th in quality whether there is a correlation between a certain risk and the the world Its health system is considered to the very good according occurrence of certain grievances within the population In this type Atlas of Human Nations Development 2000United Development of study it is not possible to consider individual characteristics such Programme UNDP 2008 as food and life habits activity level smoking self medication The city had 2238332 inhabitants in 2003 and in 2010 2258096 individual pathologies or genetic factors GORDIS 2004 IBGE 2010 which suggests that the in the is stable population city The analysis was based on the following databases 1 A database However the city as in any urban area in Brazil has a concentrated of deaths by neoplasia documented in the Mortality Information 3654 AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
System SIM Sistema de Informacao em Mortalidade provided by interviewers taking into account the existence of geographical the City Health Department 2 A database of the site register of BSs barriers the population size and traffic flow There were a total of provided by the Brazilian Telecommunications Agency ANATEL 3 A 2563 Cts in the Belo Horizonte municipality IBGE 2000 database of the city census including demographic information provided by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics IBGE The death BS and population data were geocoded according to 21 Cancer death variable census tracts Cfs or censitarian sectors CSs which are territorial The main outcome that was studied was the number of deaths by units defined by IBGE IBGE 2000 to orient the spatial distribution of neoplasia of Belo Horizonte municipality residents that occurred from a population The definition of a CT is related to a specific 1996 to 2006 were reported to the City Health Department and were geographical zone whose population can be counted by local routinely confirmed by established criteria under the responsibility of
Table 1 International classification of diseases ICD10
Disease ICD10 According to WHO ICD10 homepage Bibliographical references
Primary Secondary
Primary Malignant melanoma of skin Other C43 and C44 C792 Eger et aL 2004 malignant neoplasms of skinSecondary malignant neoplasm of skin Primary Malignant neoplasm of C50 C798 Eger et al 2004 Wolf and Wolf 2004 Bioinitiative breastSecondary malignant Report 2007 Cuenel et al 1996 Feychting et aL neoplasm of other specified sites 1997 Wakeford 2004 Mack et al 1991 Beall et al 1996 Beniashvili et aL 2005 Hardell and Sage 2007 Primary and secondary Malignant neoplasm C80 C80 Khurana 2008 Hardell et al 2007 Bioinitiative without specification of site Report 2007 Mack et al 1991 Beall et al 1996 Guenel et al 1996 Wakeford 2004 Primary Malignant neoplasm of ovarySecondary C56 C796 Eger et al 2004 Wolf and Wolf 2004 malignant neoplasm of ovary Primary Hodgkins DiseaseSecondary and unspecified C81 C77 Wolf and Wolf 2004 malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes Primary Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and 04 C780 Eger et aL 2004 Wolf and Wolf 2004 lungSecondary malignant neoplasm of lung Primary Malignant neoplasm of kidney except renal C64 C790 Wolf and Wolf 2004 pelvisSecondary malignant neoplasm of other sites Primary Malignant neoplasm of prostateSecondary C61 C798 Eger et aL 2004 malignant neoplasm of other specified sites Primary Malignant neoplasm of pancreas Pancreas C25 and 059 C788 Eger et aL 2004 unspecifiedSecondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified digestive organs Primary Malignant neoplasm of other and ill defined 060 C17 C18 C19 C784 085 Eger et aL 2004 digestive organs Intestinal tract part unspecified Malignant neoplasm of small intestine Malignant neoplasm of colon Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junctionSecondary malignant neoplasm of small intestine Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum Primary Malignant melanoma of skin Melanoma C43 and D03 C792 Eger et aL 2004 Hallberg 2004 Johanson 2006 in situSecondary malignant neoplasm of skin Primary Malignant melanoma of skinSecondary C43 C792 Stang 2001 malignant neoplasm of skin Primary Malignant neoplasm of kidney except renal C64 and C65 090 Eger et al 2004 pelvis Malignant neoplasm of renal pelvisSecondary malignant neoplasm of kidney and renal pelvis Primary Malignant neoplasm of stomachSecondary C16 088 Eger et al 2004 malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified digestive organs Primary Malignant neoplasm of bladderSecondary C67 C791 Eger et aL 2004 malignant neoplasm of bladder and other and unspecified urinary organs Primary Multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell C90 C91 C92 C93 Eger et al 2004 neoplasms Lymphoid leukemia Myeloid leukaemia C94 C95 and C96 Monocytic leukemia Other leukemias of specified cell type Leukemia of unspecified cell type Other and unspecified malignant neoplasms of lymphoid haematopoietic and related tissue Primary Hodgkins disease Follicular nodular C81 C82 C83 C84 and 05 C77 Hardell et al 2007 non Hodgkins lymphoma Diffuse non Hodgkins lymphoma Peripheral and cutaneous Tcell lymphomas Other and unspecified types ofnon Hodgkins lymphomaSecondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes Primary Malignant neoplasm of brainSecondary 01 C793 Khurana 2008 Hardell et al 2007 malignant neoplasm of brain and cerebral meninges Schoemaker et al 2005 AC Dode et a1 Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3655 the epidemiology officers of the city accredited by federal and local license of the given BS To detect case conglomerates in space the health authorities BRAZIL 2011 total amount 2563 of CTs and the corresponding nine DSs of the city All deaths by neoplasia based on death certificates were provided were used again Software was developed to calculate the shortest Then they were reselected according to a subset of the International distance between the death and the antenna and to estimate the time Classification of Diseases ICD previously organized and extracted of exposure of the deaths to the radiation of the antennas from a careful review of the scientific literature linking cancer and nonionizing radiation as can be seen in Table 1 electromagnetic 24 Death rates Out of 22493 deaths that occurred in the analyzed period 1996 to The mortality by neoplasia rates per Cr were determined from the 2006 7191 were initially eligible for the study The selected death by neoplasia diagnoses in compliance with the ICD 10 during the period neoplasia cases were grouped according to the CT of the residences of the study using the Cr as defined by IBGE for the 2000 national based on the residents postal address The data bank of SIM did not census as the spatial analysis unit The deaths in every CT were used as possess the address of the persons who died by neoplasia in 1998 So the numerator The temporal unit was the calendar year The death about 780 deaths that occurred in that year could not be georefer data were then georeferenced to the address of the subjects and the enced To identify the CT the cartographic map was used within the IBGE census data