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LIBBY KELLEY is the FOUNDER & DIRECTOR of the COUNCIL on WIRELESS
TECHNOLOGY IMPACTS, a non-profit organization dedicated to education,
research and advocacy on the potential health effects of electromagnetic
radiation.
Ms. Kelley holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, specializing
in Health Care Service Administration, from the University of Southern
California. From 1978 through 1986, Ms. Kelley worked for the U.S. government
in Washington, D.C., entering as a U.S. Presidential Management Intern
and later employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Ms. Kelley started working on the electromagnetic public health issue
in 1996 when her local church announced that it had entered into a contract
with a telecommunications company to place a microwave antenna on the
steeple of their church. At the time, her son was in a preschool on
the church grounds in the microwave beam of the proposed antenna. She
had a friend who had worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and after consulting with her and others she became concerned about
possible health effects. These concerns grew to the point where she
eventually helped organize local opposition and was instrumental in
the church’s successful termination of the antenna contract.
In educating herself, she became connected with citizens and scientists
around the world. She became convinced that more independent research
was needed and that the federal government needed to adopt a precautionary
policy position until the research was more definitive about the dangers
of cell phones, cell towers and similar wireless technology.
Ms. Kelley organized a citizen led Federal Court Appeal challenging
the Federal Telecommunications Laws and the FCC, which went to the U.S.
Supreme Court. She also participated in a U.S. Congressional Staff presentation
and has briefed Members of the Japanese Parliament and the British Parliament.
Our health and our children’s future are at stake here. Scientific
research shows that electromagnetic radiation can affect the DNA in
cells and alter blood pressure, trigger loss of melatonin and calcium,
cause permutation of the blood brain barrier, alter brain physiology,
trigger heat shock protein release, promote cancer, affect reproduction
and cause cardiac and neurological disease. We know that children and
the elderly are more at risk than the general population. We all know
of people who were early adaptors or heavy users of cellular phones
who now have developed brain cancers or extreme sensitivity to electromagnetic
radiation. At the same time, the telecommunications industry is building
out an enormous infrastructure of wireless transmitters and other equipment.
We believe that more should be done to protect the public’s health
by giving local governments more say in the location of transmitters
in residential areas, near schools, hospitals and nursing homes, by
designating EMR-safe areas for persons who suffer from environmental
illness, and by encouraging publicly funded independent research agenda.
Among Ms. Kelley’s accomplishments:
•In July 1999, she organized a “Citizen’s Lobby Day”
in Washington, D.C., to bring together scientists, government officials,
legislators, and local citizens. Actor Linda Evans was part of this
citizen-led delegation.
•In 2000, Ms. Kelley co-produced a documentary film, PUBLIC EXPOSURE:
DNA, Democracy and The Wireless Revolution, in collaboration with EON
International. This film on wireless and health issues is being distributed
around the world, has been translated into Japanese and Portuguese and
has been featured on television and radio.
•In 2000, she consulted with former State Senator Tom Hayden who
sponsored legislation calling for research on potential cell phone risks.
•In early 2001, Ms. Kelley initiated a California State PTA Resolution
to call for more precaution around children by limiting exposure to
cell phones, wireless laptop computers and antennas.
•Kelley’s non-profit organization is working with a national
disability research firm to further understanding of electrical sensitivity
and microwave sickness as a public health problem.
Ms. Kelly will speak on The Dangers Of Cell Phones & Cell Towers
and show 8 Film Clips from ABC News in Washington, DC on Cell Phone
Cancer Danger.
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