WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE “NO” ON H5224 SMALL CELL SITING ACT

 

We all want to live in healthy communities where everyone has the opportunity to flourish and contribute to society.   Successful societies are built on a sense of community, where we are guided not only by our common humanity, but by common sense and the safeguarding of our individual rights.  The measure of a society is often best judged by how we treat the most vulnerable among us, and this is one of many reasons why I ask you to think carefully about H5224 because this bill will essentially decimate the  health of our society, instantaneously strip all of us of our individual rights, and discriminate immediately against those among us who are already struggling the most.  All of these tragic consequences...and for what reason?  So that people can download a movie in four seconds instead of a few minutes?  Or so some day in the future, corporations will make billions off of driver less cars at the expense of the public's health??  Please ask yourself if what we might gain is really worth all that we are certain to lose.

 

All living organisms are electromagnetically sensitive.  This a scientific fact and basic biology.  UK-based EM Radiation Research Trust estimates that between 2.5% to 8% of the population is estimated to have severe (hyper) electromagnetic sensitivity (EM Radiation Research Trust 2015).  Research conducted by Hallberg, an independent researcher, and Oberfeld, a medical doctor from the  Austrian Department of Public Health, indicated that up to 50% of the population will be electrically sensitive in the near future (Hallberg & Oberfeld 2006).  In Rhode Island, we can therefore assume that approximately 26,000 to 85,000 Rhode  Islanders, at minimum, can be expected to react severely and most likely instantaneously to deployment of 5G small cells in their communities. 

 

I myself am personally aware of seventeen people here in the state who have varying degrees (moderate to severe) of electromagnetic sensitivity, including myself, and so these people are already severely sickened and in some cases legally disabled by symptoms caused by involuntary exposure to radiation from "smart" emf-emitting utility meters, WiFi, cell phones, wireless gadgets/sensors in automobiles, cell towers, etc., all of which are ubiquitous in our environment, to the point exposure to the same is now unavoidable.  Many have been driven out of their homes more than once due to emf-emitting utility meters, forced out of schools and workplaces due to WiFi networks, and most can't obtain medical care or even groceries without suffering debilitating illness.

 

People with electrosensitivity commonly report symptoms such as headaches, migraines, fatigue, weakness, seizures, heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness, tinnitus, ADHD, cognitive deficits, confusion, memory problems, behavior changes, sleep disturbances, burning skin, ears, and eyes, convulsions, muscle spasms, anxiety, depression, chronic sinusitis, unexplained cough, fainting, and much more.  These symptoms become more and more severe over time as exposure becomes unavoidable in their homes, schools, and workplaces.  Very often people are suffering greatly from their day-to-day exposure to radiation from their personal wireless devices, emf-emitting utility meters on their homes, and WiFi in their workplace or schools, without ever knowing the cause of their illness until it is too late.

 

To fully understand the consequences of 5G/small cells, please read the following article:

 

https://betweenrockandhardplace.wordpress.com/2017/06/26/guest-blog-health-exemption-for-firefighters-sends-a-message-to-the-world-by-susan-foster/

 

One can argue that passage of H5224, a comparable bill to the one in California referenced in the above article, is nothing short of the legislature sanctioning criminal assault against all of us and a certain death sentence for those who are already sickened and/or disabled by the unavoidable wireless infrastructure currently in place. 

 

 

This bill, if passed into law, will immediately place the State in a position of liability for widespread violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act, since 5G will bar access to EVERYTHING, including housing, for those of us already adversely impacted by radio frequency radiation (RFR). 

 

Involuntary exposure to this radiation is nothing less than a criminal assault against an unsuspecting public.  And as well it can be argued that deployment of “small cells”/5G in the state will likely increase the emf disabled population exponentially, while at the same time adversely impacting many, many others who have pre-existing medical conditions.  This situation creates a substantial legal liability on the part of the State.

 

I know two others (above and beyond the seventeen people cited above) who've relocated out of state due to illness from RFR.  Another person is reportedly living in the woods somewhere in Rhode Island, but I've yet to be able to track him down.  There are eleven others I personally know of  who need to avoid exposure for other medical reasons (heart conditions, diabetes, Lyme Disease, children with medical conditions, etc.).  And this is just within my small circle of friends and acquaintances.

Another woman I know (who eventually died from the cancer she was battling) was desperately trying to avoid radiation exposure per her doctor, but the utility refused to replace her emf-emitting utility meter with an analog meter. 

 

Involuntary exposure to wireless radiation is NOT just an issue for people who have moderate to disabling (hyper/severe) electromagnetic sensitivity.  Exposure to wireless radiation is contraindicated for MANY medical conditions, including:

 

Neurological diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Multiple Sclerosis, etc.)

 

Neurological conditions (headaches, migraines, depression, sleep disruption, fatigue, dizziness, tremors, seizures, ADHD, anxiety),

 

Developmental disorders (autism, learning deficits)

 

Heart and Cardiovascular disease (arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation, Tachycardia, etc.)