IBGE 2000 for each CT The estimated population borders delimited by IBGE IBGE 2000 5 shows the of Fig fluxogram at risk was used as the denominator deaths by neoplasia in the period from 1996 to 2006 The accumulated incidence in the Belo Horizonte municipality was The death cases were further analyzed according to age gender calculated by dividing the total amount of deaths in each region by site of residence and year of occurrence and the death rates were regions entire population determined as described below After aggregation of the deaths and BS exposure explained below in the CT differing numbers of deaths 25 Estimates the rates to distance and duration were determined depending on whether the date of first exposure of mortality according of to the radiation the BSs was taken to be the date of the first license of the BS 7191 deaths or exposure of To understand the the date of the register of the BS 8082 deaths We opted to work spatiotemporal exposure to the radiation of the BSs the duration of to each death was with the date of first license an option that makes our analysis even possible exposure corresponding more conservative estimated using a proxy to the subjects residential addresses in terms of the duration of his or her exposure to the first installed transmitter antenna of the mobile 2 Base stations phone network To estimate the number of days of exposure the elapsed time period from the date of installation of the The BS database and their respective geographical locations were first antenna to the date of the death was calculated in of the obtained from the ANATEL database site llttp wwwanatelgovbi spitep to the radiation of other antennas that have been and were further geoprocessed according to their CT in two distinct exposure might installed afterward Some have been to years 2003 and 2006 In 2003 there were approximately 474 BSs and subjects may exposed many antennas at different times but in this we considered the in 2006 there were approximately 856 in the city Clusters the so study only date of installation of the first antenna The delimitation of the distance called hotspots were the identified in each SD This explanatory intervals of the BSs was then performed Each interval with a radius of analysis was carried out through thematic maps using the software 100 m had a BS as its from which the distance was increased to MAPiNFOT version 70 and the Kernel estimator center 1000 m For each 100meter interval the deaths that occurred within the elapsed period of time as well as the estimated population living 23 Data processing and mapping of the BSs and deaths in the Belo within that radius was then observed To obtain the at Horizonte municipality population risk the estimates of all of the CTs were considered even those which were Eligible deaths by neoplasia were then plotted inside circles with only partially included within those radii Therefore the population at radii varying from 100 m to 1000 m centered at the location of the risk was conservatively overestimated first transmitter antenna of the mobile phone network to which the To estimate the mortality rate within each radius the number of resident was possibly exposed This selection took into account the deaths was divided by the estimated population included in the radius date of the death and either the date of registration or of the first of each 0 For example for the 100meter radius the 3569 deaths were divided by the 821890 estimated exposed subjects living inside that radius For the rates between 200 m and 1000 m both the number of deaths and the included population were cumulatively Period 1996 to 2006 considered This was necessary because the subjects included in the 100meter radius must be considered to perform the calculation inside the 200 meter radius Fig 6 Table 5 Total amount of deaths by neoplasia 22493 23 Environmental monitoring of the electromagnetic field EMF
In 2008 one began monitoring the environmental EMF in the CT I with the largest concentration of antennas in the Belo Horizonte municipality The survey used an electric field meter and Total amount of deaths select according isotropic to literature revision 12094 probe with a frequency range of 02 MHz to 30 GHz a spectrum analyzer with a frequency range of 100 MHz to 60 GHz a datalogging multimeter a GPS unit and a laptop For the field measurements the following guidelines were observed IEEE 1999 1992 NCRP 1993 ANATEL Annex to Resolution no 303 ANATEL 2000a 2000b and the of two Deaths environmental field survey particular nearby BSs carried out with positive exposure Deaths with positive exposure by Dode The from register date 8082 from first license 7191 Dode 2003 analyzed frequencies of the BSs were corresponded to the bands A B C and D During the measurements stronger electric field intensities were usually found when the probe was Fig 5 Fluxogram of deaths by neoplasia in the period from 1996 to 2006 far from the ground Approximately 400 points in the CentralSouthern 3656 AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
7044
7000
6989 1000
000m 6947
800 m
6869 700m
6724 soo m
6432 500r
5950 400 m
300 m 4977
200m
s
Within 100 meters 3569 deaths
Within 200 meters 3569 1408 deaths 4977 deaths
Within 300 meters 4977 973 deaths 5950 deaths
Within 400 meters 5950 482 deaths 6432 deaths
Within 500 meters 6432 292 deaths 6724 deaths and so on within 1000 meters
Beyond 1000 meters 147 deaths
Total amount of 7191 deaths
m the transmitter in the Belo Fig 6 Total amount of deaths by neoplasia per 100meter distance band in census tracts inside a radius of up to 1000 from mobile phone antennas Horizonte municipality from 1996 to 2006 Total 7044 deaths region of the municipality which were located in squares parks schools deaths location can be seen in Table 2 The Central Southern SD and households nearby BSs were considered in the survey contained the greatest absolute number of deaths followed by the Northwestern and Eastern SDs 24 Ethical committees 32 Base station Because this study includes data on human beings it was approved by the ethical committees of the Institutional Review Boards of the All registered BSs that were georeferenced through 2006 are plotted Federal University of Minas Gerais and the Belo Horizonte City Health in Fig 8 The percentage of BSs installed through December 2003 was Department with the purpose of accomplishing the Resolution the greatest in the Central Southem region comprising 3860 182 out 1961996 of the Brazilian Health Ministry of 474 until December 2006 the percentage was approximately 3960 338 out of 856 The BS percentage by region in the Belo 3 Results Horizonte municipality in 2003 and 2006 can be seen in Fig 9
31 Total deaths by neoplasia selected in the period from 1996 to 2006 3 Data processing and mapping of the base stations and deaths in the Belo Horizonte municipality Fig 7 shows the geographic location of the cases of deaths by neoplasia that were confirmed in the literature and selected according Fig 10 portrays a sample of the georeferencing of the BSs and to Table 1 totaling 7191 deaths The detailed geographic description of the deaths by neoplasia in downtown Belo Horizonte City located AC Dade et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3657
