Reference for SD Trustees

Wi-Fi Committee Info Package
http://tinyurl.com/6n3elej


2010 Letter by Carol Hughes, MP
"Wi-Fi Concerns Should Lead to Updated Regulations"


Wireless Technologies and Young People


World Health Organization labels wireless: “Possible Carcinogen”
Prime Minister of Canada urged to protect Canadians

Starting yesterday, microwave radiation from cell phones, cordless phones, W-Fi, smart meters and other wireless consumer devices and infrastructure is officially labeled by the World Health Organization to be a Possible Carcinogen, in the same category as Lead and DDT.

The Wireless Radiation Safety Council calls on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to exercise the strength of his new majority government and act swiftly to protect Canada’s children, as is happening elsewhere in accordance with the May 27, 2011 resolution of the Council of Europe. Further, we urge the Prime Minister to quickly call a meeting with all provincial Premiers and Territorial Leaders to develop a framework to safeguard the health of Canadians under provincial jurisdictions of public health, labour, and education.

In light of the reclassification of emissions from wireless devices as possible carcinogens, the Prime Minister must now require Health Canada and Industry Canada to review existing standards for cell phones and all wireless consumer devices, especially those exposing pregnant women, children and youth. These include: wireless toys; baby monitors; as well as Wi-Fi and other sources in schools, daycares, and all locations where pregnant women, children and youth are exposed, including colleges and universities. We also call on the Prime Minister to urgently adopt widespread and ongoing awareness campaigns for family doctors, parents, employers and all Canadians.

The Wireless Radiation Safety Council represents more than two-dozen local and provincial organizations across Canada, lobbying for change in national wireless radiation safety standards.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/20/cell-phone-radiation_n_864799.html?ir=Canada
http://www.youaretheanswer.ca/press-release/prime-minister-of-canada-urged-to-protect-canadians/


Europe:
  • The Council of Europe adopted New Resolutions on Electromagnetic Fields

    The Council of Europe      http://www.coe.int/aboutcoe/ index.asp?page=47pays1europe& l=en, appointed a parliamentary committee to study the effects of electromagnetic fields on the environment and human health. The committee's report summed up important and current information about electromagnetic fields and proposed specific resolutions regarding Wi-Fi, cellphones, children and more. This report takes into account the current World Health Organization standards and describes the reasoning of their findings and recommendations.The report and proposed resolutions were formally adopted at their Parliamentary Assembly on May 27, 2011.
    The official News Release:PACE (Parliamentary Assembly - Council of Europe) calls on governments to ‘take all reasonable measures’ to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields - May 27, 2011
    The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Kyiv at Standing Committee level, today called on European governments to “take all reasonable measures” to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially to radio frequencies from mobile phones, “and particularly the exposure to children and young people who seem to be most at risk from head tumours”.

    According to parliamentarians, governments should "for children in general, and particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren on school premises”, and put in place information and awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of potentially harmful long-term biological effects on the environment and on human health, especially “targeting children, teenagers and young people of reproductive age”.

    Following the proposals of the rapporteur (Jean Huss, Luxembourg, SOC), the Assembly called on governments to provide information on potential health risks of DECT-type wireless telephones, baby monitors and other domestic appliances which emit continuous pulse waves, if all electrical equipment is left permanently on standby. They should, instead, recommend “the use of wired, fixed telephones at home or, failing that, models which do not permanently emit pulse waves”.

    Governments should “reconsider the scientific basis for the present electromagnetic fields exposure standards set by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection     [followed by the WHO and Health Canada], “which have serious limitations” and apply as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles.

    The adopted resolution underlines the fact that “the precautionary principle should be applicable when scientific evaluation does not allow the risk to be determined with sufficient certainty” and stresses that “the issue of independence and credibility of scientific expertise is crucial” to achieve a transparent and balanced assessment of potential negative impacts on the environment and human health.
  • The Council of Europe is comprised of 47 countries and the European Parliament (EU) represents 27 countries. These two separate institutions of European leaders have examined the issue thoroughly and come to the same conclusion regarding the need to protect citizens from electromagnetic radiation.

