A North Side resident has raised health concerns over a planning application from TV and internet company Logic for a new 130-foot 5G communications tower.
The individual said they are worried it may increase the risk of cancer and other conditions for those living nearby, and have asked the Central Planning Authority to refuse the proposal.
But Logic has refuted those suggestions, and said there is no evidence that the equipment they plan to use poses any risk to the public.
If approved, the $150,000 tower, generator and battery enclosure will be located on an agricultural/residential-zoned vacant plot on Hutland Road.
In a letter of objection, the resident said they live 500 feet from the proposed site and their worries stem from “evidence I gathered from various sources of research”.
They cited the US Department of Health and Human Services which, they wrote, outlines health risks posed by the installation of a communications tower.
A 2022 study details those risks as radio-frequency sickness, cancer and biochemistry changes, the objector said in the plans in the agenda for the authority’s 11 Oct. meeting.
They added that, according to the Cayman Islands Cancer Registry, the age-standardised incidence rate of cancer has increased by about 20% since 2002.
They encouraged the planning authority to partner with the Health Services Authority, Cayman Islands Cancer Society, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Planning to investigate.
The partnership should study the impact of radio towers, such as the proposed Logic monopole, on the health and wellbeing of the Cayman Islands community, the objector said.
‘Misconstrued’
Logic, in a 15-page written response, said there is no evidence that the proposed equipment causes radio-frequency sickness, cancer and changes in biochemical parameters.
It went on to say that the sources “purportedly supporting [the objector] have been misconstrued”.
“Without knowledge of the equipment [the objector] cannot assert that the devices proposed to be used by Logic will be harmful,” the company said.
“Moreover, the scientist cited by [the objector] has provided literature reviews and has not conducted primary research or findings to support his assertions.”
It explained that wireless telecoms operate using radio waves at different frequencies, and the 5G network will initially use similar frequencies as the current phone networks for 3G and 4G.
In the future, 5G will use a higher frequency, but that does not “mean higher exposure levels”, Logic said.
Very high levels of exposure to radio waves can heat biological tissue and cause damage – but the planned tower will not produce these effects, the company wrote.
“The equipment to be used has passed international standards in Europe, and is an established manufacturer, producing equipment for telecoms companies globally.
“The exposure to radio waves routinely encountered by the general public in the environment is too low to produce significant heating or increased body temperature.”
It added that the evidence for harmful biological effects is “ambiguous and unsubstantiated” for such low-level exposure.
“Although there have been studies reporting biological effects at these levels, there has been no indication that such efforts might constitute a human health hazard,” Logic said.
Other issues
The objector also submitted concerns about the tower’s effect on local wildlife, such as endangering whistling ducks that live in the nearby Malportas Pond.
“Studies have been shown that the installation of an antenna tower disturbs natural wildlife such as birds which crash into towers mid-air,” they said.
In addition, the Department of Environment in its written review said the site is made up mostly of seasonally flooded mangroves and mangrove wetlands.
It recommended that, if approved, as much natural vegetation as possible be retained when erecting the tower.
The Department of Planning suggested that Central Planning Authority discuss zoning and the height of the tower during the meeting.
It said the subject site is situated over a water lens – but the Water Authority has not raised any concerns.
The Department of Agriculture said the site is suitable for crop farming but expressed no concerns about the tower hindering that.
The law says the maximum height of a structure in an agricultural/residential zone is 25 foot, but a regulation says radio antenna towers are omitted.
The planning authority will make a decision on the application following the 11 Oct. meeting, which will be published in the minutes about three weeks later.
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