To: guru@emfguru.com
This information will soon be posted on the Site Planning page of our web site.
This message contains URL's for articles from various industry and government
web sites that discuss safety hazards and liability issues from wireless
telecommunications installations. These include back-up battery problems
including fire, explosion, and leaking of sulfuric acid as well as liability for
RF interference with a variety of industrial, medical and home electronic
equipment in the neighborhood and real estate property devaluation.
These articles can help to build the "public safety" and "preserving property
values" arguments and provide "substantial evidence in a written record" to deny
permits for wireless telecommunications facilities in close proximity to
schools, homes, and day care and nursing home facilities such as on the
community water tower, as well as those proposed for existing structures such as
roof tops, historic structures and churches. The equipment shelter/hut that is
required for the operation of the antennas presents a clear hazard to the safety
of the neighborhood. The cost of liability insurance to cover all of these
hazards along with decreases in property values should discourage churches and
historic sites from hosting wireless facilities despite the promise of revenue
from the wireless provider.
BATTERY HAZARDS
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/batteries-hazards.html
Lead-Acid Battery Hazards
http://www.ncs.gov/n5_hp/information_Assurance/HazSec2.htm
Web site of the National Communications System (NCS). In 1962 after the Cuban
missile crisis, President Kennedy directed the National Security Council (NSC)
to form this interdepartmental committee to examine the communications networks
and institute changes.
>From this on-line NCS Report - 2.0 NATURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS:
This section provides information concerning major natural and technological
hazard threats to NS/EP telecommunications and supporting systems.
2.2.1.3 Experiential Data
Properties wholly dedicated to computer or telecommunications activities are
actually a comparatively small part of the U.S. fire problem. From1990 to 1994,
computer and data processing centers annually averaged 29 structure fires, no
reported deaths, 1 injury, and $1.31 million in direct property damage. All
communications, defense, and document facilities combine - including defense
radio and radar sites, police and fire communications centers, telephone
exchanges, and document centers and record repositories- annually averaged 249
structure fires, no deaths, 6 injuries, and $7.21 million in direct property
damage. The large problem actually occurs in electronic equipment rooms or areas
where more than 1,000 structure fires are reported each year to U.S. fire
departments.
See section entitled "1994 Los Angeles Telephone Exchange Fire" and paragraph
under Table 2-8 Causes of Fires at Telecommunications Facilities.
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "A battery for all seasons?" in the SEARCH box. Click on GO.
http://www.calicorp.com/advisory.htm
Advisory: Lead-acid Batteries
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "Power Struggle: Battling over battery technologies" in the SEARCH
box. Click on GO.
http://www.zomeworks.com/tech/H2/H2FAQ.html
Hydrogen FAQ [This article discusses how complex proper venting of a battery
shelter/room is. This company sells shelters as well as designs to properly vent
existing shelters.]
"What is the danger of explosion during battery charging?
Battery rooms and cabinets are notorious for explosions when hydrogen created by
electrolysis and mixed with oxygen is ignited by a spark.
The proliferation of back up batteries at communications sites has spread the
hazard from the private concern of the battery's users to the public at large.
Battery cabinets, vaults, and rooms are now scattered like time bombs all around
the world, many where explosion could injure or kill unaware bystanders. The
danger is not imagined. Many vaults have exploded and recently a communications
shelter in Yuma, Arizona, exploded shattering the windows of a neighboring
house..."
http://www.powerquality.com/art0060/art1.htm
>From the industry journal, Power Quality Journal. I made several calls to some
of the authors of these various articles and learned that a typical cellular/PCS
equipment cabinet/hut contains 16 automobile-type batteries to back up the
generator that is operated by diesel.
The cogent point in this article is in the first paragraph:
". . . Most battery owners, including some of the biggest companies is the
country, do not follow IEEE recommendations. They claim that the full program is
too expensive. That is short-term thinking and sooner or later they will pay for
it."