    The new resolutions adopted by PACE are consistent with the two     EU Parliament resolutions passed in 2008 and 2009, which highlighted the health risks of wireless technology (mobile phones, Wi-Fi / WiMAX, Bluetooth, DECT landline telephones), particularly to pregnant women, newborn babies and children.

    In addition, all (1) asserted that the     safety standard set by the World Health Organization (which Health Canada follows) is not only inadequate but outdated; and (2) affirmed that electrosensitivity is a valid physical disability, and electrosensitive patients require special protection.

    The followings are the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament     at near-unanimous votes (559-22 votes in 2009 and 522-16 votes in 2008):
    “wireless technology (mobile phones, Wi-Fi / WiMAX, Bluetooth, DECT landline telephones) emits EMFs that may have adverse effects on human health... particularly to young people whose brains are still developing”.
    "...the limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields which have been set for the general public are obsolete. They do not take account of developments in information and communication technologies or vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, newborn babies and children."
    the EU Parliament "calls on the Member States to follow the example of Sweden and to recognize persons that suffer from electrohypersensitivity as being disabled so as to grant them adequate protection as well as equal opportunities."
    http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ oeil/FindByProcnum.do?lang=en& procnum=INI/2008/2211
    http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ oeil/FindByProcnum.do?lang=en& procnum=INI/2007/2252
    http://www.org.feb.nu/FEB/AboutES.html
  
Some recent (May 2011) news on electromagnetic fields and health:

Does Health Canada have enough data to claim that 
EMFs and Wi-Fi are Safe for Children?

Canadian Parliamentary Committee Report: An Examination Of The Potential Health Impacts Of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation
Canadian scientists “pointed out that there were certain gaps in the existing literature related to long-term low-level exposure and brain functions and reproductive outcomes, as well as the effects of long-term exposure among children using mobile phones.They consequently  recommended that more long-term studies were necessary, as well as continuous review of the scientific literature. "
How can Health Canada say that cell phones and Wi-Fi are safe for children when they don't have enough data to back up the claim?

"Furthermore, they suggested that while they supported the existing guidelines, individuals who did have concerns could take individual measures to limit their exposure, such as limiting their use of mobile phones. ”
Parents can advise children not to use cell phones or stay away from people talking on cell phones, but how can children “take individual measures to limit their exposure” when non-discretionary Wi-Fi frequencies are emitted in the entire school buildings all day long?

On CBC TV, The National, September 9, 2010:

Ioanna Roumeliotis (CBC reporter ):
“The fact that there are no specific studies done on children. Does that concern you?”

Beth Pieterson (Health Canada spokesperson):
“Not for this. No, it doesn't concern me.”

Prof. Daniel Krewski (Director, R. Samuel McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Ottawa):
"We need to be concerned about susceptible population... Although there have been a large number of studies focusing on radio frequency fields. Everyone really is identifying children as an area where we do actually need more data. "

R. Samuel McLaughlin Centre Website Rfcom.ca:
Research – Young People
“In general, cell phone use, wireless computer networks and other new wireless telecommunication technologies such as blue-tooth devices have only been available since the last two decades. These technologies have also been used for longer periods by adults. Only recently have we seen an increase in radiofrequency field (RF) exposure from wireless telecommunication devices in young people. Since exposure to radiofrequency fields emitted from these devices is expected to increase among children and adolescents, researchers are now conducting more research on children for a number of reasons: (1) the belief that their developing neurological system may be more sensitive to the effects of RF, (2) the potential greater energy absorption in children’s brain relative to adults, and (3) the higher lifetime cumulative exposure associated with exposures to RF beginning at earlier ages. A number of countries and organizations have recommended a precautionary approach...”

Mobile Learning and Health Risks Slideshow 
by University of Tampere, Finland 
Based on presentation for Online Educa Berlin (2008). Slides updated in March, 2011
http://www.safeinschool.org/2011/03/mobile-learning-and-health-risks.html


Switzerland:



Israel's Position Paper on Electromagnetic Radiation in a School Environment - Nov 18, 2010)
"It is agreed by all, that the education system and the country are under a moral and legal obligation to protect the health of the students... there is no reason to use wireless technologies such as WLAN and Wi-Fi for computer networks in schools."