Table 2 Description of the death coding and geographic location
Deaths Regions or sanitary districts codification Barreiro Central Southern Eastern Northeastern Northwestern Northern Western Pampulha Venda Nova Total C16 83 143 132 124 183 75 125 57 89 1011 C17 2 3 4 1 3 2 4 4 0 23 08 1 2 2 2 1 1 3 0 1 13 C19 4 8 13 9 16 2 7 1 5 65 05 30 155 88 74 137 23 77 42 39 665 1 06 4 27 17 12 17 19 23 14 14 147 04 88 300 194 140 233 89 187 75 99 1405 C43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 00 43 210 145 68 177 23 94 35 34 829 C61 42 174 131 84 186 51 122 56 58 904 C64 17 40 28 19 28 16 20 10 11 189 C65 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 6 C67 18 51 42 28 40 10 30 21 12 252 C71 37 105 54 37 94 23 63 30 28 471 C80 36 86 71 55 83 36 61 21 34 483 C81 5 19 8 4 9 3 9 3 5 65 C83 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 C84 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 C90 11 40 39 21 41 14 33 13 16 228 C91 4 11 6 10 12 3 15 7 7 75 C92 19 62 34 24 43 13 34 14 16 259 C93 0 1 0 0 I 0 0 0 1 3 C94 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 C95 7 17 10 4 18 7 12 4 12 91 Total 451 1459 1018 717 1323 410 921 407 485 7191
in Central Southern region A given BS can have three six nine 34 Death rate twelve or more antennas depending on the requirements in the region The percentage of deaths by neoplasia per year in the Belo To detect clusters of cases in the nine SDs in space the Belo Horizonte municipality from 1996 to 2006 considering the start of Horizonte and their 2563 CTs were as used units of analysis In Fig 11 exposure to be the date of the first license is shown in Fig 12 The there are CTs with 12 13 14 and even 18 deaths accumulated incidence rate per 1000 residents for each SD is shown in Table 4 Again the CentralSouthern SD presented the highest Table 3 accumulated incidence rate ie 583 incidents per 1000 inhabitants Percentage of deaths by age and gender in Belo Horizonte municipality and the lowest rate was 205 incidents per 1000 inhabitants in the Barreiro SD Age Male Female Deaths total Percentage The same trend was observed for both women and men with 00 04 10 16 26 036 similar profiles during the studied years As the incidence of 05 09 13 10 23 032 expected death of women and men was in those older than and in 1519 12 8 29 026 higher 40 this 1519 11 8 19 026 groupg P the number of deaths was 3923 for men and 3268 for 20 29 34 34 68 095 women After the age of 40 the death rate 791 grew for both 3039 80 120 200 278 sexes as shown in Table 3 After the age of 60 the rate was even 4049 247 322 569 797 higher 2233 5059 535 sss 1094 1521 1 shows rate 6069 920 686 1606 2233 Supplementary Graphics the of death by neoplasia 7079 1217 797 2014 2800 according to lCD classification The most significant causes were 8089 708 550 1258 1749 malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung C34 1955 malignant 9099 136 158 294 408 neoplasm of stomach C16 1405 malignant neoplasm of prostrate TOTAL 3923 3268 7191
Table 5 Mortality rates by neoplasia in the Belo Horizonte municipality according to distance Table 4 from the BS Accumulated incidence rate of all deaths in the Belo Horizonte municipality Distance Deaths Population Mortality rate Relative or Regions sanitary Population Death number Accumulated incidence meters total total 10000 risk districts rate1000 Until 100 3569 821890 4342 135 CentroSul 1459 583 249862 Until 200 4977 1237368 4022 125 Leste 1018 405 251118 Until300 5950 1602869 3712 115 Noroeste 1323 338753 390 Until400 6432 1796604 3580 111 407 Pampulha 106330 382 Until 500 6724 1934032 3476 108 Oeste 921 369 249059 Until 600 6869 2030093 3383 105 Nordeste 717 248406 288 Until 700 6947 2055325 3380 105 Norte 410 153821 266 Until 800 6989 2086712 3349 104 Venda Nova 198475 485 244 Until 900 7000 2107277 3321 103 Barreiro 451 205 219873 Until 1000 7044 2148327 3278 100 TOTAL 7191 2015697 Null hypothesis 7191 2238332 3212 100 3658 AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
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Fig 7 Map of the total deaths by neoplasia in the Belo Horizonte municipality from 1996 to 2006 classified according to I D Total 7191 deaths
C61 1257 and malignant neoplasm of breast C50 1153 The deaths was 3569 a percentage of 4963 and the mortality rate was largest absolute number of deaths was found in the CentralSouthern 4342 persons per 10000 inhabitants Compared to with the total region followed by the Northwestern region Also the highest population mortality rate the relative risk in this area was 135 In the absolute numbers of lung cancer deaths 300 cases and breast cancer area up to 200 m there was a growth of 1408 deaths a total of 4977 deaths 210 cases were found in Central Southern SD Table 2 The deaths a mortality rate of 4022 persons per 10000 inhabitants and a proportional mortality by gender can be seen in Figs 13 and 14 relative risk of 125 Table 5 In this way the estimates of mortality by neoplasia were calculated inside radii up to 1000 m from the BSs The 35 Estimates of the mortality rates by distance and time ofexposure to BS relative risks presented a decreased dose response gradient with residents distance from the first licensed BSs The mortality rates were estimated by correcting the population Fig 15 shows the mortality rate by neoplasia according to the mortality by 10000 according to the radius of distance from the BS distance from the BS in the Belo Horizonte municipality during the within 1000 m In the region within 100 m the absolute number of studied period The accumulated mortality rates by neoplasia I
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Fig 8 Installed BSs in the Belo Horizonte municipality until 2006 Total amount 856
determined by dividing the total number of deaths during the period 400 points were measured in the CentralSouthern region in 2008 n 7191 by the total population living in the municipality where a major concentration of cellular telephony antennas was found 2238332 showed that there was a risk of dying of 3212 per 10000 The mean intensity of the measured electric field was 732 Vm varying 1 inhabitants as seen in Fig15In this study this figure represents the null from 04 to 124 Vm It was common to find a stronger electric field at hypothesis ie the total number of deaths occurring in the period locations above the ground The BS frequency bands ranged from divided by the population independent of the proximity to the BSs approximately 800 MHz to 1800 MHz In 2003 the power density Fig 16 shows the distribution of the number of deaths by neoplasia varied from 0898 tWcm to 3066 Wcm versus duration of exposure since the date of operation of the first antenna in each analyzed CT 4 Discussion
36 Environmental monitoring of the electromagnetic field Electric and EMFs interact with biological systems because they penetrate into organs and tissues and the biological systems are ruled by The EMF results provided essential information for the assessment of delicate bioelectrochemical reactions that sustain the vital processes and risks to the health of the exposed persons in the community A total of receive the influence from those fields As demonstrated in the literature 3660 AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
