Construction of a contentious cell phone tower has resumed in the Highway 403 and Fiddler's Green Road community.

Workers returned last week to complete construction of a cell tower that originally began in February. The new one-dimensional unit will replace a three-dimensional tower that was partially built in February before being dismantled. Rogers Wireless is erecting the tower on land that forms part of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation road allowance.

Foxborough Drive resident Dave Mochrie doesn't believe cell towers are completely safe, despite a report from Hamilton's medical officer of health that downplays health concerns.

He is a spokesperson for a group of concerned residents who lives about 30 metres south of the transmission tower.

Wireless communication devices use radio frequency (RF) energy to transmit data.

In her report to city councillors, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson states radio frequency energy "is generally considered to be not harmful to humans."

"It's just regurgitating literature that supports Rogers' position," Mr. Mochrie said.

He addressed a recent statement by Toronto Public Health, echoed by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, that parents should limit children's cell phone use due to health concerns.

"The big issue is government at all levels is washing their hands because there's a lot of money involved."

"Nobody at any level of government wants to get involved."

Marc Choma, a spokesperson for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, called the city's public health report "a rational, real approach," based on legitimate scientific data.

Rogers Wireless is a member of the CWTA.

The CWTA does not regulate cell tower emission standards or the location of new towers. Industry Canada's Safety Code 6 sets emission standards, under Health Canada guidelines.

Mr. Choma said he isn't aware of any buffer zone restrictions for new cell towers under current regulations. He noted wireless antennas are often located atop churches, businesses and multi-residential buildings.

"It's more along the lines of emission limits," Mr. Choma said.

Health Canada sets emission limits for cell phone towers at 1,000 microwatts per square centimetre. Many European jurisdictions set lower standards, including Saltzburg, Austria, where the limit is just 0.1 microwatts per square centimetre.

Mr. Choma said the recent Toronto Public Health statement on youth cell phone use has caused "an alarmist attitude with parents."

He encourages parents to review the most credible literature on RF energy in order to make an informed decision.

"From what I have seen, there is no risk," he said.

Aside from the health concerns, Mr. Mochrie fears the cell tower will impact his property value.

He said three houses for sale on Foxborough Drive remained on the market for several weeks when the first tower was erected in February. Once the tower was dismantled the homes sold quickly.

Mr. Mochrie is one of several area residents who appealed the location of the tower when the plan was initially publicized. He was told residents cannot appeal the location of a new tower based on lost property value.

As a construction foreman, Mr. Mochrie uses a cell phone regularly. But he also stresses the need for suitable buffer zones for transmission towers from residential areas.

"They shouldn't be that close to residences," Mr. Mochrie said.

As of Jan. 1, 2008, new regulations from Industry Canada require public consultation for new cell phone towers. In February, Rogers Wireless spokesperson Odette Coleman said city planning staff was aware of the cell tower proposal as early as February, 2007. She said the company provided an opportunity for a public meeting last year, but none were held. Rogers is now building a 32-metre "slim-line monopole for Fiddler's Green Road," Ms. Coleman said.

"A slim-line monopole is essentially very similar to a highway light pole and is less visually obstructive," she explained in an e-mail.

From the city's perspective, the project requires only a valid building permit and site plan approval. Neither process is subject to public consultation or council approval. The city cannot regulate the location of new cell towers.

Ray Lee, acting manager of development planning, could not be reached by press time to confirm whether the required city approvals were in place.

Canada's wireless communications industry generated more than $12 billion in 2007 alone, according to the CWTA. In Hamilton, there are currently an estimated 140 cell phone towers.