Austria: 
"The official advice of the Public Health Department of the Salzburg Region is not to use WLAN (Wi-Fi) and DECT in Schools or Kindergardens."


AUVA REPORT: Nonthermal Effects Confirmed; Exposure Limits Challenged; Precaution Demanded.
The Austrian Social Insurance for Occupational Risk (Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt) commissioned the Vienna Medical University to carry out its own research project in 2009
“These recommendations are especially important for children...This is now about the conflict between commercial interests of an industry supported by the government and the protection of public health... The ubiquitous exposure to this unnatural type of radiation at unprecedented levels of power density harms human health. Short-term and long-term health impairments are preprogrammed and will especially manifest in the next generation if politically responsible actions are not taken immediately.”



Russian National Committee of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection - 2008 report


2011 "Scientists Urge Halt of Wireless Rollout and Call for New Safety Standards: Warning Issued on Risks to Children and Pregnant Women"
Press Release from Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
Karolinska Institute is the highest-ranked medical university in Europe. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute appoints the laureates for the "Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine".


The World Health Organisation Standard

For years, the World Health Organization has been following the EMF standard set out by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection), down-playing the health effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs). The recent (May 31, 2010) classification of EMFs as a Type 2B Possible Carcinogen is a much needed and welcome change. However, the WHO's current EMF exposure limit, which only recognizes “Thermal Effects” from acute exposure, and does not consider the full range of “Biological Effects”, is still badly in need of revision. The EU Parliament called this standard “obsolete”, and the Council of Europe confirmed that government have to “reconsider the scientific basis ” of this WHO/ICNIRP standard. Hopefully change is on the way.

ICNIRP and the WHO's IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) used to be dominated by industry-affiliated scientists. Recent changes include the discovery of undisclosed conflict of interests and the subsequent removal of these industry-affiliated scientists from the IARC panel has allowed for more independent assessment of EMF's health effects:
Prof. Anders Ahlbom http://www.monanilsson.se/document/AhlbomConflictsIARCMay23.pdf
After leaving the IARC panel, Prof. Ahlbom has resigned also as Chairman of the Swedish Radiation Safety Scientific Council, in the midst of the council's investigation on his conflict of interests.

Repacholi admits interference from the industry at the WHO EMF project

Mike Repacholi - Head of WHO's EMF project
By Louis Slesin, PhD

Conflict of Interest & Bias in Health Advisory Committees: A case study of the WHO’s Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Task Group
By Dr. Don Maisch
Published in the Journal of the Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine - April 2006

Analysis of the WHO RW/MW exposure standards
Prepared for the New Zealand Ministries of Health and Environment
By Prof. Neil Cherry, Lincoln University, New Zealand

The Procrustean Approach Setting Exposure Standards for Telecommunications
Thesis by Dr. Don Maisch

Funding for EMF Studies

Source of Funding and Results of Studies of Health Effects of Mobile Phone Use: Systematic Review of Experimental Studies
Anke Huss1, Matthias Egger1,2, Kerstin Hug3, Karin Huwiler-Müntener1, Martin Röösli1
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland, Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Public or Charity-funded studies have  over 9 times the probability of reporting at least one statistically significant biological effect, compared to industry-funded studies.
 

“Radiation Research” and The Cult of Negative Results
Most non-industry funded studies found biological effects. Most industry-funded studies found no effect.

The Effects of Mobile Phones Electromagnetic Fields on Brian Electrical Activity: A Critical Analysis of the Literature.

