We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the construction and installation of cell phone towers and other wireless facilities, including but not limited to antennas, smart cells, satellites, and mini cell towers in our residential zoned neighborhoods. 

Our community is faced with a proposed construction of a cell phone tower on the property of 615 Wyandotte Rd, Mulberry, IN 46058, potentially having a negative impact on our neighborhood’s aesthetic, safety, property values, and our health. 
 
1. HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO WIRELESS EMISSIONS
While the FCC claims that wireless facilities are safe, the U.S. Department of the Interior states that “the electromagnetic radiation standards used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continue to be based on thermal heating, a criterion now nearly 30 years out of date and inapplicable today.”

In 2021 the FCC lost a monumental lawsuit litigated by our current Health Secretary, RFK jr. The lawsuit challenged the FCC’s outdated safety guidelines for cell phone radiation. The court found that the FCC had failed to protect the public from the health risks associated with radiofrequency radiation (RFR), as the guidelines were based on outdated science from the 1990s.

Other countries now limit public exposure to levels far lower than the standards currently set by the FCC. Research studies published in scientific journals such as Bioelectromagnetics have suggested that chronic exposure to the electromagnetic fields generated by cell phone towers could potentially lead to negative health effects.

Studies have shown that even at low levels of radiation, there is evidence of biological damage, brain tumors, cancer, weakened immune function, childhood leukemia, reduced sperm count and ovarian follicles.  Also included in studies are: Spontaneous Abortion, Genetic Mutations, Memory disruptions, Hindered learning, ADD, Insomnia, Brain disorders, Hormonal imbalances, Infertility, Dementia, and Heart complications.

The European Parliament requested a research report, “Health Impact of 5G” which was released in July 2021 concluding that commonly used RFR frequencies (450 to 6000 MHz) are “probably carcinogenic for humans and clearly affect male fertility with possible adverse effects on the development of embryos, fetuses and newborns.”

In May 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the type of radiation that cell towers emit as a Class 2B carcinogen, meaning “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, the same category as lead and DDT.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states: “In recent years, concern has increased about exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phones and phone station antennas. An Egyptian study confirmed concerns that living nearby mobile phone base stations increased the risk for developing: Short-term exposure to these fields in experimental studies have not always shown negative effects, but this does not rule out cumulative damage from these fields, so larger studies over longer periods are needed to help understand who is at risk. In large studies, an association has been observed between symptoms and exposure to these fields in the everyday environment.”

2. NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUES
The health hazards and unsightliness of these installations will have a negative impact on property values. The perceived threat alone would lower property values. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines categorize cell towers with "hazards and nuisances," and HUD requires its certified appraisers to take the presence of nearby cell towers into consideration when determining the value of single-family residential properties. Studies have shown that proximity to a cell tower can lower property values from 5 to 20%.

Cell phone towers can lower property prices due to their unappealing appearance, public apprehension around health consequences and increased noise level. According to a study conducted by the National Institute for Science, Law and Public Policy (NISLAPP), a majority of home buyers would be less interested in properties near cell towers and antennas.

"Of the 1,000 survey respondents, 79 % said that under no circumstances would they ever purchase or rent a property within a few blocks of a cell tower or antennas, and almost 90% said they were concerned about the increasing number of cell towers and antennas in their residential neighborhood.”

"Cell Towers, Antennas Problematic for Buyers" — Realtor Magazine

 
3. NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE RESIDENTS AND SAFETY
The close proximity to homes in neighborhoods would be an intrusion into the privacy of the residents. Workers performing routine maintenance would have direct views into homes. Wireless companies require access for maintenance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That maintenance (often done at night) brings work crews, trucks with lifts, radios, lights and noise that will affect many neighbors. The proposed location is 200 feet from a propane facility which houses 90,000 gallons of propane. There are increased safety risks if the tower were to fall or catch fire. The propane facility is zoned and grandfathered into R3 area. By today’s standards, propane facilities are only allowed in B5 areas. Not only is this proposed location next to flammable propane, but the propane facility itself is not even up to today’s standards because it is sitting in a residential area. 

4. NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Allowing this cell antenna, and others scheduled for the neighborhood, will set a precedent allowing for co-location and additional antennas in our neighborhood community and neighboring communities.  Once a cell site is established, our ability to protect ourselves from additional hazardous exposure of more installations becomes more of a challenge.  Are residential streets shaded by canopies of cell antennas what we want for our future neighborhoods?
 
Our peaceful neighborhood does not deserve to be subjected to such risks that could disrupt the harmony, safety, and well-being of our community. It's our right to work toward maintaining our neighborhood’s beauty, safety, and health--for the benefit of all who live here. Please sign this petition and help protect our community.