Tag Archives: California

by Ramola D, with Tracy/The Everyday Concerned Citizen/Posted 8/17/2016

Ongoing and extremely concerning radiation levels recently detected in a University Village Albany apartment at the University of California (UC), Berkeley campus in Alameda County, California were reported to Housing and Environmental Health and Safety staff at UC Berkeley. The University claims however there are no sources of such radiation on campus, and attributes continuous radio frequency exposure to “Law Enforcement & Government Satellite Technology.”

UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health, & Safety (EH&S) whose mission statement aims to provide “guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship,” met on August 5 with Berkeley housing resident Tracy (last name withheld for privacy) who made the report to Housing staff.

Eddie Ciprazo, an EH&S Laser Safety Officer, accompanied by a second, unidentified staff-member, and Administrative Housing Manager Joonie Kim, “outright refused” to test the inside of Tracy’s University Village apartment for health-harming electromagnetic pollution that she had detected and documented earlier using her own handheld RF (Radio Frequency) counting equipment.

Tracy reports:

“Interestingly enough, Eddie Ciprazo was quick to blame possible RF over-exposure on law enforcement, government, and satellite technology, which he denied any part of. So, he did not feel that the university is personally responsible for the damages caused to our health.”

Additionally, although Eddie Ciprazo is listed on the Berkeley website as having “over 25 years of experience in ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation and laser safety,” and is a prominent Bay Area Laser Safety Officer who trains and audits users on laser safety with sophisticated University equipment, Tracy reports that “he also refused to tell me the state and federal guidelines for RF exposure” as she was previously promised via email by Housing Manager Joonie Kim.

“When I asked why, he shrugged me off and said he did not have the equipment to measure the level of exposure in my apartment.”

Radiation Bombardment From Below and Above University Apartment

The RF measurements Tracy has made have yielded information on both directional frequencies coming into her home and located frequency-emitting devices seemingly incorporated into smoke alarm detectors and other fixtures inside her apartment. She says she has experienced radiation bombardment directionally from the apartment below as well as from above the top floor of the apartment building, whether from the attic, rooftop, or beyond, she does not know.

Detection of Ultra High Frequency Pulsing Microwave Radiation and Radio-Frequency Emitting Devices Inside Apartment

Inside the University apartment, Tracy has used a portable, hand-held radio frequency detector and a radio frequency counter, an ACECO SC-1 SMART RF Counter, calibrated to measure frequencies in the 30 Megahertz (MHz) to 2.8 Gigahertz (GHz) range, and a Bunker Hill Security Wireless RF/WiFi Detector, calibrated to measure frequencies in the 20 MHz to 3 GHz range.

Using the ACECO RF Counter, Tracy has picked up radiation measurements in the 100-300 MHz range, which is Very High Frequency (VHF), and in the 300-500 MHz range, which is Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

“I have measured frequencies in the 100-300 MHz range on my body, and I have also measured rapidly fluctuating frequencies in the 100-500 MHz range inside the unit, with a single sample reading of 333.705 MHz on my bed where I sleep at night. That means that there are multiple frequencies in multiple bandwidths contributing to the overall electromagnetic smog inside my apartment.”

In addition, while scanning the apartment with the Bunker Hill Wireless RF/Wifi detector which locates wireless cameras, listening devices, and other frequency-emitting devices, indicating RF emitter presence with an audible beeping sound, Tracy has noticed the RF sensing alarm being activated at multiple locations inside and outside of her home, despite unplugging her wireless router and taking the battery out of her cell phone.

“There were no other known sources of wireless RF or WiFi. Specific locations include fire alarm devices, sprinkler devices, ceiling light fixtures, door frames, window frames, bathroom mirror, bathroom faucets, bathroom towel racks, some but not all light switches and electrical outlets…. Some of my own furniture also appears to be bugged: table lamps, clock radio, even my loveseat couch.”

The implications here are that for some unknown reason, the apartment has been furnished with radio-transmitting devices, some possibly functioning as video and audio surveillance, and others, she speculates, as motion detectors to trace movement around the apartment.

Tracy definitely feels like her privacy has been compromised. What could be the purpose of such intimate covert surveillance?

Health-Damaging Effects of Microwave Radiation Experienced in Apartment

Tracy, a UC alumna with a Biology degree, is a family caretaker for her daughter, a currently- enrolled UC Berkeley student who has been diagnosed with a disabling gastro-intestinal health condition requiring a doctor-prescribed diet. On a disability accommodation provided by the University for her daughter, Tracy moved into the apartment in November 2015 and continues to reside there up to the present date–August 2016–so she can help take care of her daughter’s medical needs.

