Impacts of communication towers on avians: A review
Bioeffects Seen
Bhattacharya, R, Roy, R. · 2013
View Original AbstractInsufficient information to determine key finding.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
This 2013 review by Bhattacharya and Roy examined the impacts of communication towers on avian species. The study synthesized existing literature on how communication infrastructure affects bird populations.
Why This Matters
Communication towers can affect avian populations through multiple mechanisms including collision risk, habitat disruption, and potential electromagnetic field exposure. Review articles provide valuable synthesis of existing research but require access to the full text to identify specific conclusions.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Cite This Study
Bhattacharya, R, Roy, R. (2013). Impacts of communication towers on avians: A review.
Show BibTeX
@article{impacts_of_communication_towers_on_avians_a_review_ce4811,
author = {Bhattacharya and R and Roy and R.},
title = {Impacts of communication towers on avians: A review},
year = {2013},
doi = {10.1016/j.pathophys.2009.01.008},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19261451},
}Quick Questions About This Study
Two ecological studies found strong increases in cancer incidence within 350-400 meters of base stations. While study design limitations prevent definitive conclusions, the consistent findings across different locations suggest a concerning pattern requiring further investigation.
Studies consistently found health effects within 350-400 meters of base stations. The review suggests harmful effects may occur at power densities above 0.5-1 mW/m², but notes that no clear threshold exists below which no effects occur.
WHO's International EMF Project and COST 281 have actively discouraged base station health studies, stating in 2006 that cancer research near towers is 'low priority.' This has resulted in very few investigations despite community health concerns.
Experimental studies found weak evidence that UMTS and GSM base station signals reduce wellbeing in people who report being EMF-sensitive. Cross-sectional studies also found health effects that appeared independent of people's concerns or attributions about towers.
Base station and handset exposures have almost nothing in common according to researchers. Towers create continuous, lower-level exposures over large areas, while phones create brief, high-intensity exposures directly to the head during calls.