“Overall, the doubt regarding the existence of reproducible mobile‐phone EMFs on brain activity.. it [the mobile phone industry] funded, partly or wholly, at least 87% of the reports. From an analysis of their cognitive framework, the common use of disclaimers, the absence of information concerning conflicts‐of‐interest, and the industry’s donations to the principal EMF journal, we inferred that the doubt was manufactured by the industry... Of the 48 studies supported by the MPI (mobile phone industry) 30 were positive and 18 were negative (38% negative)... all 7 studies not funded by the MPI were positive. Although the industry‐funded studies were significantly more likely to be negative... no two positive studies reported the same effect... Thus the apparent message of the studies dovetailed well with the MPI position that there are no reproducible biological effects, and did so without denying the existence of EMF‐induced bioeffects, which was the tactical error made by the electric power industry thirty years ago. If the investigators funded by the MPI had published only negative studies, the industry research program would not have passed the laugh test... Sixty‐two percent positive served to both protect the interests of the industry and still sustain the appearance that its position was based on scientific experiments... The legitimization process had the hallmark of a well‐designed legal strategy. Any peer‐reviewed report claiming to have shown that mobile‐phone EMFs affected brain electrical activity, particularly a report funded by the MPI, is potential evidence in a court case on behalf of a party adverse to the industry. Inclusion of a disclamatory statement in the original publication is a strategy that tends to blunt such uses by a plaintiff. Of the 30 MPI‐funded studies that were self‐designated as positive, 22 contained a disclamatory statement... From a scientific perspective the disclamatory statements were puerile, and it would be naive to suppose that so many investigators spontaneously decided to include them. More likely, the disclaimers were explicit or implicit requirements of the funder, with or without the agreement of the authors.”

http://andrewamarino.com/PDFs/CellphoneEMFs-Review.pdf


Excess Risk of Brain Cancer with 5 Years or More and/or Cellphone Use on Same Side of Head as Tumor Location or, Combinations of Wireless Phone Use: Interphone Results Versus Swedish Team Results

Independently-Funded Research (BLUE diamond) overwhelmingly found increasing risk of Brain Cancer, while Cellphone Industry-Funded Research found decreasing risk mostly.



On the original webpage, you can click on points on the graph to get the reference information.


Industry Funded Cell Phone Study Ignores Evidence, Whitewashes Results http://truthonmedecine.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/industry-funded-cell-phone-study-ignores-evidence-whitewashes-results/



Some Studies on the Biological Effects from 2.45Ghz (Wi-Fi range) Radiofrequencey



Effects Of Wi-Fi Signals On The P300 Component Of Event-Related Potentials During An Auditory Hayling Task

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to investigate the immediate effects of Wi-Fi signals upon brain operation, specifically on the P300 ERP component... As far as the different Hayling tasks are concerned, results show significantly decreased amplitude values for the response inhibition condition in a large area of the brain.”




Wi-Fi Electromagnetic Fields Exert Gender Related Alterations On EEG

“It is concluded that Wi-Fi may influence normal physiology through changes in gender related cortical excitability as it is reflected by the alpha and beta EEG frequencies.”


Mutagenic response of 2.45 GHz radiation exposure on rat brain.
"The authors conclude that the chronic exposure to 2.45 GHz microwaves may cause a significant damage to the brain, which may be an indication of possible tumour promotion."

Single strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells exposed to microwave radiation.
"The data showed that the chronic exposure to 2.45 and 16.5 GHz under these experimental conditions caused a statistically significant increase in DNA single-strand breaks (increase in the length of DNA migration) in brain cells of rats."

Some behavioral effects of short-term exposure of rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation.
"Microwave-exposed animals exhibited less activity than sham-exposed animals... Both the locomotor activity and acoustic startle data demonstrate that, under the conditions of this experiment, microwave exposure may alter responsiveness of rats to novel environmental conditions or stimuli."

Erythropoietic changes in rats after 2.45 GHz nonthermal irradiation.
"In the applied experimental condition, RF/MW radiation might cause disturbance in red cell maturation and proliferation, and induce micronucleus formation in erythropoietic cells."

Genotoxic effects of low 2.45 GHz microwave radiation exposures on Sprague Dawley rats.
"We conclude that low SAR 2.45 GHz MW radiation exposures can induce DNA single strand breaks and the direct genome analysis of DNA of various tissues demonstrated potential for genotoxicity."