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/open-house.html
Fire Department Safety Officers Association - "Open House" Battery Incident
http://www.firehouse.com/news/2000/6/14_APstate.html
Fire Knocks Out State Department Phones
http://www.wa.gov/lni/news/pr051800.htm
All telecommunications contractors must register with Labor & Industry by June 8
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type "Powering wireless telecom basestations" in the SEARCH box. Click on "GO."
http://www.ospmag.com/features/1999/h2_ohno.htm
H2-OhNo! Hydrogen Build-Up Can Cause Battery Cabinets to EXPLODE
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "Flirting with disaster" in SEARCH box. Click on GO.
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/osha_special_equip.htm
Electrical Safety Requirements for Special Equipment -
OSHA Regulatory Profile - Special Equipment
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/batteries-buildings.html
Lead-Acid Batteries in Buildings
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF BATTERY CHEMICALS
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/osha-articles.html
Industrial Lead-Acid Batteries Are Not Considered "Articles"
http://www.calicorp.com/epa_news_release.htm
EPA News Release - Ten Telecommunications Companies Voluntarily Disclose and
Correct Environmental Violations
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/ore/enfalert/vol3num6.html
EPA's "Audit Policy" Offers Opportunity for Telecommunications Industry to
Remedy Violations
http://www.americasnetwork.com/issues/2000supplements/20000915cc/cc20000915_finesprint.htm
Smart builders: The Fine(s) Print - EPA takes kindly to telecom companies that
catch and report their own mistakes
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION LIABILITY ISSUES - RF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "The case for testing electromagnetic radiation at the mobile radio
sites" in the SEARCH box. Click GO.
>From the United Kingdom-based web site of The Institution of Electrical
Engineers. IEE represents the public, professional and educational interest of
over 140,000 electrical, electronic and manufacturing engineers world-wide. Key
activities include publishing, the organisation of conferences, the maintenance
of technical standards, interaction with government departments and the
provision of scientific and technical information services.
http://www.iee.org.uk/PAB/EMC/core.htm
IEE Guidance Document on EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and Functional
Safety
[From "Introduction and Purpose"]
"One of the problems peculiar to all electronic technologies is electromagnetic
(EM) interference. All electrical and electronic technologies emit EM
disturbances that can interfere with the correct operation of
radio-communications or other electronics. Modern electronic technologies are
in general more likely to cause such disturbances than those they replace.
All electronic technologies can also suffer from degraded functionality
(including complete failure) when exposed to EM disturbances. Modern electronic
technologies are in general more likely to be susceptible in this way than those
they replace. . .
Electronic technology is increasingly used in safety-related applications.
Consequently, errors and misoperation of electronic devices due to inadequate
EMC can result in hazardous situations with an increased risk of harm to
people's health and safety."
REAL ESTATE DEVALUATION
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/pubs/aipub125.htm
The Home Environmental Sourcebook: 50 Environmental Hazards to Avoid When
Buying, Selling, or Maintaining a Home.
Although published in 1996, it is currently out of printed. Try to borrow a
copy from your state's Appraisal Board's library. Wireless base stations are
included in the list of 50.
http://www.abanet.org/publicserv/envguide.html
1998 American Bar Association Annual Meeting - Environmental Law Activities
Session on Monday, August 3, 1998 - Stigmas, Contamination and the Environment:
Their Influence on Property Valuation for Tax Purposes. Microwave and cellular
towers are included in the list of stigmas.
Janet Newton, Executive Officer
EMR Network
P.O. Box 221, Marshfield VT 05658
Donations should be sent to: EMR Network, P.O. Box 393, Concord MA 01742
Tel: (802) 426-3035 FAX: (802) 426-3030
Web Site: www.EMRNetwork.org
--------------91E49309FF220CE43A466AAE
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
..........From EMF-L.........
-------- Original Message --------
| Subject: |
HAZARDS of cellular and PCS base stations |
| Date: |
Wed, 07 Mar 2001 11:34:15 -0800 |
| From: |
JNewton at EMRNetwork <JNewton@emrnetwork.org> |
| To: |
guru@emfguru.com |
This information will soon be posted on the Site Planning page of our
web site.