 

Fetal abnormalities and pregnancy

 

Respiratory conditions (asthma, reactive airway, chronic infection)

 

Chronic Inflammatory conditions (Lyme Disease, Lupus, Arthritis)

 

Musculoskeletal conditions (fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis)

 

Immune disorders (mast cell disorder, food and environmental allergies)

 

Cancer (previously treated or current)

 

Genetic defects

 

Liver disease

 

Gastrointestinal disorders (Crohn's, Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

 

People with metallic metal medical implants (metal rods/pins for broken bones, metallic dental fillings, orthodontic appliances, prosthetics, pacemakers, electronic neurostimulators, etc.) must also avoid exposure.  Many veterans have become electromagnetically sensitive due to exposures in the military to electromagnetic and/or acoustic weaponry, radar, and radio communications, and/or due to metallic prosthetics.

 

All such people will likely be immediately adversely affected if the Small Cell Siting Act (H5224) is signed into law, and many others will likely become sensitive with this cumulative, chronic, and in most cases completely involuntary exposure. 

 

Please see this position statement from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine regarding how many people are already suffering from the wireless “smart” utility grid:

 https://www.aaemonline.org/pdf/AAEMEMFmedicalconditions.pdf

 

Those of us who are already ill due to electromagnetic sensitivity currently cannot even access our own State House to testify on this bill, nor did we have the ability or opportunity to write up and submit testimony in the first place because most are so busy just trying to survive ongoing, daily injury and illness due to “smart” wireless emf-emitting utility meters, WiFi, cell towers, and other involuntary exposures in our homes, schools, and workplaces.  Many have already been driven out of homes and neighborhoods, pushed out of schools and/or the work force, and in some cases out of the state entirely.

 

Please read the full appeal to the United Nations from 232 scientists from 41 countries regarding the dangers of ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF given current inadequate RF exposure guidelines.  The appeal can be found at:  https://www.emfscientist.org/index.php/emf-scientist-appeal

International Appeal:  Scientists call for Protection from Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Field Exposure

“We are scientists engaged in the study of biological and health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices. These include–but are not limited to–radio frequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF).”

Radio frequency radiation is currently classified as a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer.  How and why does the legislature believe that they have the right to expose everyone to such a risk, in the privacy of their own homes??

So before you vote on H5224, please ask yourself the following questions:

What frequencies will be emitted by 5G small cell antennas?

How does the radiation compare to that emitted by wireless radiation-emitting devices already in place?

What is the modulation scheme?

What are the occupational and public exposure limits for Millimeter Wave Radiation (MMW) exposure?

How will MMW interact in combination with radiation emitted from other wireless technology co-located nearby?

What new frequencies will be created due to the intersection of radio frequency fields from other cellular antennas/devices already in use with 5G small cell antenna MMW?

What studies have been conducted to prove this technology safe for 24/7 ubiquitous exposure to humans, animals, plants and microorganisms?

What are the biological effects caused by MMW electromagnetic radiation exposure?

How do you intend to obtain the informed consent of every citizen and visitor to the state who will be subjected to this human experimentation?

How do you intend to protect those who choose not to be exposed for disability, medical, or religious reasons, and/or basic violation of their civil rights??

How does the State intend to compensate people exposed to MMW for their lost wages, illnesses, cancers, etc.?

How does the State intend to justify denying the emf disabled population (and others with medical conditions who must avoid electromagnetic radiation exposure) basic access to essentially all public services, schooling, medical care, and housing across the board—all of which will be impacted by blanket coverage with 5G?  Especially when so many are currently in crisis from the wireless infrastructure that's already in place?

 

How does the State intend to foot the bill for their astronomical liability to the large numbers of people adversely affected, seriously injured, and/or killed by exposure to MMW/5G radiation?

Chances are you can't answer ANY of the above questions, which reveals how very little you know about the legislation you're about to vote on.

This is why you should be voting NO on this tragic, ill-conceived, and irresponsible piece of legislation that will likely cripple our State's economy due to the widespread illness that's likely to result.  Injuries and illness caused by 5G will tap out our public resources and likely bankrupt the State due to the numerous class action lawsuits that will follow, as well all the ADA and Fair Housing violations that will surely result from blanket coverage of our state with small cells/5G.  That's because the radiation produced will immediately bar access to everything for those with medical conditions who must avoid exposure, which violates both state and federal law.

Please keep in mind the following:

Human experimentation without informed consent is illegal.

Violating people's right to public services and equal access to housing is illegal.

Violating people's civil rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness is illegal.

Violating people's right to privacy in their home, and over their bodies, is illegal.

5G/small cells do ALL of the above.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON H5224 Small Cell Siting Act.

Your role is to safeguard the health and welfare of your constituents, as well as the financial solvency of the State.   Just because this bill is politically popular does NOT mean it's in the best interest of your constituents.  Please get informed about 5G.  You shouldn't vote YES on a piece of legislation that has such widespread consequences, consequences that you and the rest of the legislature clearly haven't researched.  It is those of us who have already been harmed that you should be looking to for guidance, not the industry that harmed all of us in the first place.

Sincerely,

Mary Adkins, M.Ed., RI Regional Director

Citizens for Safe Technology

www.citizensforsafetechnology.co

Former Configuration Manager, MK 48 ADCAP Torpedo Program

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport

78 White Falls Trail, Wakefield, RI  02879

(401) 284-4530

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