Robert Weller, a senior consulting engineer with the firm Hammett and Edison, commented on last week's story regarding the CSU study on the impact of RF from the Lookout Mountain facilities on people living near the site.
"I've discussed this work with some associates in the Bioelectromagnetics community," Weller said. "The apparent results are contrary to at least six peer-reviewed studies. At least three studies of similar design show no effect on melatonin. Two other studies that do report effects suggest a decrease in melatonin with higher levels of RF exposure. In fact, the authors' also previously published work (in 2002) showing a decrease. Yet, their present work appears to show an increase in melatonin metabolites.
"I believe that the authors need to provide further explanation for their results, and the peer-review process would almost certainly demand that. Meanwhile, I would place little or no reliance on this apparent result," Weller said.
Weller is a member of the IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) and a member of the RF Subcommittee of the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES SC4).
Weller also pointed out the story's headline, "C.A.R.E. Says NIH Study Confirms Adverse Effects From Denver Tower RF," should be clarified. As stated in the text of the article, the study was conducted by Colorado State University's Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Services. The reference to the National Institute of Health came from an article at www.care.org, which said the National Institute of Health commissioned the study. The study itself does not mention the National Institute of Health and except for one, Dr. Michael Yost from the University of Washington, all authors of the study are from Colorado State University.