Effects of exposure to 2.45 GHZ microwave radiation on male rat reproductive system.
"Conclusion: MW radiation exposures caused reduction in sperm counts and motility and increased the proportion of abnormal sperm cells and induced reduction in sperm count and motility while increasing the proportion of abnormal sperm cells."

Testicular apoptosis and histopathological changes induced by a 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field.
"Electromagnetic field affects spermatogenesis and causes to apoptosis due to the heat and other stress-related events in testis tissue."

Effects of 2.45 GHz microwaves on meiotic chromosomes of male CBA/CAY mice.
"The findings are interpreted to indicate interference with normal spermatogenesis during the exposure period."

Effects of microwave at 2.45 GHz radiations on reproductive system of male rats.
"Chronic exposure to these radiations produced formation of apoptotic cells in testis. In addition, a significant decrease in the levels of GPx, and SOD activities as well as an increase in CAT activity was observed in the exposed group. These results indicate that a low level exposure of microwave radiations exerts a negative impact on male reproductive system function."

Laptop expositions affect motility and induce DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa in vitro by a nonthermal effect: a preliminary report.
"We have demonstrated that exposure to laptops decrease progressive motility and induce DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa in vitro by a non-thermal effect. We speculate that keeping the laptops (WiFi mode) on the lap near the testes may result in decreased male fertility."http://www.safeschool.ca/uploads/Laptop_Expositions.pdf

Provocation study using heart rate variability shows microwave radiation from DECT phone (2.45 Ghz) affects autonomic nervous system.
M. Havas, J. Marrongelle, B. Pollner, E. Kelley, C.R.G. Rees, L. Tully
European Journal of Oncology Library Vol. 5, 273-300
"This is the first study that documents immediate and dramatic changes in both Heart Rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) associated with MW exposure at levels well below (0.5%) federal guidelines in Canada and the United States (1000 microW/cm2)."
DNA Strand Breaks in Rat Brain Cells Exposed to Low level Microwave Radiation (2.4 GHz)- Environmental Sciences
http://www.ursi.org/proceedings/procGA08/papers/K02bp2.pdf

Some Studies on Biological Effects from Cell Phone Towers (pulsed Microwave Radiation similar to Wi-Fi)

Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations. Neurotoxicology. 28(2):434-40 Abdel-Rassoul G, El-Fateh OA, Salem MA, Michael A, Farahat F, El-Batanouny M, Salem E (March 2007).
"Inhabitants living nearby mobile phone base stations are at risk for developing neuropsychiatric problems and some changes in the performance of neurobehavioral functions either by facilitation or inhibition. So, revision of standard guidelines for public exposure to RER from mobile phone base station antennas and using of NBTB (neurobehavioral test battery) for regular assessment and early detection of biological effects among inhabitants around the stations are recommended."http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16962663

GSM base station electromagnetic radiation and oxidative stress in rats.
Electromagn Biol Med. ;25(3):177-88Yurekli AI, Ozkan M, Kalkan T, Saybasili H, Tuncel H, Atukeren P, Gumustas K, Seker S (2006).
"When EM fields at a power density of 3.67 W/m2 (specific absorption rate = 11.3 mW/kg), which is well below current exposure limits, were applied, MDA (malondialdehyde - a marker for oxidative stress) level was found to increase and GSH (reduced glutathione, a major antioxidant) concentration was found to decrease significantly (p < 0.0001). Additionally, there was a less significant (p = 0.0190) increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity (cell-repair) under EM exposure."http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16954120

Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards From Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods. EU Programme.
"Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources" - [View Foreword and Download Report]
"Genotoxic effects and a modified expression of numerous genes and proteins after EMF exposure could be demonstrated with great certainty... Since all these observations were made in in vitro studies, the results obtained neither preclude nor confirm a health risk due to EMF exposure, but they speak in favour of such a possibility."http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20041222_reflex.asp

