{"id":14756,"date":"2019-03-07T01:17:52","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T08:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=14756"},"modified":"2019-03-07T01:27:22","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T08:27:22","slug":"residents-raise-health-concerns-after-cell-tower-announced-in-crescent-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=14756","title":{"rendered":"Residents raise health concerns after cell tower announced in Crescent Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"<header>\n<p class=\"lead\">Carl Katz says he has a moderate sensitivity to electromagnetic fields<\/p>\n<ul class=\"author-meta\">\n<li><a class=\"byline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.surreynowleader.com\/author\/aaron-hinks\/\" rel=\"author\">AARON HINKS<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Mar. 5, 2019 3:10 p.m.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div class=\"post-attachment\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; display: block;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/carlcresentbeach.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14753\" src=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/carlcresentbeach-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"609\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/carlcresentbeach-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/carlcresentbeach-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/carlcresentbeach-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/carlcresentbeach.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Carl Katz demonstrates a device that can detect electromagnetic fields at Crescent Beach. (Aaron Hinks photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-2\" class=\"gpt-ad\" data-google-query-id=\"CJeW5v_K7-ACFRUprQYdOYsJKw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1036919\/adunit2_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>When a government or developer announces plans for an infrastructure project, a point of contention for neighbours, quite often, relates to heights, floor area or aesthetics.<\/p>\n<p>But two South Surrey residents opposed to a planned cell tower in Crescent Beach don\u2019t have a problem with how the structure will look, they\u2019re taking issue with what the tower will emit.<\/p>\n<p>Pixie Hobby and Carl Katz say the electromagnetic energy they anticipate to be emitted from the cell tower, proposed near 12189 Beecher St., not only harms wildlife, but can have an impact on human health.<\/p>\n<p>Katz, who says he has a \u201cmoderate\u201d sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, said the proposed tower should be relocated away from businesses, homes, and the beach.<\/p>\n<p>Standing at the location of the proposed cell tower, Katz read a list of symptoms to <em>Peace Arch News<\/em> Wednesday that people could experience if they have a hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields.<\/p>\n<p>These symptoms included a ringing in the ears, sleep disturbances, blurred vision, dizziness, memory loss, brain fog, chemical sensitive, depression, anxiety and heart arrhythmia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are people out there that are debilitated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Katz, who works in information technology, said he\u2019s taken steps in his lifestyle to build resilience against electromagnetic fields.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy phone, interestingly, does not bug me at all. What bugs me is wifi and cordless phones and cell towers,\u201d Katz told <em>PAN<\/em>. \u201cI have wifi at home and it\u2019s off most of the time. When I need it, or when my partner needs it, we turn it on. But I don\u2019t have any cordless phones or anything like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Katz explained that cellphones intermittently connect to cell towers, which reduces the electromagnetic energy, but \u201cwhen you\u2019re on a call, yes, it\u2019s constant.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Katz said he also doesn\u2019t own a microwave.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re actually thinking of buying one,\u201d Katz said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t!\u201d Hobby interjected.<\/p>\n<p>Hobby, an environmental lawyer, said electromagnetic fields interfere with birds and pollinators, such as honeybees.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt affects migratory birds because they get disoriented and they don\u2019t know which way is north when they come near these towers. Right here, you\u2019re only a few hundred feet away from the pacific flyway. We\u2019re on the pacific flyway for migratory birds for all of North America,\u201d she said, while standing at Crescent Beach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we start interfering with birds here, we\u2019re going to find no more song birds and populations of birds are just going to disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson from Freedom Mobile, the company proposing the tower, referred <em>PAN<\/em> to documents provided to people neighbouring the project.<\/p>\n<p>The information package says the company is proposing the cell tower to improve coverage and network quality in the area.<\/p>\n<p>The plan is to replace an existing 9.1-metre City of Surrey streetlight pole with a 14.9-metre streetlight telecommunication pole.<\/p>\n<p>The document says Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada manages communications spectrum in the country and requires cellular telecommunications facilities to comply within the guidelines set by Health Canada to protect those who live or work near the facilities.<\/p>\n<p>The document says Health Canada\u2019s safety code is among the most stringent in the world.