This message contains URL's for articles from various industry and
government web sites that discuss safety hazards and liability
issues from wireless telecommunications installations. These include
back-up battery problems including fire, explosion, and leaking of
sulfuric acid as well as liability for RF interference with a variety of
industrial, medical and home electronic equipment in the neighborhood and
real estate property devaluation.
These articles can help to build the "public safety" and "preserving
property values" arguments and provide "substantial evidence in a written
record" to deny permits for wireless telecommunications facilities in close
proximity to schools, homes, and day care and nursing home facilities such
as on the community water tower, as well as those proposed for existing
structures such as roof tops, historic structures and churches. The
equipment shelter/hut that is required for the operation of the antennas
presents a clear hazard to the safety of the neighborhood. The cost
of liability insurance to cover all of these hazards along with decreases
in property values should discourage churches and historic sites from hosting
wireless facilities despite the promise of revenue from the wireless provider.
BATTERY HAZARDS
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/batteries-hazards.html
Lead-Acid Battery Hazards
http://www.ncs.gov/n5_hp/information_Assurance/HazSec2.htm
Web site of the National Communications System (NCS). In 1962
after the Cuban missile crisis, President Kennedy directed the National
Security Council (NSC) to form this interdepartmental committee to examine
the communications networks and institute changes.
From this on-line NCS Report - 2.0 NATURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL
HAZARDS:
This section provides information concerning major natural and technological
hazard threats to NS/EP telecommunications and supporting systems.
2.2.1.3 Experiential Data
Properties wholly dedicated to computer or telecommunications activities
are actually a comparatively small part of the U.S. fire problem. From1990
to 1994, computer and data processing centers annually averaged 29 structure
fires, no reported deaths, 1 injury, and $1.31 million in direct property
damage. All communications, defense, and document facilities combine -
including defense radio and radar sites, police and fire communications
centers, telephone exchanges, and document centers and record repositories-
annually averaged 249 structure fires, no deaths, 6 injuries, and $7.21
million in direct property damage. The large problem actually occurs
in electronic equipment rooms or areas where more than 1,000 structure
fires are reported each year to U.S. fire departments.
See section entitled "1994 Los Angeles Telephone Exchange Fire" and
paragraph under Table 2-8 Causes of Fires at Telecommunications
Facilities.
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "A battery for all seasons?" in the SEARCH box. Click
on GO.
http://www.calicorp.com/advisory.htm
Advisory: Lead-acid Batteries
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "Power Struggle: Battling over battery technologies"
in the SEARCH box. Click on GO.
http://www.zomeworks.com/tech/H2/H2FAQ.html
Hydrogen FAQ [This article discusses how complex proper venting
of a battery shelter/room is. This company sells shelters as well as designs
to properly vent existing shelters.]
"What is the danger of explosion during battery charging?
Battery rooms and cabinets are notorious for explosions
when hydrogen created by electrolysis and mixed with oxygen is ignited
by a spark.
The proliferation of back up batteries at communications
sites has spread the hazard from the private concern of the battery's users
to the public at large. Battery cabinets, vaults, and rooms are now scattered
like time bombs all around the world, many where explosion could injure
or kill unaware bystanders. The danger is not imagined. Many vaults have
exploded and recently a communications shelter in Yuma, Arizona, exploded
shattering the windows of a neighboring house..."
http://www.powerquality.com/art0060/art1.htm
From the industry journal, Power Quality Journal. I made several
calls to some of the authors of these various articles and learned that
a typical cellular/PCS equipment cabinet/hut contains 16 automobile-type
batteries to back up the generator that is operated by diesel.
The cogent point in this article is in the first paragraph:
". . . Most battery owners, including some of the biggest companies
is the country, do not follow IEEE recommendations. They claim that the
full program is too expensive. That is short-term thinking and sooner or
later they will pay for it."