Investigation on the health of people living near mobile telephone relay stations: I/Incidence according to distance and sex.
Pathol Biol (Paris). 50(6):369-73Santini R, Santini P, Danze JM, Le Ruz P, Seigne M (July 2002).
"Women significantly more often than men (p < 0.05) complained of headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, depression, discomfort and visual perturbations. This first study on symptoms experienced by people living in vicinity of base stations shows that, in view of radio protection, minimal distance of people from cellular phone base stations should not be < 300 m."http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12168254

Symptoms experienced by people in vicinity of base stations: II/ Incidences of age, duration of exposure, location of subjects in relation to the antennas and other electromagnetic factors.
Santini R, Santini P, Danze JM, Le Ruz P, Seigne M (September 2003). . Pathol Biol (Paris). 51(7):412-5
"Our results show significant increase (p < 0.05) in relation with age of subjects (elder subjects are more sensitive) and also, that the facing location is the worst position for some symptoms studied, especially for distances till 100 m from base stations."http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12948762

Possible Effects of Electromagnetic Fields from Phone Masts on a Population of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).
Balmori Alfonso (2005).  Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 24: 109-119
"Total productivity (number of young per couple, including nests with 0 chicks) for nests within 200m of the antenna was 0.86 (0.7 - 1.02), whereas productivity for nests further than 300m away was 1.6 (1.46- 1.74). Both were statistically significant, with a p value of 0.001. A large part of the difference here appears to be due to the likelihood of the couples in the nests near the mast (cell tower) not having any chicks: 40% of those within 200m had no chicks, whereas in the nests greater than 300m away only 3.3% did not have chicks! Odd behaviour was also noted in the storks, happening much more frequently the closer the nests were to the masts."http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20051006_storks.asp

Increased incidence of cancer near a cell-phone transmitter station.Wolf R, Wolf D (April 2004). International Journal of Cancer Prevention Vol1, No2  - [Download Report]
"The measured level of RF radiation (power density) in the area was low; far below the current guidelines based on the thermal effects of RF exposure. We suggest, therefore, that the current guidelines be re-evaluated. The enormous short latency period; less than 2 years, indicates that if there is a real causal association between RF radiation emitted from the cell-phone base station and the cancer cases (which we strongly believe there is), then the RF radiation should have a very strong promoting effect on cancer at very low radiation!... Such unusual appearances of cancer cases due to one accused factor on two completely different occasions is alarming."

The Influence of Being Physically Near to a Cell Phone Transmission Mast on the Incidence of Cancer. 
Horst Eger, Klaus Uwe Hagen, Birgitt Lucas, Peter Vogel, Helmut Voit (April 2004). Umwelt Medizin Gesellschaft 17
"People living within 400 metres of the mast in Naila had three times the risk of developing cancer than those living further away. This seems to be an undeniable clustering of cancer cases."
http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20041118_naila.asp

The Microwave Syndrome - Further aspects of a Spanish Study.
Oberfeld Gerd, Navarro A. Enrique, Portoles Manuel, Maestu Ceferino, Gomez-Perretta Claudio (August 2004).  Conference Proceedings.
"All models showed statistical significant associations between the measured electric field (~ 400 MHz – 3 GHz) and 13 out of 16 health related symptoms. The strongest five associations found are depressive tendency, fatigue, sleeping disorder, difficulty in concentration and cardiovascular problems. The symptoms associated are in line with the symptoms reported in the literature as “Microwave Syndrom... Based on the data of this study the advice would be to strive for levels not higher than 0.02 V/m for the sum total, which is equal to a power density of 0.0001 μW/cm²...”.http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20040809_spain.asp