Pampulha 991 1121 Western 012 Center 3960 Southern 13860 1111086 Northwestern 11202 537 Barreiro 2006 421
Northeastern 2003 29991
Venda Nova aos 274
Eastern 87991
Northern 385 253
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Percentage of installed Base Stations
Fig 9 BS percentage by Sanitary Districts in the Belo Horizonte municipality in 2003 and in 2006
Kundi and Hurter 2009 Sage and Carpenter 2009 Khurana 2008 In addition only the deaths of those who were exposed since the BIOINITIATIVE REPORT 2007 Cherry 2006 Cherry 2007 Harden and first license date of the BS were included in the study even though Sage 2007 exposure to electromagnetic radiation of low intensities for there were antennas that were installed in the register date before long periods of time is a determinant for the aggravation and the the licensing date emergence of diseases in humans Studies point to observations of Also we observed that the CentralSouthern SD possessed the environmental carcinogens as an alert to the scientific community greatest antenna concentration in the city and the most electromagnetic Hardell et al 2007 Bioeffects and adverse health effects occur at contaminationThis region contained 3860 ofthe installed antennas in frequencies much lower than RF and extremely low frequencies ELF 2003 and 3960 in 2006 Again through georeferencing we observed a without any heating effect greater concentration of specific cases of death by neoplasia in the Khurana et al 2010 identified by searching PubMed ten epidemi region The accumulated incidence rate per 1000 residents was the ological studies that indicate the occurrence of neurobehavioral effects or largest in CentralSouthern SD reaching 583 this rate was the lowest cancer In eight of those studies the population lived within 500 m of a BS 205 in Barreiro region However all exposures were under the accepted intemational guidelines In the CentralSouthern SD there are no factories it is a strictly Therefore it is suggested that those guidelines may be inadequate in residential area with some services and commerce No power lines protecting the health of human populations Additionally more compre highways airports or railroads exist in the area However many private hensive epidemiological studies are necessary to evaluate longterm vehicles come and go in the region and its inhabitants possess higher exposure to RF from mobile phones BSs to understand its health impact social status and affluence It contains many wooded streets and This research bases on the ecological study that uses geographical gardens The Central Southern SD has other aggravating exposures areas as units of preexisting data to identify areas of risk The data is including noise gases fumes aerodispersoids and hydrocarbonates already aggregated and one does not know about the genetic each of which also damage human health Despite the presence of characteristics life habits food choices and other factors of each diverse and a ressive potential agents that may have influenced the individual The ecological studies frequently begin the epidemiological quality of life and the health of the dwellers living in the area the process and the discoveries are considered to be an alert mortality rates remained concentrated near the antennas with a dose In the Belo Horizonte municipality the mortality rate was response gradient and were not diffuse all over the city concentrated near the antennas and was not diffuse over the whole Age and sex did not appear to be a confounder in this study In Belo city At a distance of up to 100 m the absolute number of deaths was Horizonte municipality like all of Brazil the population suffers from a 3569 4963 of all deaths the mortality rate was 4342 persons per demographic transition characterized by the aging of the population 10000 and the relative risk was 135 When one does not consider the and this is a possible confounder for all chronic degenerative diseases distances from the BSs for all the entire population of the Belo Horizonte Looking at the profile of the proportional mortality by age and gender municipality 2238332 inhabitants the mortality rate was 3212 per throughout the 10 years studied there is no specific trend for either 10000 inhabitants which is the null hypothesis men or women and the highest percentage started at age 40 and In this research we found a mortality rate for the residents living increased to age 60 Irrespective of the year the proportional within 500 m of the transmitter antennas of a BS greater than 3476 mortality by gender and age remained stable during the period per 10000 inhabitants This rate decreased for residents living farther suggesting there is no relevant change in the proportion of deaths by from the BS as shown in Fig 15 cancer when age is taken into consideration We concluded that the relative risk of death by neoplasia according to According to the ICNIRP guidelines the human levels to the public the distance from a BS in the Belo Horizonte municipality from 1996 to at large ICNIRP 1998 for the frequency f band ranged from 400 to 2006 was greater within a radius of up to 500 m from the BSs Table 5 In 2000 MHz the electric field intensity E Vm 1 equals 1375 f Vm the town of Netanya Israel in 2004 the authors also found an increase of which equals 1375 Jf Vm 415 times in the cancer incidence of the residents of a zone up to 350 m These values are according to the reference level patterns for the public from the BS compared to those who lived outside that area Wolf and at large when compared with the current Brazilian federal taw which Wolf 2004 A retrospective study in Naila Germany showed that the risk establishes the following limits for a 900 MHz field intensity an electric of new cancer cases was three times greater among the patients who had field of4125 Vm and a power density of45134 Wcm for a 1800 MHz lived at a distance less than 400 m from a cellular telephone transmitter field intensity an electric field of 5833 Vm and a power density of antenna during the last ten years 1994 and 2004 compared to those 90249tWcm These human exposure limits are exclusively based on who lived at greater distances Eger et al 2004 thermal effects AC Dode et aL Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3661
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In 2003 the largest electric field found during environmen antennas in the 890 to 1800 MHz frequency band These values tal monitoring of the BSs was 34 Vm and the greatest power were much larger than those reported in the Netanya study density was 306 gWcm In 2008 the largest electric field found approximately 053 Wcm The smallest values found in the during environmental monitoring of the BSs was 124 Vm and measurements were a field intensity of 04 Vm and a power the greatest power density was 4078 Wcm near the cellular density of 004 WcmZ AC Dode et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3663
