Get On, Get Up, Get Off . . .
The effects of climbing and jumping live broadcast towers has been a concern in the BASE community for a long time. Basically there have been three types of studies on the effects of electro magnetic radiation (EMR). The ones commissioned by the broadcast and power industries yield either neutral, or favorable results while the ones commissioned by environmental groups and trial lawyers say detrimental health effects are dramatic. The third type done by Universities come back inconclusive, but usually lean toward “probably” causes some effects. Of course, these studies concentrate on people who reside under and around these radiators, but in our case this old advice still holds true, “Get on, get up, and get off” as quickly as possible.
I personally believe we all possess a “cancer switch” within our bodies. Flip that switch and cancer cells will begin to form. It’s just nobody knows what flips the switch in the first place, and it’s possible it’s not the same thing in all people. As BASE jumpers we already know to stay off AM broadcast towers, but even jumping the other kinds, you should be making informed decisions.
Nick
BASE 194
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~2289078,00.html
Article Published: Friday, July 23, 2004
Cancer rate up near towers on Lookout Mtn.
A study finds increased incidences of certain malignancies among residents, just weeks before debate begins on adding another antenna.
By Karen Augé
Denver Post Staff Writer
Three weeks before public debate reignites over whether to add another tower to Lookout Mountain, a state study has found higher cancer rates around the mountain's existing broadcast towers - but no conclusive evidence the towers caused the cancers.
Deb Carney, attorney for Canyon Area Residents for the Environment, which opposes construction of the proposed tower, said the findings left her "very concerned."
In a report that echoed findings of a 1999 study, a statewide panel of researchers found that people who live near the towers have a higher rate of brain and central nervous system cancers.
"Now they've found the same things, and it's troubling," Carney said.
The research team, from Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Heath Sciences Center and the state health department, found the increase "statistically significant."
But "this type of study cannot produce conclusive evidence about the cause of cancers," the researchers wrote.
One reason, they said, is that there just isn't enough knowledge about the effects of long-term exposure to the kind of radiation the towers shoot into the atmosphere.
Numerous health organizations, including the World Health Organization, have called for better understanding of how such radiation affects health.
Still, Carney said, the findings bolster her clients' arguments against the tower.
"It's not wise to increase the radiation under these circumstances," she said.
Carney represents an umbrella group that includes several neighborhoods around Lookout Mountain.
On Aug. 12, Jefferson County commissioners are scheduled to reopen the long debate over whether the Lake Cedar Group should be allowed to build one large broadcast tower that would replace some of its current towers. Lake Cedar Group is a consortium of several of Denver's major television stations, including KCNC-Channel 4; KMGH-Channel 7; and KUSA-Channel 9.
The commissioners approved the tower once, but the city of Golden and CARE challenged the decision in court.
As a result of that suit, commissioners have been ordered to revisit the topic and conduct additional hearings.
When commissioners approved the new tower, about a year ago, they said it would decrease overall radiation and reduce the visual impact of the towers. Lookout Mountain, south of Golden, began sprouting a garden of broadcast towers in the mid-1950s.
Staff writer Karen Auge can be reached at 303-820-1733 or kauge@denverpost.com .
