Meet Ashland’s Oregon for Safer Technology (OST)
In March of 2018, several Ashland residents responded to an Internet invitation in “Nextdoor Neighborhood” to attend a discussion about the cell facility proposed for the Science Building at Southern Oregon University. The invitation was extended by Kelly Marcotulli, who had great interest because she suffers from “microwave sickness,” and she became the founder of a dedicated group known today as Ashland’s “Oregon for Safer Technology (OST).”
OST’s purpose is to study scientific documents and commentary on wireless technologies and present important information to the public. This will guide people to make informed decisions about the wireless devices they choose to use and measures for using them as safely as possible. This research takes considerable time because the historical and scientific information is reported in tens of thousands of documents and many Web sites. New information and news events appear every week as there is growing global concern about the safety of new Fifth-Generation (5G) technology. Neither the wireless industry nor the US Government has studied the safety of “5G,” which introduces a quantum jump in radio frequencies and wireless-facility requirements. OST has given and will continue to offer public presentations about the effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on human health and ecosystems for pollinators, insects, trees, plants, bacteria, soil organisms, and most living things. Significant energy requirements for 5G networks may contribute to climate change.
Members of OST have met with officials at SOU, given presentations to the Ashland City Council and Planning Commission, and met with the Mayor and members of the City Council. The group also follows legislative actions in other cities, states, and countries, as well as congressional and symposium testimonies from expert world scientists and doctors, who express serious concern about public exposure to RFR from wireless technology. Recently, OST contacted state officials to urge them to review the vast information OST has collected on wireless technology.
It’s noteworthy that Oregon has passed SB 283, the first bill in the US to explore the health effects of wireless RFR on children in schools. The bill requires the Oregon Health Authority to review independently funded peer reviewed scientific studies. Results of the review are to be presented to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly.
OST urges residents of Ashland and the Rogue Valley to watch for announcements of OST public presentations in coming months. Three public awareness events about wireless technology will be presented at the Bellview Grange in Ashland this October 16th, 23rd and 30th. The OST Web site is http://or4safertech.org.