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Fig 12 Percentage of neoplasia deaths per year in the Belo Horizonte municipality from 1996 to 2006 using the first license date
technology The adoption of EMF and radiation levels similar to the for females Proportional mortality by year more restrictive exposure limits of many other countries and towns 8000 would be one important public health provision On this matter we 6000 refer to the Porto Alegre Resolution 4000 The Precautionary Principle states that when there are signs of adverse effects to health or to the 2000 111 111 111 possible environment although 11 r r r uncertain the risks of inaction can be greater than the risks of acting 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 especially in relation to the control of human exposures to non ionizing radiation The Precautionary Principle reverses the burden of 0 to 29 30 to 59 1 Over 60 years old proof from those who suspect a risk on those who take the actions and affirm that only when new scientific discoveries will be recognized as 13 for females Fig Proportional mortality by year the unique criterion to establish or to change guidelines The principle asserts that precaution be maintained until new proven researches be The major advantage of this ecological study is that it is the first done epidemiological approach to determine the existence of a possible From May 18th to 19th 2009 in Porto Alegre City Rio Grande do association between a determined exposure and a health outcome Sul State Brazil occurred The International NIR NonIonizing using the group characteristics Radiation and Health Workshop Seminario Internacional sobre The principal limitations of the present study concern the study RNI a Saude e o Ambiente sponsored by the Federal University of design and the use of secondary data By design the group results could Rio Grande do Sul The purpose of the workshop was to present not be extrapolated to each person in the population Although the data lectures as a basis to initiate discussions among Brazilian and foreign were well standardized and collected from official personnel in the City scientists and public health authorities on the potential biological and Health Department they are subject to misclassification due to lack of health consequences and the setting of exposure limits of non information and errors in the entering of data and diagnosis Finally ionizing electromagnetic fieldsradiation NIR neither the life habits nor the genetic factors of the residents could be The workshop also was under the sponsorship of the Brazilian taken into account Ministry of Health as well as some other governmental and non Despite these limitations the present study has brought important contributions to the issue the most important of which is the existence of a cluster of deaths by neoplasia associated with BS clusters Although the direction of this relationship could not be 50 specified this work has demonstrated the existence of such clusters c Until more extensive studies are conducted we urge the adoption of 45 the Precautionary Principle and a revision of national policies toward a stronger restrictions of the human limits associated with this A To 40
Proportional mortality by year for males 35 8000 c d
6000 CC 30 until until until until 4000 Ir It 11 Ir 100 200 300 4 500 600 700 800 900 000 Distance from BS 2000 II Rate of mortality by neoplasia according to the distance from BS
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Null hypothesis 0 to 29 30 to 59 Over 60 years old
Fig 15 Rate of mortality by neoplasia according to the distance from the BS in Belo Fig 14 Proportional mortality by year for males Horizonte municipality from 1996 to 2006 and the null hypothesis 3664 AC Dade et al Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665
1929 Number of 2000 1800 deaths by 1600 1324 neoplasia 1400 1107 1200 985 1000 781 800
462 600 328 259 400 12 4 200
0 itr I1 1 2 2 4 7 0 3 34 5 56 67 8 89 910 Years
Fig 16 Distribution of the number of deaths by neoplasia versus duration of exposure since the date that the first antenna in each analyzed CT came into operation
governmental organizations International researchers from several Acknowledgements countries delivered talks on selected subjects Researchers public health authorities as well as authorities from We would like to thank Marcia Salvador Geo Medical Doctor the legislative executive and judiciary governmental bodies from Helvecio Miranda Magalhaes Junior Medical Doctor Luciano Assirio Brazil and other South American countries were also present Bassi Telecommunications Engineer Graziella Lage Oliveira Psycholo gist Livia Daniella Pereira Dode Production Engineer and Aline Dayrrel Site wwwufrgsbrppgeernihtm Ferreira Sales Epidemiologist for their kind and ever present support
After the event the Porto Alegre Resolution was approved by the References scientists from many countries and participants who have understood that the health protection the wellbeing and the environment Al T Hietanen M von Nadelstadh P Occupational exposure to RF fields from base require the immediate adoption of the and Precautionary Principle station antennas on rooftops Annals of telecommunications From the issue entitled some precautionary practices Health protection and RF exposure assessment engineering aspects 63 2008 p 12531 Numbers 1 1 DOI 01007s12243 007 0001 6 ANATEL online Available from wwwanatelgovbr 21st April 2011 Site does resolutions http wwwicemseu PorfoJtlegreResolution ANATEL Agenda Nacional de Tetecomunica4ao Telecommunications National pdf Agency Resolurao no 303 de 2 de julho de 2002 Aprova o Regulamento sobre Exposipo a Campos Eletricos Magneticos e Eletromagneticos na Faixa de Radio fregtiencias entre 9 kHz e 300 GHz Resolution n 303 July 2nd 2002 Approves the Regulation on Exposure to Electric Magnetic and Electromagnetic fields in the S Conclusion Radiofrequencies Band from 9 kHz to 300 GHz 2000a online Available from wwwanatelgovbr This research showed the existence of a spatial correlation ANATEL Agenda Nacional de Telecornunicacoes Telecommunications National Agency Anexo a Resolupo na 303 de 2 de julho de 2002 Regulamento sabre between cases of death by neoplasia and the locations of the BSs in Lim ta4ao da Exposieao a Campos Eletricos Magnetiws a Eletromagneticos na Faixa de the Belo Horizonte municipality from 1996 to 2006 Radiofregiiendas entre 9 kHz e 300 GHz Annex to Resolution re 303 July 2nd 2002 on The mortality rates and the relative risk were higher for the Regulation Exposure to Electric Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields in the Radiofrequencies Band from 9 kHz to 300 CHz 2000b online Available from residents inside a radius of 500 m from the BS to the compared wwwanatelgovbr rate of the entire a average mortality city and decreased dose Beall C Delzell E Cole P Brill L Brain tumors among electronics industry workers response gradient was observed for residents who lived farther away Epidemiology 19967125 30 Beniashvili0 Avinoach 1 BaazovD ZusmanLHouseholdelectromagneticfieldsandbreast from the BS The major antenna concentration was located in the cancer in elderly