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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0986.001 2018-2020 P1 Pb SUBMITTED BY: Douglass Shipman Adams, Chair Hawaii County Charter Commission Vibrant Hawaii Testimony for Resolution 678 20 A RESOLUTION CALLING UPON ALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES OPERATING IN HAWAII COUNTY TO CEASE THE BUILDOUT OF 5G WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE UNTIL SUCH TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BEEN PROVEN THROUGH INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND TESTING TO BE SAFE TO HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. Vibrant Hawaii believes in our collective 'auamo kuleana to increase equitable opportunities for our community residents. In doing so, we are committed to supporting equal access to education and information. The COVID19 pandemic has shown us how extremely vulnerable several members of our Island as it relates to basic services of education and health. Within weeks, schools switched to online and distance based education while non emergency health services slowly shifted to TELEHealth services. Unfortunately, successful participation in technology enhanced education and health services clearly, illuminated our Island's digital divide. The digital divide results from lack of technology infrastructure, devices and applications. Although we have been quick to adapt new applications like ZOOM and many new laptops and computer devices have been distributed, without access to WIFI and broadband internet services, we will continue to widen the educational achievement gap and the health disparities from our different communities. Not everybody owns a computer with a wired connection, especially those living with limited resources. Increasingly, people are forgoing the landline. But most everybody has a smart mobile phone, including the "working poop'. Being able to partake in the cellular network is essential in keeping all people connected to this vital means of communication. This bill, if passed, may further exacerbate our digital divide. The bill offers limited source to support the delay when other reputable literature and studies are grounded by research to respond to these concerns. They include the following links below, in addition to the FCC website, https://www,fcc.gov/5g-fags. hftps://slate.com/technoloay/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl 9-5cl-conspiracy-theou.html, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/l2/5g-safe-radiation-watchdo -hq ealth, hftps://www.icnirp.org/en/activities/­news/news-article/covid-1 9.html, https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51839681, x.. https://youtu.be/d7uLTL2CQXQ, https://youtu.be/JiEwOAs2Kto 4-. —=Rli r V Q W Comm. No. Ref. To: PIK Ref. Date JUL - 7 2020 7/7/2020 ICNIRP Cail Key Visual COVID-19 and RF EMF Apr 2020 It has been claimed that exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by :�C devices can both cause COVID-19 and increase its severity. These claims are not supported by any evidence(not even extremely weak evidence), and the large body of scientific knowledge regarding the EMFs relevant to 5G demonstrates that those claims are not feasible. EMF exposure from 5G devices does not cause COVID-19, nor does it have any effect on the disease process or health outcomes of those who are infected by the new corona virus (SARS-CoV 2) that causes COVID-19. As described by the Wr TQ. you need to physically come into contact with the corona virus to become infected by it, and as the EMFs from 5G cannot carry viruses, they cannot bring you into contact with the virus. Tools & Topics Follow us I Support ICNIRPFAQ re certificatesUV Index Sitemap FrequeneiesStatic Magnetic Fields (0 Hz)Static Electric Fields (0 Hz)LF Q Hz-100 kHz RF EMF (100 kHz - 300 GHz) n a d (780 rim-lmm)Visible (380-780 )LT—V (100-400 nm), ApplicationsMRIPower LinesMobile PhonesBase Stations5GWI-FIDECTInfrared Warming CabinsSunbedsUV IndexLED PublicationsPublications WorkshopsFuture WorkshopsPast Workshops About ICNIRPAim, Status &HistoryStructure&Membership> Commission> Scientific Expert Group PrQje t Groups>Former Members> Emeritus MembersFunding A.Governance> Support ICNIRP ActivitiesNewsWork PlanAnnual ReportsPublic ConsultationCollaboration ContactContact & Directions Scientific SecretariatNewsletter Legal TermsImpressumlLegal TermsPrivacy PolicyCopyn is jQmP—tQ-IQP https://www.icnirp.org/en/activities/news/news-article/covid-19.html 2/2 7/7/2020 5G confirmed safe by radiation watchdog I Technology I The Guardian The r x 9' � h � Gda.rdian � .k! s I a` I A r / w f A♦AA A Arl \� -P This article is more than 3 months old 5G confirmed safe by radiation watchdog No scientific evidence that technology poses threat to human health,say experts Alex Hern Technology editor Thu 12 Mar 202010.07 EDT 5G is safe, according to the international body in charge of setting limits on exposure to radiation, which has updated its advisory guidelines for the first time in more than 20 years. