Letter supporting Manukau petition re. Cell Phone Towers

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Robina Richardson
From:
lanna han [[email protected]]
Sent:
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 7:08 a.m.
To:
Pavan Sharma
Cc:
[email protected]; [email protected]; jeni−[email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; mum and dad parents; Jenny k.; Fran Nixon−Bentley; Ann Rae; Sarah
Robbie; [email protected]; Fiona Jeffcoat; kate marcus; Aranka Rauschenberger;
[email protected]; sam−[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; Sharon Stewart; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; Fiona (Reubens Mum)
Subject Letter supporting Manukau petition re. Cell Phone Towers
Subject: Letter supporting Manukau petition re. Cell Phone Towers
Dear Pavan
Please find below a letter in support of the Manukau petition (Sharon Stewart, David Collings and others) asking the
government to prevent the installation of cell phone towers near homes, schools and other 'sensitive' sites. I would
appreciate you forwarding a copy of the letter to all members of the select committee.
Thank you
Lanna Han
To the members of the Select Committee
We are writing in support of the petition (Sharon Stewart, David Collings plus 1451 others) asking the government to
stop the installation of cell phone towers near homes, schools and other 'sensitive' sites. As residents of Manukau
City living opposite eight existing cell phone antennae and currently struggling to stop yet another tower (3 panels)
being erected in very close proximity to our home, we beg you to read the following and take our concerns very
seriously.
There is enormous debate worldwide as to the possible health effects of living near cell phone towers. As
acknowledged by bodies such as the WHO and the European Parliament, and the governments of China, italy, Israel,
Switzerland and Russia, and academic institutions including our own Victoria University of Wellington, more research
needs to be done regarding the possible adverse effects on human health caused by EMFs. As members of the select
committee, we hope you are able to study in depth such documents as:
• EU Dossier entitled 'Health concerns associated with electromagnetic fields' adopted April 2009
• Victoria University of Wellington 'Cellular Phone Antennae Guidelines' effective from 18 February 2009
• 'Exclusion Zones Close to Wireless Communication Transmitter Aiming to Reduce Human Health Risks' by Alvaro
de Salles and Claudio Fernandez
• the works of Dr Magda Havas, Dr Andrew Goldsworthy, Dr Neil Cherry and Dr Henry Lai
These are just a starting point for a growing store of knowledge indicating serious adverse health effects stemming
from cell phone towers. The risk of such effects has been sufficient for other nations and governing bodies to adopt the
precautionary principle. This means that maximum exposure levels are greatly reduced (whilst yet allowing cell phone
coverage) and required minimum distances from homes and schools are determined by the government. Given the
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increasing number of telecommunication companies in New Zealand and the rapidly changing technology that
demands a vast increase in the number of cell phone towers, it is time for New Zealand to analyse current practice as to
how well it protects our citizens from possible long−term harm.
Current New Zealand practice lags far far behind international best practice. In the Manukau region cell phone towers
are being erected outside residential homes, kindergartens and schools despite the fact in France and Belgium towers
outside such sensitive sites are being removed and the European Parliament expressly stated this year 'it is important
to ensure at LEAST that schools, creches, retirement homes, and health care institutions are kept clear'. Under the
appalling NES, no site is considered too sensitive − it is difficult in our area to find schools without cell towers in close
proximity, in fact often towers exist in clusters outside schools. One of our local kindergartens was chosen by
councillors, and subsequently 'passed' in a council vote to have a tower installed just 30 metres from their playground.
Residential homes are also under attack with towers going immediately outside bedrooms and living rooms. Already
the levels of radiation in our living room is above the maximum levels allowed in Italy, Switzerland, Russia and China
plus the campus of Victoria University of Wellington. Measurements in our living room show radiation levels currently
over 1000 times greater than average exposure in New Zealand city centres, according to data supplied by the National
Radiation Laboratory. And yet, we are facing the installation of another tower! How can this be allowed to happen in
our country?
Hundreds of members of our community have implored our council to prevent such installations but have been
repeatedly told that under the NES, 'our hands are tied' (Cr Dick Quax), and, despite it being an 'evil piece of
legislation' (Cr Maggie Burrill), Manukau City Council insists they have no power to stop the current proliferation of
poorly sited towers. Whether this is simply a high stakes game of 'pass the buck' or reality, we don't know, but it is time
for someone to take responsibility for our future and the future of our children.
As a member of the 'Select Committee for Local Government and Environment' you have a special responsibility and
Opportunity to ensure a better future for the people of New Zealand. We urge you to halt the installation of cell
phone towers close to homes, kindergartens, schools and other sensitive sites IMMEDIATELY. It is time to change
New Zealand law, in particular the NES, to ensure the health of our families is paramount.
In trust
Lanna Han
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19/10/2009