Cell Phone Antennas & Radio Frequency Exposure
Posted on Tue, Mar 15, 2011
Cell antennas are everywhere
In 1996 there were less than 26,000 antennas in the US. Today there are over 600,000 and that number is climbing rapidly. Also, with a move from 3G to 4G networks, the strength of antennas are getting more powerful to push more data and information. 
We’re not talking about large antennas such as the picture to the right. And we’re not talking about antennas on tall buildings. We’re talking about antennas on short buildings which may only be 1-2 stories high. Some are cleverly camouflaged so they blend into the building. These are called Stealth Antennas. Can you find the antennas on the brown building below? There are 4 of them. Click here to see where they are as well as other examples of stealth antennas. 
Building owners get requests from cell phone service providers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc. to lease space on their buildings for the service provider antennas. It seems like an attractive offer to the building owner. They’ll receive thousands of dollars a month for hosting the antennas and the contracts are usually over the period of 3-5 years. Since the antennas must meet FCC regulations, it must be safe. Right? Not necessarily so.
Radio frequency (RF) emissions can extend from over 2 ft. to over 20 ft or more in front of the antenna, depending on the power. Each antenna is unique and therefore the emissions radiated can vary widely. RF emissions are odorless, tasteless and invisible. The red zone in the picture to the left indicates the area where protective gear or power down procedures should be followed. The yellow zone is where people should be RF trained on how to control exposures.
What happens when a person is over-exposed to radio frequency emissions?
Scientific research has been used to support the causal link between radio frequency exposure and cognitive injuries. These injuries include reduced brain function, light sensitivity, headaches, dizziness and nausea, memory loss and insomnia among others. RF exposure can exceed human exposure limits in as little as 9-12 minutes if the antenna is of the powerful type. Again, it depends on the power of the antenna, how close the person gets to it, the location where the person is in relation to the antenna and the repetition of exposure.
Building owners
If you own a building and lease space to a cell phone service provider, you should notify any third parties working on your building of the presence of antennas and the risk from exposure to the antennas. Third party workers could include roofers, contractors, electricians, HVAC specialists, building maintenance staff, fire fighters and anyone who conducts work on your building. You may be liable for exposing workers to RF radiation. Legal precedent was established in a case in Alaska in July 2007 where a worker exposed to RF radiation was awarded 100% disability.
Third parties working on buildings
Whether your job involves repairing, inspecting or cleaning buildings, you should be aware of antennas on that building and their potential risk. Since some are well hidden, be sure to ask the property owner if they lease space for a cell tower.
What can be done?
There are some questions that building owners and third parties can ask. Can the cell provider power down the antenna? Can the work be done at a time when the power is down or at least reduced?
This information was courtesy of Central Insurance.