www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 7, 2012 · 8 Residents urged to keep pursuing their concerns Continued from page 7 Brazil in 2011, which showed people who lived near cell towers experienced a higher rate of mortality from cancer than those who lived more than 500 metres away from cell towers. In addition to cancer, Havas said, the study found those who lived within 300-400 metres of a cell tower experienced insomnia, headaches, difficulty concentrating, discomfort, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and/or chronic pain in the joints and other areas. Another study Havas discussed, was conducted in 1984 by the U.S. air force and looked at cancer growth in laboratory animals following their long-term exposure to low-level microwave radiation. "When I use the term `low-level exposure', I am referring to levels that are below our federal guidelines," said Havas. "These are levels that Canada allows all of us to be exposed to." The study involved exposing rats to 2,450 megahertz (MHz) of pulsed microwave radiation for 25 months and resulted in the rats experiencing a 16 per cent increase in benign tumours, a 100 per cent increase in metastasis tumours, and a 260 per cent increase in primary tumours. Havas said residents are already bombarded by electromagnetic radiation coming from things like cordless phones, baby monitors and wireless routers and don't need the additional source of a cell tower. The firefighters whose station is NOW OR NEVER Purchase a Carrier Hi Efficiency Furnace and Receive a DON'T MISS OUT! LIMITED TIME OFFER! FREE CARRIER High Efficiency CENTRAL AIR absolutely free! er Carri Free ficiency Ef High ral Air e C nt (Installation Extra) OVER 120,000 UP TO $650 IN HYDRO REBATE Reserve now and you will receive a central air This is a great opportunity to replace your old SATISFIED CUSTOMERS inefficient furnace and air conditioner with hi-efficiency and greatly reduce your utility bill. 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Veronica Ciandre strongly disagrees with those who say cell phone towers are harmless. Ciandre spoke during the meeting about her experience after a cell tower was built just above her topfloor apartment in Toronto in 2010. "Two weeks later my ears started to buzz, really high pitched, particularly at night, when I was lying in my bed," said Ciandre. "Over the next two months, I started to lose my memory, have headaches that lasted two weeks when I didn't have headaches at all before, nausea and dizzy spells." Ciandre really became suspicious of the cell tower when her daughter also began experiencing many of these symptoms. "I spoke to every government agency I could think of including "When I use the term `low-level exposure', I am referring to levels that are below our federal guidelines. These are levels that Canada allows all of us to be exposed to." Dr. Magda Havas, associate professor, Trent University Health Canada and including Industry Canada and every single one of them told me cell towers are safe," said Ciandre. "By then I had stopped believing them." Ciandre and her daughter eventually moved out of their apartment, but said it took her nearly two years to recover from the experience. While Ciandre said she has read articles making light of people who have had similar experiences, she said she knows what she felt, and warned residents not to ignore similar feelings if and when the Bell antennas are activated. While many were at the meeting to voice concerns about the cell tower, opposing points of view also emerged. One man, who described himself as an anonymous activist, stated coffee was also a class 2B carcinogen. Once presentations were over, those at the meeting discussed next steps, which included petitioning Oakville councillors to re-examine the issue and signing Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn's petition to ask the federal government to place a moratorium on the installation of cellular transmission equipment on cell towers in residential neighbourhoods until a safe separation distance is established. It was also pointed out Oakville MP Terence Young and local councillors will be meeting with Bell's vice-president of regulatory affairs to discuss the Bronte Road/Rebecca Street cell tower issue. Residents will also be holding a protest in front of the Bronte Road/Rebecca Street cell tower today (Wednesday) at 3:15 p.m. In the event the residents are not successful in stopping the activation of the cell antennas, Havas suggested residents participate in a `beforeand-after' study. In this study, various residents would provide blood and various other samples before the cell antenna activation with their health being monitored for years to come. Such a study would not only be scientifically useful, Havas said, but could be used in legal proceedings in the event health problems did arise. A local doctor has already volunteered his services for such a study. For more information, visit www. mybronte.ca. Those interested in signing Flynn's petition can do so at his community office at 2330 Lakeshore Rd., W., or online at www.kevinflynn. o n m p p . c a / F l y n n _ BronteRoadCellTower.pdf. www.oakville.ca Nominate a Community Champion Today! 11 TH A N N U A L We're looking for Oakville's shining stars, who through their volunteer efforts alone are putting us one step closer to achieving our vision of becoming the most livable town in Canada. We all have family, friends and colleagues who spend countless hours volunteering and supporting the many facets of our diverse community. What better way to acknowledge their contribution than to nominate them for an Oakville Community Spirit Award? Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: · Access Award, sponsored by MEDIchair Halton · Arts Award, sponsored by The Oakville Beaver · Environmental Award, sponsored by Tim Hortons · · · · · www.facebook.com/ townofoakville @townofoakville Group Volunteer Award, sponsored by Sun Life Financial Heritage and History Award, sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada Individual Volunteer Award, sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant Senior Award, sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living Youth Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank Nomination forms are available for pick-up at all town facilities and Capacity restrictions apply to all skates. libraries or online at www.oakville.ca Nomination deadline is Friday, April 13, 2012 at 4 p.m. For more information call 905-845-6601, ext. 3976 or email csa@oakville.ca Award recipients will receive an original art piece created specifically for the Community Spirit Awards by a Sheridan college student. Join a Town of Oakville committee and make a difference Oakville Town Council invites and encourages you to apply to serve on a Town Committee to help make Oakville the most livable town in Canada. Currently, there are vacancies on the following advisory committees: · Accessibility Advisory Committee (3 positions available) · Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee (2 positions available) Further details, committee descriptions and application forms are available at www.oakville.ca/townhall/boards-committees.html or from the Clerk's Department at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 9, 2012. For more information about the appointment procedure, please contact the Clerk's department at 905-815-6015 or townclerk@oakville.ca. Volunteer You can make a difference!