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection(ICNIRP),the Germany- based scientific body that assesses the health risks of radio broadcasts, called for new guidelines for millimetre-wave 5G,the most high-frequency version of the telecommunications standard. But in practice, that form of 5G, which is in use in the US and will be coming to Europe, still has output levels significantly below the new maximum. Dr Eric van Rongen, the ICNIRP chair, said: "We know parts of the community are concerned about the safety of 5G and we hope the updated guidelines will help put people at ease. hftps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/12/5g-safe-radiation-watchdog-health 1/4 7/7/2020 5G confirmed safe by radiation watchdog I Technology I The Guardian "The guidelines have been developed after a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process. They provide protection against all scientifically substantiated adverse health effects due to [electromagnetic field] exposure in the 100 kHz to 300 GHz range:' The radio frequencies 5G uses in the UK are similar to those that have been used for mobile telephones since 1998,when ICNIRP published its first set of guidelines for EMF exposure. But millimetre-wave 5G, and other broadcast connections above the 6GHz band, "were not anticipated in 1998", according to Dr.Tack Rowley, the senior director for research and sustainability at GSMA, the industry body for mobile network operators. Higher frequencies interact with organic tissue differently, dissipating more energy at the surface and penetrating less,which means the new standards take measurements across a smaller cross section, and specifically pay attention to the power absorbed by, rather than simply exposed to, a body. "The most important thing is that the fundamental health risk assessment is unchanged;' Rowley said. "The limits that we had in 1998 are still protective now." In practice,both the old and new limits are unlikely to be breached in the conventional operation of a mobile phone network. Exposures from base stations hit about 1% of the maximum, Rowley said, while the testing regime for mobile phone handsets ensured that, when running at the maximum possible power, they hit about 50% of the upper limit. "In our day-to-day usage, however, it's very similar to the base stations - about 1% of the maximum:' Despite the overwhelming evidence that 5G, like earlier mobile standards, is safe for the public, a large community of sceptics fear it will cause - or already is causing-health problems, including, supposedly, coronavirus. There is no evidence to support a link between the two. America faces an epic choice ... ... in the coming year, and the results will define the country for a generation. These are perilous times. Over the last three years, much of what the Guardian holds dear has been threatened - democracy, civility, truth. The country is at a critical crossroads. Science and reason are in a battle to be heard and to try to drive public policy in the middle of a pandemic. At the same time, the US is in the midst of a historic reckoning with centuries of racial injustice - even as the White House stokes division along racial lines. Meanwhile the pandemic has exposed the painful inequities underlying American life. The coming months will determine whether they might finally be addressed. At a time like this, an independent news organisation that fights for truth and holds power to account is not just optional. It is essential. The Guardian has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Like many other news organisations, we are facing an unprecedented collapse in advertising revenues. We rely to an ever greater extent on our readers, both for the moral force to continue doing journalism at a time like this and for the financial strength to facilitate that reporting. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/l 2/5g-safe-radiation-watchdog-health 2/4 7/7/2020 ICNIRP 15G Cart Key Visual 5G Radiofrequency - RF EMF Background to mobile telecommunications technologies Mobile telecommunication technologies (e.g. mobile phones) transmit and receive radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) in defined ways that allow communication to occur. The specific method of utilising the RF EMFs is referred to as a"wireless standard". For example,the wireless standard used for the First Generation of mobile telecommunication is referred to as "1G". As technology develops, these standards are updated, and there can be a family of different wireless protocols that are collectively referred to as "1G". For example, "UMTS"is a well-known protocol within the 3G family, and"LTE"is a well-known protocol within the 4G family. However,where a particularly large or important change is introduced to the standard, the overarching label for the wireless standard is updated accordingly. For example,where large changes were made to the 1G wireless standard,the new standard was then referred to as the second generation wireless standard, or "2G". Similarly, "2G"was replaced with"3G", "3G"with"4G", and now that substantial developments are being implemented relative to 4G, a fifth generation of wireless standard has emerged that is known as "5G". Characteristics of the application and its use There are a number of differences between 5G and previous wireless standards. One of these is that, in addition to the EMF frequencies that are used for 3G and 4G standards, some 5G communication technologies utilise higher EMF frequencies (e.g. 28 GHz is currently used in the USA). EMFs at higher frequencies produce relatively superficial exposure,with less power penetrating deep into the body; the restrictions in the ICNIRP guidelines account for this to ensure that exposure does not cause any harm. Different EMF frequencies also behave differently in the environment, and as a result additional antennas are required to utilise the higher frequencies. These are not expected to affect the exposure scenario appreciably, and initial measurement studies suggest that exposure from 5G antennas will be approximately similar to that from 3G and 4G antennas. A key feature of the 5G wireless standard is that it will use beam-forming technology, which allows for the RF EMFs to be focused to the region where it is needed(e.g. to a person using a mobile phone),rather than being spread out over a large area. This will allow, for example, the same RF EMF frequencies to be sent to different users concurrently without interfering with one another, which increases communication rates because the frequency band does not need to be ,shared` between the users. This also reduces exposure in regions where communication is not needed. RF effects on the body and health implications RF EMFs have the ability to penetrate the human body,with the main effect of this being a rise in temperature in the exposed tissue. The human body can adjust to small temperature increases in the same way as it does when undertaking exercise and performing sporting activities. This is because the body can regulate its internal temperature. However, above a certain level (referred to as the threshold), RF exposure and the accompanying temperature rise can provoke serious health effects, such as heatstroke and tissue damage (burns). Another general characteristic of RF EMFs is that the higher the frequency,the lower the depth of penetration of the EMFs into the body. As 5G technologies can utilise higher EMF frequencies (>24 GHz) in addition to those currently used(<4 GHz), power from those higher frequencies will be primarily absorbed more superficially than that from previous mobile telecommunications technologies. However, although the proportion of power that is absorbed superficially(as opposed to deeper in the body) is larger for the higher frequencies, the ICNIRP https://www.icnirp.org/en/applications/5g/5g.htmi 2/4 7/7/2020 ICNIRP 15G (2020)restrictions have been set to ensure that the resultant peak spatial power will remain far lower than that required to adversely affect health. Accordingly, 5G exposures will not cause any harm providing that they adhere to the ICNIRP (2020) guidelines. Protection The ICNIRP RF EMF guidelines have taken the above considerations into account and protect against all potential adverse health effects relating to exposure to RF EMFs from 5G technologies. This includes potential differences in the effect of RF EMFs as a function of age, health status, and depth of penetration,the effect of both acute and chronic exposures, and it includes all substantiated effects regardless of mechanism. It is important to note that, in terms of the 5G exposure levels measured so far, the ICNIRP (1998) guidelines would also provide protection for 5G technologies. However, as it is difficult to predict how new technologies will develop, ICNIRP (2020)has made a number of changes to ensure that new technologies such as 5G will not be able to cause harm, regardless of our current expectations. These changes include the addition of whole body average restrictions for frequencies>6 GHz, restrictions for brief(<6 minutes) exposures for frequencies>6 GHz, and the reduction of the averaging area for frequencies>6 GHz. ICNIRP closely follows the RF EMF related scientific research and any new outcomes relevant to health will inform the evolution of the guidelines. Information & Downloads Radiofrequency RF EMF (100 kHz-300 GHz RF EMF Guidelines - 100 kHz-300 GHz (2020).FAQ, RFDifferences Guidelines 2020-1998 More ICNIRP Resources High Frequency Review (2009). Statement on EMF Guidelines (2009).EMF Guidelines (1998)Differences Guidelines 2020-1998 External Information Sources WHO information on 5G ARPANSA information on 5GBfS information on 5G News >View all M-ay 2020 UVC LAMPS and SARS-COV 2 ICNIRP cautions against use of UVC lamps to kill/inactivate the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). ARE 2020 COVID-19 and RF EMF Exposure from 5G telecommunications devices does not cause COVID-19 Apr 2020 https://www.icnirp.org/en/applications/5g/5g.htmi 3/4 76'/2020 