Answers to all your questions on understanding  mobile phone base stations , phone masts , phone towers  , electromagnetic radiation and their potential related health effects.

How far do I need to be from a phone tower for it to be safe?

It is impossible to say how far is a safe distance. Every phone tower , mobile phone base station or other transmission device is different. The frequency and power associated with them is different. On top of that the signal that they transmit is very influenced by the surroundings. Therefore you may be partly or completely shielded by dense trees , other buildings etc. The only way to know exactly what level of emr ( electromagnetic radiation ) you are exposed to in a building is to have emr readings taken at your site. Levels will also fluctuate during the day as the power associated with a phone tower for example will fluctaute as more or less people are utilising that particular tower. It is therefore critical to get a proffessional to take a reading and advise you accordingly. Ecolibria is one such company that can help with readings as well as solutions.

What are the potentail health effects from emr exposure?

This is a field of much controversy and one in which everyone agrees that more research is necessary. What is important to understand is that exposure to emr ( electromagnetic radiation ) or eme ( electromagnetic energy ) dampens the immune system. This means that you will be more susceptible to any range of illnesses as your immune system is more compromised than it would normally be. Children ( particularly infants ) , the elderly and the sick will be more susceptible. It seems that the most common and obviuos symptom is bad sleep. In fact many have complained of tense and very bizarre nightmares. It is believed that this is due to the fact that the body cannot rest and reapir during sleep as it should when it is having to deal with electrcicity in the air all night. Bad sleep , headaches , chronic fatigue , waking up unrefershed , unexpalined tingling in limbs , short term memory loss , lack of focus and concentration and recurring colds and flu are all common symptoms that abate when the emr source is removed are shielded. In the long term no one really knows for sure but there are many studies that link emr exposure to tumours and cancer.

What are common sources of electromagnetic radiation?

Phone towers , radio transmission devices ( particularly am ) , radar , wifi , DECT cordless phones , mobile phones , wireless internet , wireless speakers and entertainment systems , wii games and some home security systems are some of the most common sources. If you are using something that is wireless then it is a potential source of emr. Remote controls that operate via infra red are much better than those that use RF ( radio frequencies ).

What can I do to minimise my exposure? 

Simply minimse your dependance on wireless technology.

Replace any cordless phones with corded phones. You will find it very hard to get a codless phone in stores. It is much cheaper and easier for telecommunication companies to have cordless phones in operation as physical lines do not need to be laid and maintained. However you can get corded phones easily over the internet as many companies supply businesses with corded phones. Request corded phones from Telstra.

Do not have wireless internet. Use ADSL or physical cable broadband if it is available in your area. In Austria they are looking at pulling wireless internet out of schools as they did not realise the emr levels were as high as they are.

If you live or work near a phone tower ( particularly if you have line of sight with a tower or live or work above ground level ) have a proffessional visit your site and take some readings. If it is necessary then sheilding can be applied to the area required.

Remember that the more we demand wireless the more it will fill the air that we live and work in our whole lives. To a large extent the people have all the power to determine the future of wireless and therefore electromagnetic radiation exposure.

Where can I study more in this field?

The Australian College of Environmental Studies offers a course in "Electricity - The Fundamentals" as well "Electrobiology". For more information please visit their website by clicking on the link provided.

Can we shield or protect oursleves against the emr?

There are many options when it comes to shielding against the emr. 

Windows are the weak point and need to be protected. This can be done by either applying film to the window which looks just like a tinting film or fabric can be installed. The fabric can be made into blinds or curtains or it can be sewn onto the back of existing curtains as a lining. Walls are protected by applying shielding paint and this can be done internally or externally. Some case studies can be viewed on this website. It is very important that the paint is correctly grounded or it may be possible to introduce a greater hazard than what existed before. It is also important that a professional Building Biologist take readings first in order to determine if sheiding is required and if so where shielding needs to be applied and to what degree it must be applied. The shielding paint is black and must be painted over with a paint that matches the rest of the room or building. Fabrics are available in some different colours but are generally white and allow some of the view through the window to be maintained.