Tracy reports that ever since she moved in, she herself has experienced continuous, health-damaging exposure to low-intensity electromagnetic radiation, which she has measured and which she points out is also impacting negatively on her daughter’s sensitive health:

“I’m getting radiated with microwaves, which seem to be rising up from the floor of my apartment. It causes a thermal sensation that stimulates my nerves and burns my feet! Sometimes I can feel it all the way up to my waist. When I lie down in bed at night, it envelops my entire body… Sometimes it is on very low (hardly detectible) and other times it is on full blast (anyone can feel it).”

A biomedical scientist with research experience in Neurophysiology and post-baccalaureate pre-medical training in Pediatric Orthopedics, Tracy has a high degree of parental concern for the health and well being of her daughter as well as herself. Keen to scientifically measure and record incoming frequencies inside the University apartment while researching the bio-effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health, she reports a disturbing spectrum of health damages that she herself has experienced.

“My health symptoms include headache, pain, itching, swelling, inflammation, thyroid disease, immune disorder, tinnitus, blurred vision, hair loss, pins ‘n’ needles tingling and vibrational sensations in my nerves, and thermal heat burning and pain on my skin (especially on the bottom of my feet). I feel like I am being radiated from the downstairs unit on a daily basis with increased exposure at night (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM)”.

“Sometimes, I also get hit with pulsed microwave frequencies coming from above in the early morning hours (3:00 to 5:00 AM), or it could last until about 2 PM the following day. On these really bad days, I usually wake up late with extreme dehydration, migraine headache, blurred vision, eye infections, nausea, and vomiting yellow acid on an empty stomach.”

Documented Health-Damaging Effects of Microwave Radiation

Health hazards and bio-effects of exposure to microwave and other radio-frequency radiation have been extensively researched and documented over the past couple decades.

Yet it is only now these are coming into public view, since telecommunications companies who stand to benefit from increased sales of cell phones, cell antennas, and wireless communications in general, along with their affiliate entities, including government bodies such as the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), as reported elsewhere online, have consistently sought to suppress awareness on this subject. The FCC’s troubling stance toward public health was recently exposed, for instance, in the FCC Commissioner’s non-response to a reporter questioning the carcinogenic effects of radiation at the July 14 5-G rollout in Washington, DC.

Nevertheless, the news from scientists is in, and it is not good. Studies examining exposure to both thermal and non-thermal radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum have documented high degrees of bio-damage, including molecular and cellular injury.

For instance, the BioInitiative 2012 Report from an international group of scientists specialized in BioElectromagnetics, examining over 1800 studies, concludes:

“BIOEFFECTS ARE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED

Bioeffects are clearly established and occur at very low levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation. Bioeffects can occur in the first few minutes at levels associated with cell and cordless phone use. Bioeffects can also occur from just minutes of exposure to mobile phone masts (cell towers), WI-FI, and wireless utility ‘smart’ meters that produce whole-body exposure. Chronic base station level exposures can result in illness.

BIOEFFECTS WITH CHRONIC EXPOSURES CAN REASONABLY BE PRESUMED TO RESULT IN ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

Many of these bioeffects can reasonably be presumed to result in adverse health effects if the exposures are prolonged or chronic. This is because they interfere with normal body processes (disrupt homeostasis), prevent the body from healing damaged DNA, produce immune system imbalances, metabolic disruption, and lower resilience to disease across multiple pathways. Essential body processes can eventually be disabled by incessant external stresses (from system-wide electrophysiological interference) and lead to pervasive impairment of metabolic and reproductive functions.”

“*The BioInitiative 2012 Report has been prepared by 29 authors from ten countries*, ten holding medical degrees (MDs), 21 PhDs, and three MsC, MA or MPHs. Among the authors are three former presidents of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, and five full members of BEMS. One distinguished author is the Chair of the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation. Another is a Senior Advisor to the European Environmental Agency. Full titles and affiliations of authors is in Section 25 – List of Participants.”

The full report can be found online here.

Giving lie to the oft-cited plaint (by telecommunications companies) that studies on radiation exposure do not prove effects other than thermal effects, a bibliography of documents examining bio-effects by Z. R. Glaser, published in 1972, and listed on Dr. Magda Havas’ website, lists more than 2000 documents “on the biological responses to radio frequency and microwave radiation”.