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll Freedom facilities adhere to and are generally well within these standards,\u201d the information package states, adding that the cell tower will be installed and operated on an ongoing basis to comply with Health Canada\u2019s Safety Code 6.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-3\" class=\"gpt-ad horizontal\" data-google-query-id=\"CJiW5v_K7-ACFRUprQYdOYsJKw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1036919\/adunit3_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Katz said Health Canada\u2019s Safety Code 6 is based on heating of tissue, \u201cwhich is the wrong mechanism of harm. It\u2019s the body\u2019s cell membrane response that is the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><ins><strong>SEE ALSO:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacearchnews.com\/news\/wi-fi-opponent-wants-schools-to-be-hardwired\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wi-Fi opponent wants schools to be hardwired <\/a><\/ins><\/p>\n<p><ins><strong>LETTER:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacearchnews.com\/opinion\/waves-of-the-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Waves of the future<\/a><\/ins><\/p>\n<p>Katz pointed to a study from the World Health Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer that classified radio-frequency electromagnetic fields as \u201cpossibly\u201d carcinogenic to humans.<\/p>\n<p>However, according to a separate WHO document, it concluded that electromagnetic hypersensitivity is not a medical diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity) is characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms that differ from individual to individual. The symptoms are certainly real and can vary widely in their severity. Whatever its cause, EHS can be a disabling problem for the affected individual. EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to (electromagnetic field) exposure. Further, EHS is not a medical diagnosis, nor is it clear that it represents a single medical problem,\u201d the WHO document states.<\/p>\n<p>Katz alleged to<em> PAN<\/em> that the World Health Organization is a \u201ccaptured agency.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fraser Health declined to comment, but referred to the \u201cRadiofrequency Toolkit\u201d on the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website.<\/p>\n<p>The BCCDC toolkit says that electromagnetic hypersensitive individuals make up one to 10 per cent of the population.<\/p>\n<p>The document says that, in general, people who identify with having an electromagnetic hypersensitivity \u201cdo not reliably detect RF (radio frequency) when blinded to the source.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The document says that studies are limited to examining acute exposure to radio frequency.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChronic exposure to RF on persistent human health symptoms have not been studied thoroughly,\u201d the document states.<\/p>\n<p>Katz said that although he uses the technology, he\u2019s going to see if the tower can be relocated to an area away from people and the beach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love the technology,\u201d Katz said. \u201cI kind of know how to use the technology safely. I\u2019m for the technology used in a safe way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-attachment\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-full alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_Electro1-300x200@2x.jpg 600w\" alt=\"\" width=\"651\" height=\"434\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Carl Katz demonstrates a device that can detect electromagnetic fields at Crescent Beach. (Aaron Hinks photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-attachment\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-full \" src=\"https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/3xnhi43vikn244hoyg160zl4-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/15763192_web1_celltower1-300x200@2x.jpg 600w\" alt=\"\" width=\"652\" height=\"434\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Pixie Hobby and Carl Katz at Crescent Beach. (Aaron Hinks photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?page_id=8805\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-8364\" src=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/whiterock_eNode1-1024x538.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/whiterock_eNode1-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/whiterock_eNode1-300x157.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?page_id=8805\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8357 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/delta_eNode11-1024x502.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/delta_eNode11-1024x502.png 1024w, https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/delta_eNode11-300x147.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carl Katz says he has a moderate sensitivity to electromagnetic fields AARON HINKS Mar. 5, 2019 3:10 p.m. Carl Katz demonstrates a device that can detect electromagnetic fields at Crescent Beach. (Aaron Hinks photo) When a government or developer announces plans for an infrastructure project, a point of contention for neighbours, quite often, relates to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[127,17,678,325,326,46,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antenna","category-bc","category-crescent-beach","category-microcell","category-small-cells","category-surrey","category-white-rock"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14756"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14762,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14756\/revisions\/14762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}