Ethicists: opinions wanted.

[simple_gifts]

Dilemma: About 10 years ago, a buddy of mine developed an inoperable brain tumor and passed away; His parents still live nearby to me; they are in their 70's. Since Stephen was their only son, I know his death was especially hard.

While I listening to the radio recently, it was mentioned on a show that high levels of radio energy has the potential to cause such tumors. My friend was an avid climber and once scaled a 1300 ft radio tower in pitch darkness, in the winter, to catch a view. I believe the tower is for TV and probably runs 100,000's of watts. He spend several hours at the top. He told almost no one of this ascent.

Question: Since his parents are up there in age, do I mention this, or do I let this information wither. I tend to think I should not open things that are closed, but also I"d hate to see questions possibly go unanswered. This ascent "could have" caused his demise.

Input is appreciated.

-T

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

No certainty is involved. Although it's a wound that will never heal, it's one that needs no unnecessary reminders.

 

[Pablo]

Parents of a deceased son do not need speculation in their lives.

If you know them, visit them. If they want to talk about him, talk. If not, talk about something else, or help them do something or move something.

 

[Shannow]

I'd leave the issue.

 

[moribundman]

I'd leave it be, too.

 

[Chris142]

My dad has climbed many radio and TV towers to change the light bulb on top. He's 82. Getting very forgetfull but I think thats just old age.

 

[oilyriser]

I think it has to be a sustained field to trigger the inflammatory signals that attract metastases, so a short exposure should not do it.

 

[jmacmaster]

This is not an ethical issue. The radio waves did not harm your friend. And even if they did, speaking as one who has studied ethics, I'd not tell his parents about it. Whether or not you tell the parents has nothing to do with ethics. It has to do only with common sense. Don't tell them.

 

[The_Jeff]

I work at a tv station and we shut the xmitter down or cut 99% back on output power (so the cable headends can still pick it up) before we authorize tower climbers to change the bulbs.

They have to be okay with their own health and safety too, picking a day with still wind etc. Hazardous job.

We've got chain link with barbed wire fences around everything b/c of liability: Base jumpers and other trespassers.

If you spend any time inside a transmitter building, you'll notice the flourescent lights kinda "dance" from all the RF. And that's the shielded side of things.

On the other hand the Navy used to run a huge transmitter up in Cutler to bark orders at all the submarines. This surely irradiated the local civilians to some extent...

As far as ethics, don't tell the parents, they don't need to know. Would you tell them you smoked a joint together, etc?

 

[Schmoe]

I'd leave it well enough alone.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: eljefino

On the other hand the Navy used to run a huge transmitter up in Cutler to bark orders at all the submarines. This surely irradiated the local civilians to some extent...


You mean the ELF (FVLF?) transmitter in Maine? It's been shut down, I think.

 

[ccs v2.0]

Unanimous so far. Leave it alone. No need to unnecessarily reopen old wounds for what is just mere speculation.

 

[mechtech2]

Tell them of his good works and happy memories about him, instead.