THE PROBLEM

PA Act 50 is a law that was quickly passed, in a matter of days, in June 2021. This facilitates the use of small wireless facilities for 5G throughout Pennsylvania. These may be installed in residential areas along the right of way or the utility easement (where wires are to provide electricity to a home). 

Radiation emitted from small wireless facilities, technically referred to as radio frequency electromagnetic microwave radiation (RF/EMR)  can lead to serious illness: brain Impairment, neurological Injuries, early dementia, stroke, depression, heart problems, blood clotting, endocrine problems such as diabetes, infertility, and cancer. The FCC Guidelines we rely on for safety were discredited by a federal court ruling* on August 13 of 2021, just weeks after Act 50 was passed. Over 10,000 pages of scientific research studies showing harm as well as testimony from people harmed by RF/EMR were submitted to the D.C. Circuit US Court of Appeals. The Court ruled against the FCC - in part for ignoring this research and directed the FCC to reconsider their guidelines in the light of this research.

Children, people who are chronically ill, and those in their senior years are more vulnerable to the harm. Act 50 is a threat to public safety, property values, and the historic character of some towns. Insurance companies are well aware of the harm of exposure to RF/EMR emitted by cell towers and small wireless facilities. These insurers do not provide coverage for harm resulting from the radio frequency and microwave radiation emitted by cell towers and small wireless facilities. 

Pennsylvania courts are already clogged with cases of people being harmed, disabled and forced from their homes by other infrastructure with fewer, less powerful antennas. Those cases involve less radiation. The radiation produced by small wireless facilities is far greater and will make this problem much worse. In residential areas, these will be located along the streets in front of homes and apartments.  Not everyone will get sick quickly but the science presented to the US Court of Appeals shows that everyone IS affected whether they "feel" sick or not. Animals, including pets are harmed as well. Insects are also harmed, such as bees and butterflies. This is why insurers refuse to cover the harm from this. 

*Environmental Health Trust, et al v. FCC