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/open-house.html
Fire Department Safety Officers Association - "Open House" Battery
Incident
http://www.firehouse.com/news/2000/6/14_APstate.html
Fire Knocks Out State Department Phones
http://www.wa.gov/lni/news/pr051800.htm
All telecommunications contractors must register with Labor & Industry
by June 8
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type "Powering wireless telecom basestations" in the SEARCH box.
Click on "GO."
http://www.ospmag.com/features/1999/h2_ohno.htm
H2-OhNo! Hydrogen Build-Up Can Cause Battery Cabinets to EXPLODE
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "Flirting with disaster" in SEARCH box. Click on GO.
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/osha_special_equip.htm
Electrical Safety Requirements for Special Equipment -
OSHA Regulatory Profile - Special Equipment
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/batteries-buildings.html
Lead-Acid Batteries in Buildings
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF BATTERY CHEMICALS
http://www.calicorp.com/articles/osha-articles.html
Industrial Lead-Acid Batteries Are Not Considered "Articles"
http://www.calicorp.com/epa_news_release.htm
EPA News Release - Ten Telecommunications Companies Voluntarily Disclose
and Correct Environmental Violations
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/ore/enfalert/vol3num6.html
EPA's "Audit Policy" Offers Opportunity for Telecommunications Industry
to Remedy Violations
http://www.americasnetwork.com/issues/2000supplements/20000915cc/cc20000915_finesprint.htm
Smart builders: The Fine(s) Print - EPA takes kindly to telecom
companies that catch and report their own mistakes
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION LIABILITY ISSUES - RF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
http://www.telecomclick.com
Type in "The case for testing electromagnetic radiation at the mobile
radio sites" in the SEARCH box. Click GO.
From the United Kingdom-based web site of The Institution of Electrical
Engineers. IEE represents the public, professional and educational
interest of over 140,000 electrical, electronic and manufacturing engineers
world-wide. Key activities include publishing, the organisation of conferences,
the maintenance of technical standards, interaction with government departments
and the provision of scientific and technical information services.
http://www.iee.org.uk/PAB/EMC/core.htm
IEE Guidance Document on EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and Functional
Safety
[From "Introduction and Purpose"]
"One of the problems peculiar to all electronic technologies
is electromagnetic (EM) interference. All electrical and electronic
technologies emit EM disturbances that can interfere with the correct operation
of radio-communications or other electronics. Modern electronic technologies
are in general more likely to cause such disturbances than those they replace.
All electronic technologies can also suffer from degraded
functionality (including complete failure) when exposed to EM disturbances.
Modern electronic technologies are in general more likely to be susceptible
in this way than those they replace. . .
Electronic technology is increasingly used in safety-related
applications. Consequently, errors and misoperation of electronic
devices due to inadequate EMC can result in hazardous situations with an
increased risk of harm to people's health and safety."
REAL ESTATE DEVALUATION
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/pubs/aipub125.htm
The Home Environmental Sourcebook: 50 Environmental Hazards to
Avoid When Buying, Selling, or Maintaining a Home.
Although published in 1996, it is currently out of printed. Try
to borrow a copy from your state's Appraisal Board's library. Wireless
base stations are included in the list of 50.
http://www.abanet.org/publicserv/envguide.html
1998 American Bar Association Annual Meeting - Environmental Law Activities
Session on Monday, August 3, 1998 - Stigmas, Contamination and the
Environment: Their Influence on Property Valuation for Tax Purposes.
Microwave and cellular towers are included in the list of stigmas.
Janet Newton, Executive Officer
EMR Network
P.O. Box 221, Marshfield VT 05658
Donations should be sent to: EMR Network, P.O. Box 393, Concord
MA 01742
Tel: (802) 426-3035 FAX: (802) 426-3030
Web Site: www.EMRNetwork.org
--------------91E49309FF220CE43A466AAE--
Archive provided courtesy of WaveGuide, http://www.wave-guide.org
Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.emfguru.com