Cell phones and the internet play a vital role in everyday life. In actual fact, they have become the baseline of our everyday lives. From 12-year-olds to 82-year-olds, from businessmen to pensioners and from car guards to doctors, virtually everyone has a cell phone and/or a Wi-Fi connection.
Telecommunication companies placing cell phone and Internet towers strategically in and around town. Ensuring people always remain connected.
But what impact do these towers have on people, some of which are in residential areas? I mean there is so much misguided and incorrect information floating around the web about the effects. So The Newcastillian went digging, this is what we found:
“My concern is, are the towers having a negative effect on residents’ general health? Also, does having a tower in your home’s direct vicinity have an impact on the property value,” asks one concerned Newcastillian.
Jacques Oosthuysen of troubleunplugged.com explains the negative implications of the towers are not as bad as many imagine or as the internet would have us believe.
“The cell phone and internet towers run at a certain frequency. If these frequencies are set higher than 40 GHZ, then it can cause problems to general health. But they are nowhere near that,” he explains.
As an agent for a popular internet franchise in Newcastle, Jacques says cell phone and internet agencies are regulated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). This committee ensures that the frequency levels are not exceeded.
“If people are exposed to high frequencies, it can cause cancer as it is very similar to microwaves,” Jacques adds.
However, he admits there are people who more susceptible to radio waves than others. “But I cannot see the authorities allowing something that will have a negative impact on us. Cell phones have a frequency of 1.8GHz and we hold that against our head.”
Furthermore, studies have been conducted to prove radiofrequencies are not as bad as some imagine. One such study comes from the American Cancer Society.
The society states the energy level of radiofrequency waves is relatively low. In fact, the society claims the energy given off of cell phone towers is not enough to break the chemical bonds in DNA molecules. Unlike stronger forms of radiation which may lead to cancer.
The society also claims if radiofrequency can affect cells in the body at higher doses, we still don’t need to worry. The level of the radiofrequency waves at ground level is lower than the recommended limits.
What about property value? Do these towers impact the prices of property in a negative or positive way?
Estate agent for Seeff Property Group, Judy Hsiao says to her knowledge there is no impact on property value. “However, some people just don’t like their home too close to a cell phone or internet tower,” she adds.
We as a planet are without question in a new world, which to be honest is not so new anymore. We have been living with the internet, cell phones and their infrastructure for decades now, of which, without them life as we know it would cease to exist.
According to science and accredited institutes, we are safe from these towers. Sadly the internet does have a negative aspect to it and that is, of course, the plethora of nonsense it houses.
What are your thoughts of internet and cell phone towers in residential areas? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Comments 1
I was always under the impression that house owners had to be asked if a company could erect cell phone towers, like a survey. So I was very surprised to see one going up in Amiel Park. Guess I was misinformed.