Expert to address health/5G
A University of Maryland professor will discuss FCC regulations on small wireless facilities and the adequacy of those regulations to protect the public from exposures to radiofrequency waves generated by 5G antenna at an online workshop starting at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 16, in Town Hall.
Christopher Davis, Ph.D., the Minta Martin professor of Engineering at the University of Maryland’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department, will conduct the workshop for Farragut Municipal Planning Commission and Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
The virtual workshop will take place just prior to the regularly scheduled FMPC meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Both will be broadcast live on Charter Channel 193 and TDS channel 3, public access.
Davis is a physicist and engineer specializing in electromagnetic theory and has lectured at the university for 44 years.
“Electromagnetic theory is the study of electromagnetic waves, like RF waves, their propagation characteristics and how they interact with various structures and organisms, including humans,” according to a Town of Farragut press release. “Davis is an expert in the field of understanding exposures and impacts of RF waves on people from the various sources of RF waves present in modern society.”
David Smoak, Town administrator, told the Farragut Board at its July 9 meeting that Davis was recommended by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association as a speaker and expert.
“During the last few months a lot of our citizen comments and requests have been about 5G, and the small cell nodes that (will be) coming into our community shortly,” Smoak said. “One of the things we have tried to do is to reach out to our wireless carriers on who could be experts to come in and to educate, planning commission, BOMA, myself, the public on what this stuff does and what it means.
“They put us in touch with the CTIA, which represent the U.S. wireless communications industry, and they put us in touch with Dr. Davis. We think it will be helpful information, to help us be more knowledgeable on what this is,” he added. “I think if we could get others to come in as well, and give their takes on it, if they are different from Dr. Davis, we would welcome that, too.”
Concerning citizens who would have e-mailed questions to Davis in advance (deadline was Wednesday, July 15), “We will ... get them to Dr. Davis,” Smoak said last week.
However, citizens wishing to comment on the FMPC meeting or other matters may do so by e-mailing no later than noon, Thursday, July 16.
A recording of the workshop will be available on the Town’s YouTube channel Monday, July 20, a press release stated.
