More than 180 scientists and medical doctors from 35 countries today pleaded for a halt to the proposed rollout of 5G celltowers in Europe.

In California, more than 300 of the 400 city and county governments are opposing SB 649, an industry-sponsored bill which overrides local control over the wireless industry’s access to utility poles and public buildings for 5G deployment.

5G

Environmental health advocates fear that exposure to the added radiation from 5G infrastructure will contribute to increased health problems.

“If this bill passes, many people will suffer greatly, and needlessly, as a direct result. This sounds like hyperbole. It is not.” according to Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine in the medical school at the University of California, San Diego. In her open letter which summarizes the research on the effects of radio frequency radiation, she concludes, ”Let our focus be on safer, wired and well shielded technology – not more wireless.”

Scientists Contact EC

The scientists and doctors sent a declaration today to officials of the European Commission based in Brussels. They demanded a moratorium on the increase of cell antennas for planned 5G expansion. Concerns over health effects from higher radiation exposure include potential neurological impacts, infertility, and cancer.

Roll-out of 5G in the US

In the U.S., the wireless industry is promoting legislation in at least 20 states to facilitate the roll-out of 5G in addition to sponsoring legislation at the federal level.

Here is part of the release datelined Sept. 13 in Orebro, Sweden.

“The wireless industry is trying to deploy technology that may have some very real unintended harmful consequences,” explains one of the organizers of the letter, Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. “Scientific studies from years ago along with many new studies are consistently identifying harmful human health impacts when wireless products are tested properly using conditions that reflect actual exposures. With hazards at those exposures, we are very concerned that the added exposure to 5G radiation could result in tragic, irreversible harm.”

5G expansion, which is designed to carry higher loads of data more rapidly through wireless transmission, will require the construction of cell towers every 10-20 houses in urban areas.

In their letter to the European Commission, the scientists write:

“We, the undersigned, more than 180 scientists and doctors from 35 nations, recommend a moratorium on the roll-out of the fifth generation, 5G, for telecommunication until potential hazards for human health and the environment have been fully investigated by scientists independent from industry.”

University of California, Berkeley public health researcher Joel Moskowitz, PhD, explains:

“Peer-reviewed research has documented industry influence on studies of the health impacts of wireless radiation. We are insisting on a moratorium on 5G until non-industry research can be conducted to ensure the safety of the public.”

The press release, the declaration and a list of signatories can be found at: http://bit.ly/5Gscienceappeal

Ellie Marks, chair, Calif. Brain Tumor Assn., made the following statement today:

Interesting that the Calif. Assembly and Senate are voting this week on deploying 5G statewide without any input from your local government or from YOU- this equipment will be in front of every few homes (in the rights of way), near schools, in parks and on public buildings. There is nothing you can say or do about it.

"Call your legislators TODAY- Assembly Member and Senator to vote NO on SB 649- you will be sorry later on when you see this ugly thing in your yard - there are serious health ramifications- but also think about property values and aesthetics.

Visit NOON649.org to find your legislator and donate for our continued efforts. Thank you."

Ellie Marks
California Brain Tumor Association

Calif. AARP Opposes SB 649

July 19, 2017

The Honorable Lorena Fletcher Gonzalez, Chair Assembly Appropriations Committee
State Capitol, Room 2114
Sacramento, California 95814

Re: SB 649 (Hueso): Wireless Telecommunications Facilities – As Amended – OPPOSE

Dear Assembly Member Gonzalez:

On behalf of more than 3.3 million AARP members in California, I am writing in opposition of SB 649, which would harm California consumers. AARP believes that government should conduct the public’s business in an open, inclusionary, and equitable manner, and that administrative agencies should promote fairness, openness, and accountability in public decision-making. Unfortunately, SB 649 does just the opposite.

It is part of a nationwide effort to undermine the authority of local jurisdictions by allowing the installation of wireless or “small-cell” technology without requiring city or county discretionary permits. The wireless industry has convinced the Federal Communications Commission to launch a proceeding that preempts local authority if permits are not processed as quickly as the industry desires. This is clearly a usurpation of local authority and is contrary to the public’s interest in transparent, accountable government.

In addition, this bill aims to bypass the standard California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, which identifies the environmental impact of physical developments. SB 649 also prevents local jurisdictions from rejecting small-cell towers on public property, with the only exception being fire departments.

This essentially negates a jurisdiction’s local zoning rights. Furthermore, this bill denies municipalities the right to charge a telecommunications company a fair market rate for the lease and rental of public property, which could potentially harm the economic welfare of the community through lost revenue and subsequent taxation in order to make up for that loss.