Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area community of Redwood City are raising concerns about the health, transparency, and property value impacts of dozens of proposed wireless facilities across the city.
Joshua Picazo reports for Redwood City Pulse.
In short:
- Residents voiced their objections during a recent meeting, citing health risks and a lack of transparency, while city officials said federal regulations limit local authority over wireless infrastructure.
- Despite city claims of limited power, some residents pointed to nearby San Mateo’s adoption of stricter rules as a model for potential action in Redwood City.
- A public records request revealed Verizon and Crown Castle have submitted 73 applications for wireless facilities since late 2023, with 13 already approved and 60 still under review.
Key quote:
"A substantial body of peer-reviewed research has found adverse health effects from exposure to the radio frequency radiation emitted by cell towers."
— Joel D. Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the University of California, Berkeley
Why this matters:
The wireless radiation emitted by cell phones and cell towers has been linked to a range of health impacts. The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with numerous experts worldwide, recommend minimizing children’s exposure because they are uniquely susceptible. Studies have found children’s developing brains are more sensitive and absorb wireless radiation more intensely than adults. Because of this, many countries and some U.S. localities prohibit cell towers near or on school grounds. However, there are no U.S. federal regulations governing the placement of cell towers near schools or homes. Existing U.S. safety limits for wireless exposure remain unchanged since 1996, and some scientists have cautioned that they do not protect public health and wildlife.
