5G: A Public Controversy at Brookfield Town Hall

Dear Neighbors,

There is public controversy in our town about the imminent installation of 5G telecommunication equipment in Brookfield.

I, along with a group of Brookfield residents, have raised our concerns with our Town Board of Selectmen for over a year. We have provided The Board of Selectmen with scientific findings of biological harm from wireless radiation, and the increased danger of the super fast speeds of Fifth Generation Technology (microwave frequencies of radiation). For more information, please visit https://www.americansforresponsibletech.org/scientific-studies.

At the July 2020 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, our group of Brookfield Citizens requested the town impose a minimum of a six month moratorium on the installations of 5G small cells in Brookfield. We also asked for the development of a good ordinance to protect our homes, schools and town from the placement of small cell wireless transmitters and antennas on poles too close to where we live. In response, First Selectman Dunn requested that Dr. Sullivan of our Brookfield Health Department, review the health risks. We ask for a halt now to the installations in Brookfield, until Dr. Sullivan can review at least some of the more than 2000 peer reviewed studies (more than on tobacco) showing clear evidence of biological effects of cell phone and wireless electromagnetic radiation. Some of this research also concerns the microwave frequencies leased by the telecommunication industry for use in the 5G network, which operate from thirty to 300 Gigahertz, meaning 30 to 300 billion waves per second.

In short, this means frequencies higher on the electromagnetic spectrum, and pulsed and manipulated in many ways, which make wireless radiation more biologically damaging. Microwave exposure is known to be dangerous for humans; that is the frequency range that will be emitted by 5G cells (though not initially). Facilitating 5G communication will require a network of 800,000 small cells across the country, plus thousands of additional satellites in the atmosphere, and innumerable antennas, many on one pole, saturating our environment, 24 hours a day.

Health concerns aside, Federal laws require safety studies called ‘environmental impact studies’, on such a huge and unprecedented infrastructure. These studies have never been done in regard to 5G technology, calling the legality of the installations into question. The FCC lost a Federal Appeals Court Case based on this and other laws in August 2019. You can learn more about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) at https://ceq.doe.gov. Additionally, current research indicates that placement of a small cell unit near your home could decrease your property value: https://ehtrust.org/cell-phone-towers-lower-property-values-documentation-research/

Many people have been led to believe that the levels of radiation emitted from our cell phones and other wireless devices are safe. This radiation is called non-ionizing radiation. Scientists, whose job it is to answer important questions for mankind's welfare, have been studying the effects of this non-ionizing cell phone and wi-fi radiation, or "EMFs" (electromagnetic fields), for at least three decades. The results from independently funded studies of damaging biological effects, are established.

There is reason to believe that exposing ourselves to higher frequencies of radiation (microwaves beaming through the air) is not a good idea.

One of the biggest studies done on cell phone radiation as a possible carcinogen, by the United States National Toxicology Program, was completed in 2018. The ten year, 25 million dollar study showed clear evidence of heart tumors and some evidence of brain (gliomas) and adrenal gland tumors. The Environmental Health Trust's comments on the results is worth a look. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/. The science also shows damage to DNA, to human sperm, and effects of chronic disorders such as insomnia, heart arrhythmia, ADHD, anxiety and more; the list is long. Again look at the link to the science.

Easton is the first town in CT to pass a resolution for a moratorium. There are similar actions taking place around the country and also in Europe, where negative effects of 5G are already being felt.

https://www.wtnh.com/news/technology/easton-bans-5g-technology-rollout-citing-lack-of-research-testing/?fbclid=IwAR2Ri1Yvn3qQW8Aj-ke7AlCufRwNAs77j6V2CuWdoaBlNvgBByxi4Mpzj3Q

We are aware that one homeowner in Danbury already received a letter from AT&T to inform him that a 5G transmitter would be placed on the utility pole on his front lawn. This decision, made by a state agency, is very difficult for an individual to fight. We need to do what we can to protect our town before that happens here. If you have a utility pole in front of your house, you should be aware that contractors working on behalf of the telecom industry, may designate the pole as a site for a 5G small cell transmitter. You may want to attend the next town meeting and let our town government know you do not want a cellular devices near your home.

5G cells and antennas are already installed in many CT towns and cities including Stamford, Ridgefield, Fairfield, etc., and will surely be arriving in our town soon. Time is of the essence.

Please find out more about this by attending the next town Board meeting on Zoom, to weigh in with your opinion as to whether we should allow this equipment to be placed so close to homes and schools (the dangers are greatest for children because of their size, softer skulls and developing bodies).

The zoom link and agenda should be posted ON THE TOWN WEBPAGE, THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE AUGUST 3 MEETING: BROOKFIELD BOARD OF SELECTMEN (the meeting is on MONDAY, August 3, at 7PM) at http://brookfieldct.gov

Your neighbor,

Joan Polzin