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An Investigation of Radiofrequency Radiation Levels on Lookout Mountain, Jefferson County, Colorado September 22 - 28, 1986

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Authors not listed · 1987

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Denver broadcast tower investigation found radiation levels 10 times above safety limits in residential areas accessible to public.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

EPA and FCC investigators measured radiofrequency radiation levels around Denver's Lookout Mountain antenna towers in 1986. While most residential areas showed safe levels below 100 μW/cm², the KYGO-FM tower base reached 10,000 μW/cm² - ten times the FCC safety limit - with dangerous levels extending across accessible residential areas.

Why This Matters

This 1986 investigation reveals a critical reality about broadcast tower safety that remains relevant today. The KYGO-FM tower created a radiation zone ten times above federal limits in areas where people lived and walked daily. What makes this particularly significant is the stark contrast between industry compliance claims and actual measurements. While most towers met guidelines, one facility created an electromagnetic hot zone covering residential neighborhoods. This demonstrates why independent monitoring matters more than industry self-reporting. The EPA's urgent call for immediate corrections shows that even decades ago, regulators recognized these exposure levels posed unacceptable risks to public health. Today's wireless infrastructure creates similar concerns, but with far less oversight than these 1986 broadcast towers received.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (1987). An Investigation of Radiofrequency Radiation Levels on Lookout Mountain, Jefferson County, Colorado September 22 - 28, 1986.
Show BibTeX
@article{an_investigation_of_radiofrequency_radiation_levels_on_lookout_mountain_jefferso_g4961,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {An Investigation of Radiofrequency Radiation Levels on Lookout Mountain, Jefferson County, Colorado September 22 - 28, 1986},
  year = {1987},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

EPA measured 10,000 μW/cm² at the KYGO-FM tower base, which is ten times higher than the 1,000 μW/cm² FCC safety guideline. This dangerous level extended over a large residential area accessible to the public.
Most residential areas near Lookout Mountain towers showed typical power densities below 100 μW/cm², well within safety guidelines. However, areas near the KYGO tower exceeded limits by up to ten times normal levels.
The KYGO tower created radiation levels exceeding FCC guidelines across a large residential area where the public had regular access. EPA considered this an urgent public health concern requiring immediate regulatory action.
The highest measurement along Cedar Lake Road was 580 μW/cm², which remained below the 1,000 μW/cm² FCC guideline. This contrasted sharply with the dangerous levels found specifically around the KYGO-FM tower base.
While most Denver area towers operated safely below 1,000 μW/cm² FCC guidelines, the KYGO-FM facility created a radiation zone reaching 10,000 μW/cm² in residential areas, prompting urgent EPA intervention.