February 09, 2009
Tower troubles for petitioners
PETER ZIMONJIC
THE CALGARY SUN
The potential health risks of cellphone towers and fluoride in the drinking water were the top environmental concerns of people who petitioned the government last year.
Worries ranged from the amount of road salt used at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Cypress Bowl venue to the disposal of fluorescent light bulbs. But the top concern, and subject of 11 petitions, was the health effects of electromagnetic radiation from cellphone towers. People say the towers were installed too close to their homes and question the science that says they pose no risk to health.
Some of the petitions are from groups and others are from individuals. Once a minister’s office receives a petition it has 120 days to respond.
In his first report, commissioner of the environment and sustainable development Scott Vaughan said 86% of responses made the 120-day deadline — down from 95% the year before. The report also said petitions received by government jumped by 24% in 2007-08 to 56.
The second biggest issue was the impact fluoride has on human health, fish stocks and the surrounding environment. Seven petitions were filed on this issue although one woman living in Waterloo was responsible for four of them.
Residents of Port Hope in Ontario filed six petitions expressing concern about radioactivity in the town. Some were concerned about the possible contamination of an elementary school while others demanded increased government testing. Four petitions were filed about the impact of the Alberta oil sands.
“Government has continually weakened what few regulations there are regarding the impacts of industry on human health and folks are getting wise,” said NDP natural resources critic Nathan Cullen. “They are using this petition process to try to get some answers”.