“The author classified the biological effects, into 17 categories…These categories include heating (thermal effects); changes in physiologic function; alterations of the central, autonomic and peripheral nervous systems; psychological disorders; behavioral changes (animal studies); blood and vascular disorders; enzyme and other biochemical changes; metabolic, gastro-intestinal, and hormonal disorders; histological changes; genetic and chromosomal effects; the pearl-change effect (related to orientation in bacteria and animals); and a miscellaneous group of symptoms that didn’t fit into the above categories.”

Pulsed microwave radiation has been found to be more dangerous than continuous wave radiation. Cell phones, smart meters, and WiFi routers use pulsed microwave radiation.

Information on the dangers to human health of all kinds of EMF radiation may be found online at various sites, including the websites and YouTube videos of talks by Dr. Magda Havas, Dr. Devra Davis, Camilla Rees, and Dr. Martin Blank. Important information in this area includes the study by Martin Blank and Reba Goodman, DNA is a Fractal Antenna in Electromagnetic Fields, a talk by Camilla Rees on The Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Human Health, and one by Dr. Magda Havas on The Truth About Wired and Wireless Technologies.

University of California, Berkeley Response

In communications with the Environment Health and Safety office, Tracy has offered this clear-cut description of microwave radiation from Wikipedia, along with a Frequency Allocation table from the FCC to illustrate the different ranges of radio frequency and microwave radiation with current allocations to public, private, and federal entities.

“Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from one meter to one millimeter, with frequencies between 300 MHz (100 cm) and 300 GHz (0.1 cm). This broad definition includes Ultra High Frequencies (UHF), Super High Frequencies (SHF), and Extremely High Frequencies (EHF).” Wikipedia

“WiFi is a technology that allows electronic devices to connect to a wireless LAN (WLAN) or Wireless Local Area Network, mainly using the 2.4 GHz (UHF) and 5 GHz (SHF) radio frequency bands, which overlaps with microwaves.” Wikipedia

Responding to Tracy’s emails succeeding the meeting with Laser Safety Officer Eddie Ciprazo, Carolyn Mackenzie, the Radiation Safety Officer at UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety stated that the frequencies Tracy was measuring in her apartment did not come from any University sources, adding that her meters were not adequate to prove radiation exposure:

“Our Facilities department that is responsible for cellular communications at campus facilities has advised us as follows: They do not have WiFi or cellular equipment broadcasting between the 100 MHz-500 MHz range anywhere on or off the campus. The University is not aware of any UC Equipment broadcasting between 100 MHz and 500 MHz at University Village. The 333 MHz radiofrequency (RF) range is associated with aeronautical navigation. The airports and pilots utilize this frequency band for navigation.

A radio frequency engineer and sophisticated equipment (far beyond the handheld tools you have purchased) are required to perform a radio frequency spectrum analysis. If this work is required, an independent engineering firm would be required to perform this analysis at not a trivial expense.

Our preliminary investigations do not indicate any sources for abnormal radio frequency exposure in University Village. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes the standards for radio frequency exposure to the public and these are the standards that users generating radio frequencies must comply with.”

Janet Gilmore, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at UC Berkeley, who identified herself as a campus spokeswoman to this writer, responded to enquiries at the EH&S and Housing office regarding UC Berkeley’s understanding of Tracy’s complaint, their response to her health concerns, and whether they were planning to actually scan Tracy’s apartment with more sophisticated equipment, by reiterating the information above and refusing to answer questions on possible further investigations:

“Our preliminary investigations do not indicate any sources of abnormal radio frequency exposure in University Village. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes the standards for radio frequency exposures to the public and these are the standards that users generating radio frequencies must comply with.

In addition, please be aware of the following: Our University facilities service does not have WiFi or cellular equipment broadcasting between 100 MHz – 500 MHz range (the range [Tracy] is concerned about) anywhere on or off the campus; the university has no information indicating that there is any UC Equipment broadcasting between 100 MHz and 500 MHz at University Village; and the handheld radio frequency detection tools such as the ones [Tracy] is using are not accurate tools for performing a radio frequency analysis.”

It should be noted that University personnel, while pointing out, in their “preliminary investigation,” a lack of sources for such high radiation levels on campus, did not actually bring out their own sophisticated equipment or send a radio frequency engineer to independently perform a radio frequency analysis inside or outside of her apartment.

It is to be hoped this is still a possibility, and that such scanning will indeed take place, as first steps in an investigation to establish and address the concerning levels of radiation exposure in this UC Berkeley apartment, in efforts to maintain the health and safety of students and their families at UC Berkley.

