Author: cindyleerussell

A Federal judge on August 9, 2019 provided some good news for Native American tribes as well as cities who are faced with pending applications for “small cell” towers. Many legal questions are swirling around, as communities join forces to fight the onslaught of “small cell” towers bringing us the promised and pervasive 5G for faster downloads anywhere. Health and environmental concerns are mounting as reports of 5G injury are appearing in the news. 5G has already appeared in space with tens of thousands more satellites planned. It has long been thought that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prevents any legal way to fight these cell towers on health or environmental grounds. Some, like the NRDC, are challenging that notion and winning through a Federal policy act known as NEPA.

Read More “NRDC and Tribes Win NEPA Ruling to Fight 5G Neighborhood Small Cell Towers”

FCC Safety Guidelines Were Exceeded in Chicago Tribune Cell Phone Tests: New Lawsuit

The Chicago Tribune, in August 2019, investigated cell phone safety by testing 11 models of popular cell phones, both according to the manufacturers recommended distance from the head (5 to15 mm), as well as in a manner consistent with how they are used, i.e. close to the head. The accredited lab found that with some of the phones the levels exceeded the FCC guidelines both at recommended positions and in close proximity to the body.  A class action lawsuit was filed against Apple and Samsung  by a group of lawyers in California, Illinois and Iowa who state the manufacturers “intentionally misrepresented” the safety of these phones. The attorneys argue that numerous scientific publications

Read More “U.S. Phonegate? Cell Phone Safety Guidelines Exceeded in Study – Lawsuit Follows”

The East Idaho News reported on Nov 14, 2019, that the National Park Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to install about 500 indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi networks and cell towers throughout Yellowstone National Park’s developed areas for park visitors and employees. An SF Chronicle article Oct 20, 2019 notes this is part of a push to “modernize” the nations campgrounds. The article states, “The heart of the proposal is to hand some campground operations over to concessionaires and modernize them. The Sierra Club opposes that and said that concessionaires could transform national parks into “profit centers.” Sequoia National Park is also getting its first cell tower, however, not everyone is pleased.

Digital Wireless Devices and Nature: De-stressing or Distracting America?

The National Park service page invites you to “Experience Your America”, however, if you wish for you and your children to have an undistracted and stress reducing experience in the great outdoors, you may soon not have a choice. The science of

Read More “Should Yellowstone Have 484 New Cell Towers? Comments due Nov 29, 2019”

A new law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom allows schools to determine ways to reduce or eliminate the use of cell phones in school.

Read More “New California Law Bans Cell Phones in Classrooms”

Firefighters are the first responders in emergencies. Every community depends upon their strength, bravery and clear quick thinking to protect lives and property. What happened when first responder cell towers were placed on fire stations to facilitate communications between police and medical personnel?  Within a week of installation many firefighters developed unusual symptoms of headaches, fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, confusion, nausea and weakness. After a time, firefighters in stations with adjacent cell towers were found to have forgotten CPR or became lost responding to a fire in a city they grew up in. A neurologic study was commissioned by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), led by Dr. Gunnar Heuser, to determine if there was any evidence of brain dysfunction in those exposed for long periods to first responder cell towers. Firefighters then began fighting cell towers as well as fires.

Read More “Firefighters Fighting Fires… and Now Cell Towers”

The  Office of Inspector General in the U.S. Department of the Interior conducted a National Park Service audit of cell towers in response to complaints about illegal cell towers in Yosemite National Park, completed July 19, 2019. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) prompted this inquiry. Their Press Release from July 30, 2019 is titled CELL TOWER MIASMA PERVADES NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

Read More “Yosemite National Park: Illegal Permitting of Cell Towers”

 

The first reported injury of 5G in a news report comes from Switzerland, where 5G has been launched in 102 locations.  The weekly French-language Swiss magazine L’Illustré  interviewed people living in Geneva after the 5G rollout with alarming details of illness. In their article, With 5G, We Feel Like Guinea Pigs, posted July 18, 2019, they report neighbors met to discuss their many common symptoms and many unanswered questions.

Read More “The First Report of 5G Injury from Switzerland”

What is the diagnosis, doctor? The onset of strange symptoms, in a strange country, in the middle of the night led the author to more than a diagnosis of microwave illness. After suffering months of unexplained nausea, insomnia, ringing in the ears, fatigue and body aches she consulted with a German doctor to help her figure out what was happening.  In her journey to find her own health she learned about the secrecy of government agencies and how evidence of health effects are suppressed. Her diary reads like Anne Frank. Chilling and a warning to us all. The last part of the book is devoted to valuable DYI measures to protect your home and family. In the age of wireless this book is a necessary read. Her story is reminiscent of other peoples journey’s into microwave illness and chronic electrohypersensitivity.   All EMFd Up (Electromagnetic Fields): My Journey Through Wireless Radiation Poisoning and How You Can Protect Yourself. (2019) by Anne Mills is a good read.

Read More “Book Review: All EMF’d Up- My Journey Through Wireless Radiation Poisoning”

On June 27, 2019 Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced SB 2012, ‘‘Restoring Local Control Over Public Infrastructure Act of 2019’’, a senate companion bill to Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s HR530, which would similarly repeal FCC rules that limit state and local government control over telecom infrastructure. The bill is cosponsored by Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Michael Bennet (Colo.), Kamala D. Harris (Calif.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Ben Cardin (Md.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.). The bill is supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, American Public Power Association, Communications Workers of America, National Association of Counties, League of California Cities and American Public Works Association. Feinstein press release here,  Restoring Local Control Over Public Infrastructure Act of 2019’’

Read More “Senator Feinstein Introduces SB 2012 to Block FCC Small Cell Order”

The City of Berkeley won another round, but not the last, against Big Telecom in the 5 year battle to provide simple safety warnings at cell phone point of purchase, informing consumers of potential harms from carrying these devices against the body. It is the same FCC mandated warning buried deep in the manufacturers cell phone manual. On July 1, 2019,  after many appeals, the Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court upheld Berkeley’s 2015 cell phone “right to know” law, requiring cell phone retailers to post or hand out a warning to consumers at the point of sale. The original 2015 lawsuit has yet to be heard, however, as industry continues to work the appeals court.

Read More “Historic Berkeley Cell Phone Warning Ordinance Wins in US Federal Appeals Court”