DOH to conduct radiation test

CEBU, Philippines - Health officials from Manila are set to conduct an actual radiation measurement in Barangay Apas where two cell sites are being blamed by residents for at least 19 cancer deaths in the community.

The inspectors will be joined by the officials of the Department of Health-7, barangay officials, representatives of Sun Cellular/ Smart and Globe Telecom, as well as officials of the Calvary Hills Apas Residents Organization.

The DOH will be assessing on Wednesday the level of radiofrequency radiation exposure in the environment using spectrum analyzers equipment.

Residents from sitio Calvary Hills earlier sought the eviction of the cell sites. The residents are of the notion that the radiation emitted by the cell sites is causing cancer to the residents in the area.

 The Barangay Council has already passed a resolution appealing to the Cebu City Council to issue a ‘notice of eviction and relocation’ against the owners of the cell towers.  Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said there were no public consultations before the towers were erected.

 Ayuman said it was former barangay captain Clemente Rosales and the seven councilmen who approved the construction of the Globe and Sun Cellular towers in 2000 and 2004, respectively. The construction was allegedly done without proper consultation and despite the opposition of the residents.

“It was also ascertained that none of the resident-petitioners has consented, in any form, to the erection of the said cell towers. The residents have experienced sleepless nights, mental anxiety, paranoia, terrified, and suffering psychological restlessness due to the danger brought by the emitted radiation of the cell sites,” the resolution reads.

 Ayuman said the radiation emitted from the numerous antennas mounted on the mast of the cell sites are also of great concerns to the populace, especially people who lives close to them.

 A  German government study in 2004 showed that people within 1,300 feet from a cell tower has three times risk of cancer, with children and pregnant women at maximum risk. While, people who are exposed to the thermal effects of the radiation suffer fatigue, cataract, and reduced mental concentration.

DOH Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health, and Research head Agnette Peralta, however, pointed out during a recent public hearing that “there is no conclusive evidence that exposure to radio-frequency radiation causes cancer.” (FREEMAN)