women MayJunln Vivo 20051935636 2005 online Central Southern SD of the which also had city the largest Available fromhttpwww ncbinlmningovpubmed15875777May2nd2008 accumulated incidence 5831000 inhabitants BIOINITIATIVE REPORT A rationale for a biologicallybased public exposure standard for fields and 2007 Available from The measured values of the EMF determined in 2008 and 2003 electromagnetic ELF RF online http in 2010 were below the values allowed the Brazilian federal substantially byY BRAZILwwMinistry of Health online Available from wwwsaudegovbr 2011 law nr 11934 May 5 2009 Nevertheless the values encountered in Cherry N Scientific evidence of the risk ofadverse health effects from chronic exposure to lowlevel radiation EMRAA Radiation Alliance of this study surpassed the limits of human exposure adopted by many electromagnetic Electromagnetic Australia Email a 1999 other countries and cities in the world including Italy 10 Wcm Cherry N Health effects associated with mobile base stations in communities the need China 6 pWcm Switzerland 42 Wcm Paris France 1 tW for health studies New Zealand Lincoln University Environmental Management cm Salzburg Austria 01 pWcm and Porto Alegre Brazil and Design Division 8 June 2000 2007 online Available on Dec 2006 Sep Dode Adilza Condessa Polui 3o ambiental e expositao human a campos eletromagn6 42 Wcm2 ticos estudo de casos no municipio de Belo Horizonte com enfase nas estatoes New epidemiological studies must explore this issue with more radiobase de telefonia celular Environmental pollution and human exposure to fields a case in Belo Horizonte timely and appropriate methodology to provide evidence that may electromagnetic study municipality emphasizing mobile phone base stations Dissertaiao MestradoemSaneamentoMeioAmbiente confirm the between risk and hazard at an individual relationship e Recursas Hidricos Escola de Engenharia Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais level Meanwhile we strongly suggest the adoption of the Precau Belo Horizonte Thesis Master Degree in Sanitation Environment and Hydric tionary Principle until the limits of human exposure as established in Resources Engineering School Federal University of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte city Brazil p175 2003 Brazilian Federal Law can be reevaluated Eger H Jahn M Specific health symptoms and cell phone radiation in Selbitz Bavaria materials related to this article can be found online Supplementary Germany evidence of a dose response relationship Umwelt MedizinGesellschaft at doi10 1016 jscitotenv201105051 2010232 AC Dode et at Science of the Total Environment 409 2011 36493665 3665
Eger H Hagen Ku Lucas B Vogel P Voit H Einfluss der raumlichen Nahe von Khurana VG Mobile phones and brain tumours 2008 G Khurana All Rights Mobilfunksendeanlagen auf die Krebsinzidenz Umwelt MedizinGesellschaft Reserved online Available from wwwbrainsurgeryus Apr 2008 2004174 Khurana VG Hardell L Everaert J Bortkiewicz A Carlberg M Ahonen M Epidemiological Feychting M Forssen U Floderus B Occupational and residential magnetic field evidence for a health risk from mobile phone base stations Int J Occup Environ Health exposure and leukemia and central nervous system tumors Epidemiology 19978 201016 no 3 JulSep 3849 Kundi M Rutter HP Mobile phone base stations Effects on wellbeing and health Gadzicka E Bortkiewics A Zmyslony M Szymczak W Szyjkowska A Assessment of Pathophysiology 2009 PATPHY597 doi101016 jpathophys200901008 subjective complaints reported by people living near mobile phone base stations Elsevier Ireland Ltd 13 pp Accepted 30 January 2009 Abstract Biuletyn PTZE Warszawa 200614236 Lai H Biological effects of radiofrequency radiation from wireless transmission towers GORDIS L Epidemiologia Translation from English Epidemiology 2 ed Rio de a presentation at the Cell Tower Forum State of the ScienceState of the Law Janeiro Revinter 2004 302p sponsored by the BerkeshireLichtfield Environmental Council on December 2 Guenel P Nicolau J Imbernon E Chevalier A Goldberg M Exposure to 50Hz electric 2000 in Lakeville CT USA online Available from httpwwwindymediaie field and incidence of leukemia brain tumors and other cancers among French attachmentsju12007 henrylaibioeffectsfromtowerslpdf Apr 2011 Apr 2008 electric utility workers Am J Epidemiol 1996 144 1107 21 Mack W PrestonMartin S Peters JM Astrocytoma risk related to job exposure to Hallberg J0 Malignant melanoma ofthe skin not a sunshine story Med Sci Monit Jul electric and magnetic fields Bioelectromagnetics 199112 57e66 2004107CR33640 Electronic publication ahead of print 2004 Jun 29 NATIONAL COUNCIL ON RADIATION PROTECTION AND MEASUREMENTS NCRP Hardell I Sage C Biological effects from electromagnetic field exposure and public Report n 119 A practical guide to the determination of human exposure to exposure standards 2007 doi 101016jbiopha200712004 online Available radiofrequency fields Maryland USA Bethesda 1993 ISBN 0929600355 from wwwsciencedirectcom Dec Navarro EA Segura j Portoles M Gomez Perretta C The microwave syndrome a Hardell L Carlberg M Ohlson CG Westberg H Eriksson M Hansson Mildt K Use of preliminary study in Spain Electromagn Biol Med 2003Vo122N 283161 9 USA cellular and cordless telephones and risk of testicular cancer Int J Androl 200730 Sage C Carpenter DO Public health implications ofwireless technologies PATPHY603 11522 Pathophysiology 2009 doi 101016jpathophys200901011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd 14 IBGE Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica Brazilian Institute of Geography pp Accepted 30 January 2009 and Statistics Censo Demografico Demographic Census 2000onhine Available Santini R Santini P Danze JM Le Ruz P Seigne M Enquete sur la sante de riverains de from wwwibgegovbrcenso Apr 2008 stations relais de telephone mobile IIncidences de la distance et du sexe Pathol IBGE Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica Brazilian Institute of Geography Biol Paris 20025036973 and Statistics Censo Demografico Demographic Census 2010 online Santini R Santini P Danze JM Le Ruz P Seigne M Enquete sur Is sante de riverains de Available from wwwibgegovbrcenso May 2011 stations relais de telephonic mobile IIIncidences de Page des sujets de la duree de ICNIRP International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection Guidelines leur exposition et de leur position par rapport aux antennes et autres sources for limiting exposure to time varying electric magnetic and electromagnetic fields electromagnetiques PatholBioL Paris 2003514125 up to 300 GHz Health Phys 199874494522 April 1998 Schoemaker MJ Swerdlow AJ Ahlbom A et aL Mobile phone use and risk of acoustic IEEE Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers Inc IEEE IEEE recommended practice neuroma results of the interphone case control study in five North European for the measurement of potentially hazardous electromagnetic fields RF and countries Br J Cancer 200593842 8 microwave IEEE C953 1991Revision ofANSI C9531973 and ANSI C 955 1981 Stang A Federal Ministry for Education and Research of Germany The possible role of New York USA 1992 