Not the best site for a school

Have you noticed the large sign proudly stating "Future Home of Yerba Buena Elementary School" displayed on Lindero Canyon? Then you probably have also noticed that the proposed school site is either directly underneath or in close proximity to Southern California Edison’s 66,000-volt transmission lines. Many studies have been conducted in our nation and around the world on power line proximity issues and an association to various childhood cancers has been strongly argued.

Recent studies have concluded that power lines attract particles of radon which has been proven to be linked with cancer, while other scientists suggest that invisible electromagnetic fields cause other serious health problems, including cancer and leukemia in children. It is thought that the magnetic fields stimulate the rate of cancer cell growth as much as 24 times as fast as unexposed cells. Of course, this type of exposure is equally troublesome to faculty, staff and perhaps even those that frequent the site, such as classroom volunteers.

The building of a new school is both necessary and exciting for the many Agoura residents who look forward to sending their children to Yerba Buena Elementary School.

However, the location of the school should not solely reflect residents’ concerns associated with its close proximity to the end of Reyes Adobe, hence its planned adjacency to Lindero Canyon, but to the school’s close and potentially dangerous proximity to the High Voltage Education that will be supplied by 66,000 volts overhead.

Lisa Markowitz

Westlake Village