ICNIRP 15G Special Issue 2020 Includes Guidelines and Statements on Radiation Principles, LF Knowledge Gaps, Laser Guidelines, LEDs, and NIR and Cosmetic Purposes. Tools & Topics Follow us I Support ICNIRPFAQ re certificatesUV Index Sitemap Frequencies Static Magnetic Fields (0 Hz)Static Electric Fields (0 Hz)LF (1 Hz-100 kHz)RF EMF (100 kHz - 300 GHz)Infrared(780 nm-lmm)Visible (380-780 nm)UV (100-400 nm). ApplicationsMRIPower LinesMobile PhonesBase Stations5GWI-FIDECTInfrared Warming CabinsSunbedsUV IndexLED PublicationsPublications WorkshopsFuture WorkshopsPast Workshops About ICNIRPAim, Status & HistoryStructure &Membership>Commission Scientific Expert Group> Project Groups>Former Members>Emeritus MembersFunding& Governance> Support ICNIRP ActivitiesNewsWork PlanAnnual ReportsPublic ConsultationCollaboration ContactContact & Directions Scientific SecretariatNewsletter Legal TermsImpressum/Legal TermsPrivacyPolicyCopyrights jump to top https://www,icnirp.org/en/applications/5g/5g.html 4/4 7/7/2020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. A BEAUTIFUL WORLD WHERE EVERYBODY READS EVERYTHING f uture,,zg'tense Fearing the Invisible The long history behind the 5G COVID-19 conspiracy theory. By JORDAN FRITH APRIL 07, 2020 • 7:30 AM 'y TWEET f SHARE COMMENT fah, � �d µ https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl9-5g-conspiracy-theory.htmi 1/12 7/7/2020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. r.. A Verizon store advertising 5G on Sunday.5G is not the cause of the pandemic. Cindy Ord/Getty Images POPULAR IN TECHNOLOGY We Need to Reopen Schools.Here's What It Would Take. What's the Deal With the"Free Speech"Alternative to Twitter? The Supreme Court Broadens Robocall Ban in New Ruling The Medical Case for Reopening Schools "Before every pandemic of the last 150 years,there was a quantum leap in the electrification of the Earth." That's the thesis statement of a YouTube video with the innocuous title"Dr. Thomas Cowan, M.D. Discusses the Coronavirus."The 10-minute video features a man lecturing in front of a whiteboard. It looks like any other low- budget conference video, but that thesis—that pandemics are linked to the "electrification"of the Earth—got certain people's attention.The video, which was posted March 18, has now been watched more than 660,000 times and has inspired a rather curious, rather dangerous conspiracy theory: New 5G mobile networks are causing the spread of COVID-19. https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl9-5g-conspiracy-theory.html 2/12 7/7/2020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. 5G mobile networks promise faster transmission speeds and lower latency. They've been the centerpiece of commercials from various mobile carriers, and they have become a battleground for technological dominance between the United States and China. In 2019,the Trump administration announced their plan for"winning the race"for 5G,and tech sources bemoaned that the United States had fallen behind China in 5G development.Some of the first 5G networks were activated in 2019,and that newness is how 5G somehow got linked to COVID-19 in some people's minds. But while the circumstances of this specific conspiracy are unique,the links between mobile networks and disease are a prime example of how history repeats itself.Almost every new wireless infrastructure gets linked to disease in one form or another. Before going through the history of communication infrastructures and health fears, it's first worthwhile to trace how we moved from a few random social media posts to where we are now,when the U.K.has threatened to fine broadcasters that blame 5G networks for COVID-19 and some individuals have threatened broadband engineers who work on 5G.As many sources, ranging from USA Today to Reuters,have pointed out,there are no actual links between COVID-19 and 5G networks.The conspiracy doesn't hold even a kernel of truth. But its roots are illustrative of how conspiracies spread more generally: People took two phenomena occurring at roughly similar times and made up causal links between the two. Large-scale adoption of 5G networks began in late 2019;the first identified cases of COVID-19 happened in late 2019. From there,certain groups were off to the https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl9-5g-conspiracy4heory.html 3/12 7/7/2020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. races,with one common rumor stating that Wuhan, China,was both the first place to have an identified coronavirus case and the first city to turn on wide-scale 5G networks.