ORIGINAL COMMENT · UNEDITED TEXT
My wife and I purchased our home last year, only to discover that a large cellular tower is located directly at the corner of our backyard, towering over our home and standing less than 30 yards from our back door. Power lines also extend over our driveway, raising additional concerns about the proximity of electrical infrastructure to our living space.
My wife and our two-year-old daughter spend a significant amount of time at home, as we have chosen not to use daycare. As a husband and father, I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that our home is a safe environment for my family.
Since moving in, my family has experienced recurring health concerns, including multiple episodes of fever and coughing for which medical testing has not provided clear explanations. My wife has also experienced low energy and difficulty keeping up with normal daily activities. I recognize that these symptoms can have many causes, and I am not claiming that the nearby tower has been proven responsible. However, given its extremely close proximity to our home, I believe it is reasonable to ask whether our environment has been adequately evaluated.
We have taken the initiative to have our home tested for mold, electromagnetic fields (EMF), and radiofrequency (RF) exposure. While EMF readings were relatively low in most areas, they increased in our bonus room near the driveway side of the house. The RF results showed yellow-to-red readings throughout much of our home. I understand that these colors may represent the testing equipment's measurement ranges rather than established health-risk categories. Nevertheless, these results have raised serious questions about our actual exposure levels and how they compare with applicable safety standards.
I respectfully request that the appropriate agencies conduct or facilitate an independent assessment of this tower and its proximity to nearby homes. Specifically, I ask that officials:
Arrange professional EMF/RF testing at our property and other nearby residences, including bedrooms, living spaces, and outdoor areas, with documented measurements and comparisons to applicable exposure limits.
Review current federal and state safety standards and explain how compliance is determined for towers located exceptionally close to occupied homes.
Evaluate whether the tower's placement, less than 30 yards from our home, warrants additional assessment, safeguards, or corrective action.
Consult qualified public health and environmental professionals to review residents' concerns, explain the available scientific evidence, and identify whether further investigation or monitoring is warranted.
Consider evidence-based minimum setback requirements between cellular towers and occupied residences, schools, childcare facilities, and other locations where people spend extended periods.
Make testing results, compliance records, and recommended actions available to the public, with a clear process for follow-up testing and remediation if concerns are identified.
My concern is not simply that a tower is visible from our backyard. It is that significant telecommunications infrastructure is positioned extremely close to our home, and we lack the information necessary to feel confident that the potential exposure has been independently evaluated and that the placement is appropriate for a residential setting.
This situation has also created financial and emotional stress for our family. We purchased our home expecting a safe environment in which to raise our daughter. Since then, we have invested time, money, and energy into environmental testing and trying to understand whether the conditions surrounding our property could be relevant to our family's health concerns.
I appreciate the due diligence currently taking place and the opportunity to share these concerns through this survey. However, I sincerely hope this process does not end with collecting public feedback. Families deserve clear answers, independent assessments, and meaningful action if problems are identified.
As a husband and father, my greatest concern is the health, safety, and future of my family. I hope our experience contributes to a broader discussion about responsible tower placement, residential safety, public accountability, and whether current policies adequately protect communities living exceptionally close to cellular infrastructure.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I pray these concerns will not be swept under the rug once the survey concludes, but will lead to a thorough investigation, transparent findings, and meaningful action where warranted.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen
Heath Grishaw
United States