Tracy notes that such spectrum analysis is vital in order to determine radiation exposure to all health-harming frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum. Her search for answers online yielded some information on California guidelines:

“When I went onto the (UC Berkeley) website to look at the Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety (Non-Laser) Manual, I found out that the California Code of Regulations (CCR, Title 8, Section 5085, Subchapter 7, Group 14, Article 104 – Nonionizing Radiation) establishes MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) values for frequencies between 3 MHz and 300 GHz and there is a Non-Occupational Exposure Limits chart in the manual, but I still haven’t figured out how to determine what my exposure level has been without them scanning my apartment.”

The University has previously been in the spotlight for lack of environmental safety, which resulted in the death and injuries of students. Last year, six Irish exchange students were killed when a balcony collapsed beneath them.

Given that incident, which was considered a national tragedy in Ireland, and unpacked evidence of both shoddy construction and negligent selection of the contractor responsible for the construction, one would hope the University is doubly keen today to ensure the welfare of their students, and their protection from radiation-exposure harm.

Yet it was not until prompted several times via email that Ms. Mackenzie finally sent Tracy a copy of the FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Fields and, Tracy notes, “It is still not clear what the source of the frequency emissions are, or if they are indeed regulated by the FCC or some other regulatory agency, such as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce.”

Radiation Surveillance, Monitoring, Harassment on the UC Berkeley Campus?

However this is not the whole story here.

At the close of the meeting held with Eddie Ciprazo, who refused to scan her apartment for radiation levels and suggested that radiation she was measuring came from satellite surveillance technology being deployed by the government, Tracy was handed a business card for Holly Aaron, Goddess of Light, Molecular Imaging Center, UC Berkeley, Cancer Research Laboratory.

The peculiarity of the implications here cannot remain un-noted. That the University’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety would deny the existence of and refuse to scientifically check for harmful radiation, yet refer a resident complaining of radiation over-exposure to their own cancer research center raises many questions.

To what extent is the University responsible for radiation harm being caused to students and their families occupying campus housing? Why would Environment Health & Safety staff choose not to verify meter readings of high radiation levels inside a campus apartment? Does the explanation given of “Law Enforcement & Government Satellite Technology” bear any relation to UC Berkeley’s Cancer Research Center?

Two details of note appear relevant here. One is that Tracy reports, in addition to obvious covert surveillance devices in her apartment and exposure to continuous radiation, a seeming campaign of deliberate noise-harassment by close neighbors “and neighborhood people who may or may not even live here”, which she has previously reported to University Housing staff, as well as other forms of obvious harassment such as a disturbing pattern of “apparent monitoring by UC maintenance and grounds people as well as being followed and intimidated by University of California Berkeley Police (UCPD) vehicles, some with K-9 police dogs and cages, and also by UC Berkeley security guards.”

She also reports continuous fire safety checks being run on her apartment, once every three months when they claim in writing that they only do annual inspections, and points out that she has detected radio transmissions from the numerous (5) fire alarm devices installed in her small 2-bedroom apartment, and has wondered if this is related to the high levels of radiation she has measured.

Many Americans have recently noted, including ex-NSA Technical Director and whistleblower William Binney, that America quite closely resembles Nazi Germany today. Close surveillance, radiation assaults, constant monitoring, following, and noise harassment by neighbors, EMS (Emergency Medical Service) personnel, and local police are being reported today by Americans opportunistically targeted for electronic surveillance, Zersetsung-like community policing, and employment blacklisting all across the USA (as well as in many other countries).

Is this occurring also on the campus of UC Berkeley, and would that therefore imply the University administration is fully aware of and/or involved in targeting Tracy and her daughter with covert harassment and surveillance?

Domestic Drone Use by University Law Enforcement/DHS

Tracy reports an additional circumstance of concern that would appear to support University awareness of the targeted surveillance and radiation she is experiencing–aerial harassment from planes, drones, and helicopters–offering insights also into domestic drone use by DHS within the USA:

“In my new protected Safe at Home location, I have spotted two satellites as well as a small aerial vehicle (SAV) drone hovering above my apartment during daylight hours and at night.

The drone appears to have infrared see-through-wall technology on it along with a green blinking light. This is the same drone that is used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for patrolling the border, only now they are being dispersed to local Law Enforcements across the nation.

This is what the drone looks like (photo at right).”

Secondly, as Tracy recently informed Radiation Safety Officer Carolyn Mackenzie, she and her daughter are currently under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) protection, and actively enrolled in the California State Safe at Home Confidential Address Program with DMV record suppression. As repeat victims of organized crime, they are not unfamiliar with police retaliation and negligence. It would be extremely ironic if the place of her current refuge, on a University campus, has become the site of a new assault:

“Because my landlord, housing authority, and police routinely ignore my complaints, my daughter and I were approved by a court judge for a Safe at Home confidential name change and emergency relocation to avoid domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.”

