This op-ed was originally published in International Business Times on April 19, 2020, By Dr. Devra Davis
Reports of cell towers being burned and telecom workers being harassed in the U.K., The Netherlands, Ireland, and Cyprus is something scientists around the world are rightly condemning. Violent actions will only beget violent consequences for the very environment these misguided opponents seek to protect. Ironically, those living in the shadow of these towers will face the most serious hazards from any attempt to set them aflame. Where a tower or other equipment can be made to ignite, this requires the use of highly toxic combustible flammable chemicals and accelerants. If telecom equipment is set afire, this then can release a spew of toxic metals, plastics and invisibly deadly knife-like slivers of glass that rain environmental hazards onto anyone nearby and could permanently damage the local environment for years.
