We, Vera and Ved, as Freedom HS students, along with several members of the South Riding community, strongly oppose the construction of the Cell Tower at Freedom HS. 

The Cell Tower at Freedom HS will be a major health hazard and will pose a significant threat to students at Freedom and their families. 

If built, the Cell Tower will:

• Emit dangerous radiation.
  
  • Due to data indicating effects at legally permissible levels, hundreds of scientists are advocating that our exposure to cell towers be decreased. These scientists have written letters to schools and legislators encouraging them to protect children and the public.
• Have serious health effects on people's welfare.
  • Scientific research has shown that even at low levels of radiation, there is evidence of biological damage, brain tumors, cancer, weakened immune function, childhood leukemia. 
  • In May 2011, The World Health Organization (WHO) classified cell tower radiation as a Class 2B carcinogen, which means "possibly carcinogenic to humans," same as lead and DDT.
  • Concerns have been raised by the American Academy of Pediatrics that children may be more vulnerable than adults since their nervous systems are still developing; “additionally, their brain tissue is more conductive, radio frequency radiation penetration is greater relative to head size, and they will have a longer lifetime of exposure than adults." (AAP).
• And be a visual and environmental pollutant.
  
  • Tree tops tend to dry out when they are directly facing cell tower antennas. Browning of tree tops is common near cell towers. Cell towers are also unsustainable and release greenhouse gasses because almost all rely on diesel generators.

To the Loudoun County School Board and Milestone Towers, we request that you take immediate action in preventing and stopping the installation of this Cell Tower and even- maybe- any future installations near school and homes. We urge you to not move forward with building the Cell Tower. Please expedite this process. The removal of this Cell Tower is critical for the health and future of children like us, as well as for the safety of the Freedom and South Riding population. Devices like the Cell Tower which may contribute to the development of cancer and other health issues in the campus where students are, have no place on school grounds.