Colorado health report: No conclusive link between Lookout Mountain RF and ill health
Aug 2, 2004 12:00 PM
No conclusive evidence exists linking adverse health effects of Lookout Mountain residents with high-powered broadcast antennas and transmitter towers located west of Denver, according to updated findings of a report from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
A new report says that there are no links between RF and health effects on Lookout Mountain residents in Denver. However, the report confirms that there is a persistent elevation of brain/central nervous system tumors in the areas closest to the antenna farm |
The report, released July 22, is sure to fuel the fire in the debate between opponents of a new DTV antenna tower to be shared by members of the Lake Cedar Group consortium, including Denver TV stations KCNC-TV, KMGH-TV, KUSA-TV and KTVD-TV.
"This study, a statistical review of specific disease rates, cannot produce conclusive information about any link with adverse health events among residents of Lookout Mountain although the update does confirm a persistent elevation of brain/central nervous system tumors in the areas closest to the antenna farm," said Colorado chief medical officer Dr. Ned Calonge.
According to Calonge, there were dissimilar patterns of tumor occurrences in two areas where the elevations were detected, with elevations attributable to benign tumors diagnosed in females in one area and malignant tumors diagnosed in males in the other area. These dissimilarities, Calonge said, make it even more difficult to link them to causative factors.
During the 23-year period covered by the studies, the overall cancer rate for the Lookout Mountain area totaled 882 diagnosed cases when a total of 968 would have been expected.
County commissioners in Jefferson County are scheduled Aug. 12 to once again take up the matter of allowing the Lake Cedar Group to erect a single DTV tower to replace existing towers on Lookout Mountain.
Last year, the commission approved the group’s plan, but opponents in Golden, CO, succeed in a court effort to stay the decision until more information about the potential harmful effects of RF radiation in the area could be acquired.
Visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to read the report.
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