(The latter likely isn't true.)The conspiracy then spread,with more and more claims using simple correlation to argue that 5G was causing COVID-19. For example,one conspiracy that went semiviral compared a map of COVID-19 hot spots in the U.S.to places that had tested 5G networks.The map showed a clear overlap, but it really just showed major metropolitan areas. Regardless,the existence of 5G in places COVID- 19 had been diagnosed was enough to fan the flames. From there,the conspiracy spread.A Facebook post was shared a few thousand times.The YouTube video I mentioned earlier is getting close to 700,000 views.Voice memos and posts about the conspiracy were shared on platforms like WhatsApp and Nextdoor.The conspiracy even made it onto Woody Harrelson's Instagram. By the beginning of April,the conspiracy seemed to be everywhere. People in the U.K. have even started burning down 5G towers because of COVID-19 fears. While the 5G COVID-19 conspiracy does seem to have almost come out of nowhere, it makes a certain amount of sense when placed within the history of wireless infrastructures. In the Cowan video at the center of the conspiracy, he links pandemics to one development after another in wireless networks. His lecture starts by talking about the 1918 flu,which he argues was caused by long-range radio. (Here's a good thread debunking that theory.) He then uses his"electrification"thesis to move through the 20th https://sfate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl9-5g-conspiracy-theory.html 4/12 7/7/2020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. and 21St centuries(while getting some dates wrong)to the activation of 5G networks and the spread of COVID-19 in 2019.The history he tells of new wireless infrastructures leading to new pandemics was picked up all over social media and became a key part of the spread of the conspiracy.Take the tweet below as just one of many examples: Tiffani Cyr @TiffaniCyr 1916 - emergence of Radio Waves 1918 - Spanish Flu outbreak 2003 - 3G introduced to the world 2003 - SARS outbreak 2009 - 4G introduced to the world 2009 - Swine flu outbreak 2019/20 - 5G introduced to the world 2019/20 - Coronavirus outbreak #WWG1 WGA #COVID-19 #5G #5GRollout 4:36 AM • Apr 2, 2020 QJ 1097 See the latest COVID-19 information on Twitter https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl9-5g-conspiracy-theory.html 5/12 W712020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. I don't want to flippantly equate concerns about cancer and wireless infrastructure with conspiracies about COVID-19. Most research shows wireless infrastructure is safe,but some scientists disagree and argue our exposure guidelines are too lax(though that has nothing to do with causing viruses). Regardless,what is notable about the public relationship to these infrastructures is that the concerns flare up again and again every time a new infrastructure is developed. 5G will eventually win out and be widely deployed,and some day we will likely move to a sixth-generation mobile infrastructure.The protests about cancer and radiation levels and the conspiracies about wireless infrastructures and disease will then start over again.With 5G,we see history repeating itself in real time. The human brain searches for patterns.Sometimes that helps us spot viable concerns and react accordingly. But sometimes our desire to link phenomena gets us in trouble. It leads to conspiracies that see causation where there is only the weakest correlation.5G COVID-19 conspiracies are a prime example, and the conspiracies are more than a cute curiosity;they have real consequences. For one,part of the conspiracy is that radiation causes the virus to spread, not human-to-human contact. People who take the conspiracy seriously may not take social distancing precautions because they don't believe humans are contagious.Secondly,these conspiracies present a straightforward solution—stop the spread of 5G to stop COVID-19 —to an existential threat that has no easy solution. Finally,the conspiracies sow distrust in a technology that, like it or not,will be a major site of national investment in the coming years.Journalists have already shown how https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl9-5g-conspiracy-theory.html 6/12 7/7/2020 The long history behind the 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory. Russian intelligence agencies have spread rumors about 5G on social media to get people to distrust the technology. It wouldn't be shocking if Russia played a role in boosting the 5G COVID-19 conspiracy as well. Finally, it is worth asking why these links come up again and again. Is there something about wireless communication infrastructure that lends itself to concerns about everything from mind control to cancer to pandemics? Maybe there is.Maybe the fact that radio waves are all around us,invisible and intangible yet so consequential,elicits a fear in the unseen.We may never know for sure. But we do know that the 5G COVID-19 conspiracies are only the newest in a long line of concerns about wireless infrastructure,and this will not be the last time we see people trying to link a new wireless infrastructure to some kind of deadly disease. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, NewAmerica,and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies,public policy,and society. History Infrastructure Smartphones Coronavirus Misinformation hftps://slate.com/technology/2020/04/coronavirus-covidl 9-5g-conspiracy-theory.html 7/12