I've been living on the top floor of an 8 level apartment for about 5 years now. I've known for a while that there was some communication equipment on top of the building (~20 feet above me), but never paid much attention to it.

It turns out the equipment is actually a large base station used for cellphone communication. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a cell phone and checked up on some general info on Wikipedia, and looked at the article about base stations and their health effects when in close proximity. One study says the following:



What's interesting is that is that I've experienced all of the above symptons in some form or another (although this probably is just sheer coincidence, or the result of some other issues in my life). There are two further studies that indicate there is no effect at all though.

Maybe it's nothing, but there are some questions in my mind about this whole thing. Are there health consequences? Should I worry about this whole deal? What should I do now with the information I have? This is a rather nice apartment for the price, but I would move out only if I should be concerned.

OH NOSE CELL PHONES CAUSE CANCER, THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

There is a difference between using a cellphone and living right under a base station. Great useless post by the way.

EDIT:

I'm still very skeptical that EMF causes brain tumors or other such diseases. If we all knew just how much radiation we are exposed to day-to-day, we'd be living in lead suits.

I'd probably worry about it even if I was told that there's nothing to worry about, but I'm like that.

Serious Health concern? And you're asking here?

Every second that you're wasting asking Massassi, is another brain tumor that will be forming.

Yeah, so stop asking for advice and there will be no more brain tumors!

I get headaches if I use old cell phones

Like, the big old ones that are about 1 foot long and weigh 10 pounds? Yeah, those'll do something to your head.

Even the newer old ones that arent that big. Before flip-phones.

I wouldn't worry too much. Everyone suffers from fatigue, headaches, and sleep disruption now and then, and unless you've been testing your memory regularly, your "memory loss" is probably ordinary forgetfulness.

However, note that I'm not a doctor, have never wanted to be a doctor, and have learned everything I know about medical issues by watching House.

Hah, you should have added that he's also a lying idiot.

A previous co-worker of mine used to work for a radio station and told me a lot of stuff about what you're talking about but that was a while ago and I can't remember anything significant. I'll ask him.

You're a college student. What percentage of your peers would you suppose have these symptoms? 80%? 90%? Stop worrying, as JG said, if you knew exactly how much radiation you're being exposed to at any given time, you'd be wearing a lead suit.

If you're really worried, nail some chicken wire to the ceiling.

...wouldn't that amplify it?

Kill you that much faster, less pain to suffer through.

How so? It might deflect the EM waves or focus them, but not really amplify them. Chicken wire grounded to earth would provide a rudimentary faraday cage with minimal coverage.

Ok, amplify was the wrong word, focus is what I ment. I just remember reading some article on the irony of "tinfoil hats."

Those symptoms could apply to a vast number of things.

If you're so concerned about it, then move. Waste your money on a doctor's visit just for them to tell you that there's nothing they can do. Asking an internet forum full of testy nerds isn't going to get you anywhere.

That would be true, except I responded.