radiofrequency radiation in the development ofuveal melanoma Epidemiology 2001 IEEE Institute ofElectrical Electronics Engineers Inc IEEE standard for safety levels with voL 12n1 712 respect to human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields 3 kHz to UN Population Crisis Committee of the United Nations 2007 300 GHz IEEE C9511999 Edition Incorporating IEEE Std C951 1991 and IEEE Std UNDP United Nations Development Programme In Amaral E Thesis of Postgraduate C951 a New 1998 York USA 1999 degree in management and assessment ofsocial projects in urban areas Sociology and Johanson 0 Electrohypersensitivity stateoftheart of a functional impairment Anthropology Department Human Silences and Philosophy Federal University of Electromagn Biol Med 20062524558 Minas Gerais UFMG 2008 KATHEREIN MOBILCOM BRASIL LTDA HUEMER E LENSIG IO Cilia pratico de antenas Wakeford R The cancer epidemiology of radiation Oncogene 2004 23 6404e28 Practical guide of antennas Dinamica Grafica e Editora Ltda 2 Edicao Sao Paulo WolfR Wolf D Increased incidence of cancer near a cell phone transmitter station Int J 52p 1999 Cancer Prevention April 200412 T ENT 4 U N I V E R S I T Y Dr Magda Havas BSc PhD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE STUDIES PROGRAM 1600 West Bank Drive Peterborough ON Canada K9J 7B8 Telephone 705 7481011 x 7882 Facsimile 705 7481569 Email mhavas @trentuca wwwmagdahavascom general wwwmagdahavasorg academic
May 2 2012
Re Open Letter to Parents Teachers School Boards Regarding WiFi Networks in Schools
This is an update of an open letter I wrote May 5 2009 the original letter follows the updated information
Much has happened during the past 3 years regarding our understanding of the health effects associated with microwave radiation
New Developments Regarding Radio Frequency Radiation and Health since 2009
1 On May 31 2011 the World Health Organization classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as a possible human carcinogen Although this does not sound harmful as it is just possible and not probable it is never theless a warning that we may be playing with fire by exposing students and their teachers some of whom may be pregnant to microwave radiation generated by WiFi routers in the classroom Health authorities like Health Canada have tried to downplay this new classification and wrongly assumed that it applied only to cell phones It applies to ALL forms of radio frequency radiation as stated by Dr Jonathan Samet University of California in this short video http wwwyoutubecomwatch vs4E2i5XFX9M See also http www magdahavas comiarcdeclaresrf from ce l lphones andcelltowers dangerous
Radio frequency is generated by Wi Fi routers cell phones mobile phones wireless baby monitors wireless games and toys that are remote controlled smart meters some home security systems and antennas that support cell phone broadcast radio and television as well as radar
2 Also in May 2011 The Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe PACE released Resolution 1815 on the Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields and their Effect on the Environment Here is the link to the Resolution http assemblycoeintMainf asp link DocumentsAdoptedTextta 11 ERES 1815htm
This is what they had to say about WiFi in schools
WiFi uses microwave radiation also referred as radio frequency radiation at two different frequencies 24 and 58 GHz The 24 GHz is similar to that used in a microwave oven
page 14 832 for children in general andparticularly in schools and classrooms give preference to wired Internet connections and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren on school premises
3 A subcommittee of the WHO held a meeting in Geneva on May 13 2011 to discuss multiple chemical sensitivity and electrohypersensitivity EHS and placing these two illnesses on the WHOs International Classification of Diseases ICD
Electrohypersensitivity refers to an adverse physiological reaction experienced by some individuals when they are exposed to electromagnetic fields andor radiation Symptoms include chronic pain chronic fatigue difficulty sleeping cognitive dysfunction mood disorders dizziness nausea tinnitus skin disorders etc EHS is not yet officially recognized in Canada although physicians and some medical centres are diagnosing and treating patients with this illness
4 The International Electromagnetic Field Alliance IEMFA consisting of an international group of scientistsreleased the Seletun Statement Norway 2010 which states the following
The Scientific Panel recognizes that the body of evidence on EMF requires a new approach to protection ofpublic health the growth and development of the fetus and ofchildren and argues for strong preventative actions New biologicallybasedpublic exposure standards are urgently needed to protect public health worldwide htlp wwwmagdahavascominternational expertsperspective on the health effectsofelectromagnetic fieldsemfand electromagnetic radiationemr
5 The American Academy of Environmental Medicine 2012 recently requested a moratorium on smart meters in their position paper on Electromagnetic and Radiofrequency Fields Effect on Human Health I would contend that the radiation from WiFi in schools is as high if not higher than the radiation generated by smart meters If a moratorium on smart meters is requested that should also apply to deployment of WiFi in schools
6 The Austrian Medical Association on March 3 2012 released their guide for diagnosing and treating people who have electrosensitivity The more we exposed populations to electrosmog the more people are going to become sensitive to this radiation One of the main recommendations is the reduction of EMF exposure
7 The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association OECTA prepared a position paper February 2012 regarding the use of WiFi in the workplace This document is available at httpwwwmagdahavascomontario englishcatholic teachersassociation wi fin the workplaceIt is an excellent document that all school boards should take seriously
How many scientific and medical warnings do we need before we begin to practice good electromagnetic hygiene What if those who believe this radiation is safe are wrong Who will take responsibility for the increase in neurological disorders and cancers that may develop as well as reproductive problems microwave radiation affects sperm Is the convenience of wireless more important than the health of students and teachers Most people do not want to live near cell phone towers but they are willing to put similar microwave transmitters inside a school environment
Wired connects Ethernet or fibre optics are the best solution and many schools that are now installing WiFi already have Ethernet ports for internet access
For those who want more information I prepared a 25minute video on WiFi in schools Please watch it and then decide if the convenience is worth the risk hltp wwwyoutubecomwatch v 6v75sKAUFdc
Magda Havas BSc PhD May 2 2012
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Original Open Letter dated May 5 2009