Although Tracy notes she cannot herself pinpoint the sources of the pulsating radiation in her apartment, she notes their seemingly precise targeting of her person, as sensed on her peripheral nervous system, eyes, brain, and other organs, and has variously suspected the use of military-grade energy weapons or DEWs (Directed-Energy Weapons) operated from neighboring apartments, and/or from rooftop, drone, or satellite in the irradiation of her body that her meters are registering.

“This is not coincidental. I was getting radiated in my last apartment as well. This started in June of 2014 and it has continued 24/7/365 to date in spite of the fact that I relocated from San Diego County to Alameda County to get away from it.”

Since Tracy and her daughter have multiple chemical sensitivities and electromagnetic hypersensitivity, and she herself experiences multiple health issues secondary to these environmental sensitivities and is therefore unable to seek employment, Tracy hopes to seek assistance from Fair Housing mediators and obtain SSI disability income as she continues to seek diagnostic evaluations of her health and EMF (Electromagnetic Field) testing by external environmental consultants.

Essentially, Tracy seeks help from UC Berkeley in radio frequency analysis of her University apartment as she seeks disability modifications to her unit to help her shield from the devastation of radiation assaults she is experiencing while already battling a disabling health condition.

In order to counter the larger issue of unjust surveillance and targeting of law-abiding citizens by rogue factions of government at the local, state, and federal levels, Tracy hopes to pursue further investigative and legal actions while continuing to speak out in public forums about these human rights violations.

Update just before publishing, 8/17

Tracy currently reports that University Housing at UC Berkeley sent her the letter below, in response to her queries.

Letter from UC Berkeley Housing, 8/17/16:

Dear Tracy,

Our team has discussed extensively and have decided not to take any further action in regards to the radiation issue you’ve brought up. Unfortunately, this also means that we are no longer able to give you the access to a vacant unit in the University Village.

As it was explained previously by Carolyn, we have decided not to fund a RF study at your unit due to the fact that our preliminary investigations do not indicate any sources for abnormal radio frequency exposure. We do not believe there is any legitimate health or safety issue at the Village.

Lastly, Eddie Ciprazo has accidentally given you the wrong business card when he thought he was giving you his own. We apologize for the confusion.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Joonie Kim
Administrative Operations Manager
University Village

To this, Tracy notes, emphatically:

“No preliminary investigation took place! They just took a picture of my meters and told me I would need to hire a licensed engineer to do a full spectrum analysis at my cost.”

An earlier, August 10 letter from Joonie Kim, University Housing clarifies the issue of the “vacant unit”:

“During our meeting last Friday, I said that the emergency apartment may be available for you to do some analysis and to compare it with your current unit. Unfortunately, the emergency apartment won’t be available for a while. Instead, we can let you into one of the vacant apartments and let you take your meter readings for a few hours. Again, as I’ve told you, it would not change our positions except to benefit your own research in the situation.

In addition, you may file a claim with Risk Services if you choose to do so. Here is the website: http://riskservices.berkeley.edu/claims-losses

Please let me know if you would like to schedule to go into one of the vacant units.”

Tracy had responded to this communication on August 10 to say:

“I would be willing to spend time in another unit, but I think it would be more helpful to spend the night since my attacks are mostly during the night, often times, while I am asleep. I do not own a sleeping bag but could bring a pillow and blanket.”

However, it appears that by August 17, University Housing had changed their mind about providing access to a vacant unit and permitting meter readings there, as noted in the letter of August 17 above.

University of California, Berkeley Responsibilities

Despite this recent no-action response from the University, it is to be hoped that University Housing administration and staff at UC Berkeley will newly recognize the need here for more re-assuring and meaningful action to assist this mother’s quest for a safe and healthful environment for herself and for her daughter, and step forward to disallow any kind of Law Enforcement or Government radiation and/or other assaults on students and their families on University grounds.

While UC Berkeley staff may seek to dismiss high levels of microwave radiation in Housing apartments as sourced from police, government, and satellite technology—and therefore not a University responsibility—their reticence in independently verifying and addressing this harmful radiation themselves could indeed appear to point to witting participation given that the University’s funding sources include government grants.

Surely too it would be to the University’s benefit to address this situation appropriately keeping student and family health and safety paramount; radiation exposure in a campus housing unit, left unchecked, is hardly likely to prove attractive or advantageous to future students and families. More immediately, it will prove indeed to be an issue of concern to all currently-enrolled students and their families.

This article may be re-published in full with attribution and linkback.