Stop the Installation of a Verizon Cell Phone Tower in Milford Borough, PA

The Issue

We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the proposed installation of a Verizon cell phone tower in Milford Borough, PA. The proposed 80-foot-tall tower would be located right in the heart of our historic town, forever changing the beauty of its landscape, and located closest to where our families live, work, learn, and play.

There is a great deal of mounting scientific evidence that demonstrates there are negative biological and environmental impacts from the radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted from these towers at levels at or below the current FCC allowable guidelines. We are concerned for our community, and for the health and safety of our families, friends, neighbors, and people who work here.

In 2018, The National Toxicology Program (NTP) at the National Institutes of Health found clear evidence that long-term exposure to RF radiation from cell phones was associated with malignant schwannomas in the hearts of male rats, some evidence of an association with gliomas and adrenal tumors in male rats, and marked increases in DNA damage in the prefrontal cortex of male mice, blood cells of female mice, and hippocampus of male rats. According to the principal designer of the study, Dr. Ronald Melnick, "...we can no longer assume that any current or future wireless technology, including 5G, is safe without adequate testing."

A study conducted by scientists at the Ramazzini Institute in Italy on far field (cell tower/base station) effects of RF radiation support the findings of the NTP studies. They concluded that, "The RI findings on far field exposure to RFR are consistent with and reinforce the results of the NTP study on near field exposure, as both reported an increase in the incidence of tumors of the brain and heart in RFR-exposed Sprague-Dawley rats. These tumors are of the same histotype of those observed in some epidemiological studies on cell phone users. These experimental studies provide sufficient evidence to call for the re-evaluation of IARC conclusions regarding the carcinogenic potential of RFR in humans."

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer).

Biologist and researcher Alfonso Balmori published a comprehensive review of existing scientific literature on the health effects of cell towers on people. It was published in 2022 in the Environmental Research journal. In it he states, "Overall results of this review show three types of effects by base station antennas on the health of people: radiofrequency sickness (RS), cancer (C) and changes in biochemical parameters (CBP). Considering all the studies reviewed globally (n = 38), 73.6% (28/38) showed effects: 73.9% (17/23) for radiofrequency sickness, 76.9% (10/13) for cancer and 75.0% (6/8) for changes in biochemical parameters...Of special importance are the studies performed on animals or trees near base station antennas that cannot be aware of their proximity and to which psychosomatic effects can never be attributed."

Yes, even wildlife, plants and trees are affected by wireless radiation from cell towers.

The fact is that thousands of independent scientists, doctors, nurses, engineers, and a host of other professionals worldwide, as well as organizations such as the Environmental Health Trust, Americans for Responsible Technology, Children's Health Defense, BioInitiative 2012, and Physicians for Safe Technology, all agree that wireless radiation can have deleterious health effects.

The Communications Workers of America Union writes on its website that, “At the present time, there is substantial scientific data that establishes negative health effects associated with microwave radiation.” Microwave (MW) radiation is commonly categorized as a subset of radiofrequency radiation, and microwave frequencies are used by cell phones and cell towers.

The International Association of Firefighters opposes placing cell phone towers at fire stations. In their website they state, "Internationally acknowledged experts in the field of RF/MW radiation research have shown that RF/MW transmissions of the type used in digital cellular antennas and phones can have critical effects on cell cultures, animals, and people in laboratories and have also found epidemiological evidence (studies of communities, not in the laboratory) of serious health effects at “non-thermal levels,” where the intensity of the RF/MW radiation was too low to cause heating."

In California, firefighters have succeeded in their efforts to be exempt from having cell towers placed at their fire stations.

This proposed cell tower raises another concern, and that is the future installation of additional cell towers, mini cell towers, small cell antennas, and other similar technology, given the ongoing nationwide rollout of 5G. As Joel M. Moskowitz, PhD points out, we have no reason to believe any of this is safe.

Moreover, there are concerns about property values decreasing due to the presence of cell towers. Property values can drop anywhere between 2% and 20% following the installation of a cell tower. Properties within visual range of a cell tower can decrease in value up to 20%. We should not have to bear this financial burden.

Lastly, we must consider potential legal liabilities if someone decides to sue due to health issues or other concerns related with this tower. As residents and taxpayers in Milford, we may indirectly bear these costs.

A 2020 study by J.M. Pearce promotes a 500-meter setback for cell phone towers in order to limit future liabilities. 500 meters (approximately 1,640 feet), covers the majority of the Borough, including Ann Street Park, where families gather, and children play, in the spring, summer, and fall.

In 2020, after a yearlong review, the New Hampshire State Commission concluded that RFR does have negative biological and environmental impacts, and they made a set of recommendations for safer practices with cellular infrastructure, which they shared with policy makers all over the country and world. The Commission was formed because the state legislators were receiving reports from residents in high numbers about the harmful effects of RFR. The Commission was comprised of independent subject matter experts and legislators. They reviewed scientific studies and data, and interviewed researchers, the industry, and regulatory agencies.

It should also be noted that insurance companies all have exclusions for coverage for adverse health effects caused by radio frequency radiation.

We urge the Milford Borough Council and Verizon Communications Inc., to not only think about their business interests, but to also consider our health risks, the environment, property values, and potential legal liabilities involved with this installation.

Please sign our petition against installing a Verizon Cell Phone Tower in Milford Borough. Let us protect our community together!

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