I am a scientist who does research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation and I am becoming increasingly concerned that a growing number of schools are installing WiFi networks and are making their school grounds available for cell phone antennas
You will be told by both the federal government Health Canada and Industry Canada as well as by the WiFi provider that this technology is safe provided that exposures to radio frequency radiation remain below federal guidelines
You should know that the guidelines we have in Canada protect the public against heating but NOT against biological effects We have some of the worst guidelines in the world for radio frequency radiation
This information is outdated and incorrect based on the growing number of scientific publications that are reporting adverse health and biological effects below our Safety Code 6 guidelines see wwwbioiniativeorg and the growing number of scientific and medical organizations that are asking for stricter guidelines to be enforced
For these reasons it is irresponsible to introduce WiFi microwave radiation into a school environment where young children spend hours each day
FACT
1 GUIDELINES Guidelines for microwave radiation which is what is used in WiFi range 5 orders of magnitude in countries around the world The lowest guidelines are in Salzburg Austria and now in 2 Liechtenstein The guideline in these countries is 01 microWcm See short video http videosnextuporgSfTv LiechtensteinAdoptsTheStandardOffl6 VmBiolnitiative09112008html In 2 Switzerland the guideline is 1 and in Canada it is 1000 microWcm Why does Canada have guidelines that are so much higher than other countries Canadas guidelines are based on a shortterm 6minute heating effect It is assumed that if this radiation does not heat your tissue it is safe This is not correct Effects are documented at levels well below those that are able to heat body tissue See attached report Analysis ofHealth and Environmental Effects ofProposed San Francisco Earthlink Wi FiNetwork 2007 These biological effects include increased permeability of the blood brain barrier increased calcium flux increase in cancer and DNA breaks induced stress proteins and nerve damage Exposure to this energy is associated with altered white blood cells in school children childhood leukemia impaired motor function reaction time and memory headaches dizziness fatigue weakness and insomnia
2 ELECTRO HYPERSENSITIVITY A growing population is adversely affected by these electromagnetic frequencies The illness is referred to as electrohypersensitivity EHS and is recognized as a disability in Sweden The World Health Organization defines EHS as
a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity ofdevices emanating electric magnetic or electromagnetic fields EMFs EHS is a real and sometimes a debilitating problem for the affectedpersons while the level ofEMF in their neighborhood is no greater than is encountered in normal living environments Their exposures are generally several orders of magnitude under the limits in internationally accepted standards
Health Canada acknowledges in their Safety Code 6 guideline that some people are more sensitive to this form of energy but they have yet to address this by revising their guidelines Symptoms of EHS include sleep disturbance fatigue pain nausea skin disorders problems with eyes and ears tinnitus dizziness etc It is estimated that 3 of the population are severely affected and another 35 have moderate symptoms Prolonged exposure may be related to sensitivity and for this reason it is
page 34 imperative that childrens exposure to microwave radiation WiFi and mobile phones be minimized as much as possible
3 CHILDRENS SENSITIVITY Children are more sensitive to environmental contaminants and that includes microwave radiation The Stewart Report 2000 recommended that children not use cell phones except for emergencies The cell phone exposes your head to microwave radiation A wireless computer WiFi exposes your entire upper body and if you have the computer on your lap it exposes your reproductive organs as well Certainly this is not desirable especially for younger children and teenagers For this reason we need to discourage the use of wireless technology by children especially in elementary schools That does not mean that students cannot go on the Internet It simply means that access to the Internet needs to be through wires rather than through the air wireless WiFi 4 REMOVAL OF WIFI Most people do not want to live near either cell phone antennas or WiFi antennas because of health concerns Yet when WiFi wireless routers are used inside buildings it is similar to the antenna being inside the building rather than outside and is potentially much worse with respect to exposure since you are closer to the source of emission
Libraries in France are removing WiFi because of concern from both the scientific community and their employees and patrons
The Vancouver School Board VSB passed a resolution in January 2005 that prohibits construction of cellular antennas within 1000 feet 305 m from school property
Palm Beach Florida Los Angeles California and New Zealand have all prohibited cell phone base stations and antennas near schools due to safety concerns The decision not to place cell antennas near schools is based on the likelihood that children are more susceptible to this form of radiation Clearly if we do not want antennas near schools we certainly do not want antennas inside schools The safest route is to have wired internet access rather than wireless While this is the more costly alternative in the shortterm it is the least costly alternative in the long run if we factor in the cost of ill health of both teachers and students
5 ADVISORIES Advisories to limit cell phone use have been issued by the various countries and organizations including the UK 2000 Germany 2007 France Russia India Belgium 2008 as well as the Toronto Board of Health July 2008 and the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute July 2008 While these advisories relate to cell phone use they apply to WiFi exposure as well since both use microwave radiation If anything WiFi computers expose more of the body to this radiation than do cell phones
6 PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE Even those who do not accept the science showing adverse biological effects of microwave exposure should recognize the need to be careful with the health of children For this reason we have the Precautionary Principle which states
In order to protect the environment the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capability Where there are threats ofserious or irreversible damage lack offull scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation
In this case States refers to the School Board and those who make decisions about the health of children
The two most important environments in a childs life are the home especially the bedroom and the school For this reason it is imperative that these environments remain as safe as possible If we are to err please let us err on the side of caution
Respectfully submitted Dr Magda Havas Associate Professor Trent University May 5 2009
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