Statement by William Collinge to the Eugene City Council, 10/13/14 <br />My name is William Collinge. I live in South Eugene, Ward 2, and I'm here to <br />oppose the idea of an 8-story cell tower there. I have a masters in public health and <br />PhD from UC Berkeley, I work as a scientific reviewer for the National Institutes <br />of Health, and I direct research sponsored by NIH, including the National Cancer <br />Institute. I'm familiar with the scientific literature on public health effects of <br />exposure to EMF radiation for children, the elderly and families. <br />It's well known that in advanced countries with longer history of cell tower <br />networks, the science on adverse effects is NOT considered controversial. Policy <br />is guided by SCIENCE rather than money, and governments permit only a TINY <br />FRACTION of the EMF exposure allowed in the US. <br />I refer you to the report produced by a team of Eugene physicians led by Dr. Paul <br />Dart, presented to EWEB last year during deliberations on whether to use EMF- <br />based "smart meters" in homes. They assembled this 74-page document entitled <br />"Biological and Health Effects of Microwave Radio Frequency Transmissions: A <br />Review of the Research Literature," for the staff and directors of EWEB. The slide <br />presentation to EWEB is available online (Google EWEB Paul Dart). <br />The Commissioners voted unanimously to take an "opt-in" approach where <br />customers could CHOOSE whether to accept such EMF exposure or keep their <br />existing meter. <br />Dr. Dart is at a scientific meeting in Paris and unable to be here tonight, but I offer <br />the council a copy of the EWEB report. <br />EWEB was RIGHT to give citizens a CHOICE about such exposure. Yet, the level <br />of radiation coming from their "smart meters" PALES in comparison to what <br />comes out of a CELL TOWER. The proposed tower would give nearby families <br />NO CHOICE about FAR GREATER exposure to electromagnetic radiation. <br />The Lane County Commissioners were RIGHT to require a 1200 FOOT <br />SETBACK from homes and schools for new cell towers, and the city should do <br />the same. Eugene has a well-earned reputation as being environmentally <br />conscious, and preserving livability, and I believe this council has a MORAL <br />RESPONSIBILITY to protect community health over private profit. <br />William Collinge, PhD <br />3480 Kincaid Street <br />Eugene, OR 97405 <br />(541)632-3502 <br />