CCC   PPPPP   U    U    CCC       N    N  EEEEE  W  W  W   SSS
 C   C  P    p  U    U   C   C      NN   N  E      W  W  W  S   S
C       P    P  U    U  C           N N  N  E      W  W  W  S
C       PPPPP   U    U  C           N N  N  EEE    W W W W   SSS
C       P       U    U  C           N  N N  E      WW   WW      S
 C   C  P       U    U   C   C      N   NN  E      W     W  S   S
  CCC   P        UUUU     CCC       N    N  EEEEE  W     W   SSS
             California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 5301            San Francisco, CA 94102
CONTACT: Dianne Dienstein            November 8, 1995  CPUC -102
         415-703-2423                              (I.91-01-012)

   CPUC REMAINS WATCHFUL REGARDING RF/EMF FROM CELLULAR TOWERS

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
ordered cellular utilities to identify and address public
concerns about potential health problems from electromagnetic
field (EMF) and radio-frequency (RF) exposure in siting and
building new cellular towers.  It urged cellular companies to
site facilities away from schools and hospitals, and to restrict
access to sites with warning signs and barriers.
    The Commission's jurisdiction is limited to cellular towers
and related facilities - it does not regulate cellular phones.
The federal Food and Drug Administration regulates RF emissions
from consumer/industrial devices and is looking into RF emissions
from hand-held cellular phones.
    Due to public concern and scientific uncertainty regarding
the potential health effects of EMF exposure, the Commission
examined what steps should be taken to mitigate the health
effects, if any, of RF and EMFs from the 1,000 cellular
facilities in California.  It found no scientific link between
EMFs and adverse health effects on humans from cellular
facilities.
    A steering committee composed of one representative each from
the CPUC Commission Advisory and Compliance Division, CPUC
Division of Ratepayer Advocates, state Department of Health
Services, Cellular Carriers Association of California, and
Citizens Concerned About Telecommunications EMF held an EMF
informational workshop on July 21, 1993 for interested
individuals and organizations.  The workshop was videotaped for
those who could not attend.
                            - more -
    The workshop report, included with the Commission decision
today, identified levels of cellular utilities' EMF and RF
radiation impacts, issues for further consideration and interim
safety measures.
    The Commission will not adopt a specific numeric standard for
RF/EMF exposure associated with cellular facilities because it is
premature to do so given no scientific evidence of a definite
link between cellular facility EMF exposure and adverse health
effects.
    However, as more scientific research is completed, Commission
action may become necessary.  The CPUC Commission Advisory and
Compliance Division will keep track of cellular EMF/RF research
findings and information, advise the Commission if action is
needed to address them, and convene periodic workshops to share
that information with all interested parties.

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