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19 March 2010

Answer to Question #6907 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Microwaves, Radar, and Radiofrequency — Microwaves and Radiofrequency

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

A wireless Internet company wants to place a tower on our property so they can transmit signals to expand their business. Are there any risks we should be concerned about before coming to an agreement with them? We are a family with children and pets; the last thing we want to do is bring any harm upon our loved ones.

In general there is nothing to worry about. The proposed tower should be placed high enough so that any radiation reaching you would be very, very low. There are government standards to protect the public. Electromagnetic emissions, be they radiowaves or microwaves from radar or cellular telephone towers, must be below a certain level, while higher levels must be restricted, usually with fencing or distance, by using a tower. These restrictive emission levels are usually at the point of nearest public access, but the effect of additional distance reduces these levels even more so.

In addition to these regulatory requirements, there also continues to be a lack of credible scientific evidence to show that such emissions pose a safety issue for the public. I personally don't consider them dangerous. My concerns with such structures is usually aesthetic.

The primary mode of biological interaction for these types of radiation is heating, and it is very different than ionizing radiation (nuclear bombs, x rays, radioactivity). Since one can never prove that anything is absolutely safe, there will always be concern and anxiety. I think that there are more important things to worry about than the emissions from this tower.

For additional information on radiofrequency (RF) radiation, I refer you to the Health Physics Society's Q and A section that addresses similar questions with answers. Embedded in some of these answers are additional links to other Web sites with useful information.

Orhan H. Suleiman MS, PhD

Answer posted on 22 February 2008. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.