Res. No. 584
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.4374, which would prohibit cellular towers or related equipment within five hundred feet of a school building in New York City.
By Council Members Vallone Jr., Gentile, James, Lappin, Mealy, Rose, Vacca, Williams, Greenfield, Rodriguez, Oddo and Ulrich
Whereas, Cell phone towers consist of electronic equipment and antennas that receive and transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals; and
Whereas, According to the United States Federal Communications Commission, the regulatory body with oversight over communications equipment, the amount of RF energy that an individual may be exposed to from cell towers is thousands of times less than the safe level for exposure; and
Whereas, Yet, many individuals have expressed concern that the proliferation of new cell towers and exposure can result in adverse health conditions, particularly among children; and
Whereas, Many are concerned that the impact of even low-level exposure to RF energy may affect children differently than adults, given the fact that their bodies are still developing and their immune systems are not as effective; and
Whereas, There have been some studies which have suggested a link between exposure to RF radiation and adverse health events, including tumor formation, cancer and cognitive defects in children; and
Whereas, Additionally, many of the studies state that there are no health effects related to low level RF exposure, yet, these same studies also acknowledge limitations to the analyses and the need for further research; and
Whereas, Due to this, parents have resisted the proliferation of cell phone towers, particularly in close proximity to schools and other areas where children gather; and
Whereas, Recent examples throughout New York City, include parent protest of cell towers near schools in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Astoria, Queens and Huguenot, Staten Island; and
Whereas, Parents have formed coalitions, including Families for Appropriate Cell Towers Siting, to attempt to persuade individual cell phone companies to choose alternative locations; and
Whereas, Yet, the cell phone companies are still entering into agreements with private landowners to place the cell towers on their properties, and members of the communities do not have any way to restrict the siting of cell towers near the schools; and
Whereas, Assembly Member Hyer-Spencer introduced A.4374, which would regulate the placement of cellular towers or antennas near school facilities in New York City; and
Whereas, This legislation would bar the placement of cellular towers or support structures (including antennas, transmitting, receiving and combining equipment, equipment shelters, transmission cables, and back-up power sources) within five hundred feet of a school building; and
Whereas, According to the legislation's sponsors, given the ongoing controversy over whether cellular towers pose health hazards, due to exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, this legislation strives to protect children; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.4374, which would prohibit cellular towers or related equipment within five hundred feet of a school building in New York City.
JM
LS # 1612
11/5/10