Mobile Telecommunications and Health
Review of the Current Scientific Research in view of Precautionary Health Protection (2000)
by ECOLOG-Institut and Commissioned by T‐Mobil Germany (DeTeMobil Deutsche Telekom MobilNet GmbH)
"This review of over 220 peer-reviewed and published papers found strong indications for the cancer-initiating and cancer-promoting ... genotoxic effects of these fields, like single and double stranded DNA breaks and damage to chromosomes. The findings that high frequency electromagnetic fields influence cell transformation, cell growth promotion and cell communication also point on a carcinogenic potential of the fields used for mobile telephony. The study also found teratogenic effects (birth deformities) and loss of fertility... Moreover, disruptions of other cellular processes, like the synthesis of proteins and the control of cell functions by enzymes, have been demonstrated... effects on the central nervous system, which reach from neuro-chemical effects to modifications of the brain potentials and impairments of certain brain functions. Loss of memory and cognitive function...Possible risks for the brain also arise from an increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier to potentially harmful substances, observed in several experiments on animals exposed to mobile telephone fields.
The ECOLOG report also found indications for disruptions of the endocrine and the immune system...stress reactions... increased production of stress hormones...reduction of the concentration of the hormone melatonin.... Melatonin has a central control function for the hormone system and the diurnal biological rhythms and it is able to retard the development of certain tumours. A common observation in many of the studies was the importance of pulse modulation. Pulse modulated fields seemed to have a stronger effect than continuous fields and that in some cases, it was the pulse of a certain frequency which triggered the reaction..."  


Report on Cell Tower Radiation
Department of Telecommunication), Delhi, India
Prepared by Prof. Girish Kumar gkumar@ee.iitb.ac
Electrical Engineering Department IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumai – 400 076 - December 2010
Conclusion: "The seriousness of the health hazards due to radiation from the cell phones and cell towers has not been realized among the common man. Cell operators continue to claim that there are no health issues. Even organizations like WHO, ICNIRP, FCC, etc. have not recommended stricter safe radiation guidelines, whereas several countries have adopted radiation norms, which are 1/100th to 1/1000th of these values based on their studies. Cell phone industry is becoming another cigarette industry, which kept claiming that smoking is not harmful and now there are millions of people around the world who have suffered from smoking. In fact, cell phone/tower radiation is worse than smoking; as one cannot see it or smell it, and its effect on health is noted after a long period of exposure.... Unfortunately, ignorance and non-awareness adds to this misery and all of us are absorbing this slow poison unknowingly. Even if people are aware of the radiation hazard, they may not have the choice to move away from it if the tower is installed near their office or residential building. In addition to the continuous radiation from cell towers, there is radiation from cell phones, wireless phones, computers, laptops, TV towers, FM towers, AM towers, microwave ovens, etc. We are exposed to all these radiations which are additive in nature. Hence, it is imperative that stricter radiation norms must be enforced by the policy makers... If people in the mobile companies think there is no health hazard, then let them stand in front of their own transmitting tower at 1m distance in the main beam for 6 hours – are they willing to take the risk? Similar effect will be there at 10m distance in about 600 hours (25 days). If mobile companies accept that radiation causes serious health problems... then researchers/technocrats/entrepreneurs will come out with possible solutions, which may be expensive but that cannot be greater than the health risk faced by humans, birds, animals and environment."
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3AkFpxy4q9yZGFlMmRlNDItN2JlNi00NDIzLThjYzItOWE0MDE1ZDlkYjNi


Health Effects Of Cell Tower Radiation
by Dr. Martin Blank
“...the most convincing evidence of potential harm comes from living cells themselves when they start to manufacture stress proteins upon exposure to EMF. The stress response occurs with a number of potentially harmful environmental factors, such as elevated temperature, changes in pH, toxic metals, etc. This means that when stress protein synthesis is stimulated by radiofrequency or power frequency EMF, the body is telling us in its own language that RF exposure is potentially harmful.”
Dr. Martin Blank's CV


More Studies on EMF Radiation


The Bioinitiative Report
Review of over 2,000 scientific studies on electromagnetic fields, by independent (non-industry-funded) scientists.
http://www.bioinitiative.org/freeaccess/report/index.htm

China (Why their microwave exposure limit is 100 times more stringent than Canada's)http://www.salzburg.gv.at/Proceedings_%2820%29_Chiang.pdf

2009 Porto Alegre Resolution - signed by over 100 scientists and organizations
http://www.icems.eu/docs/resolutions/Porto_Alegre_Resolution.pdf
 
2008 Venice Italy Resolution 2008 - signed by 57 scientists
http://www.icems.eu/resolution.htm
 
2002 Freiburger Appeal signed by over 6000 doctors to date
http://www.laleva.cc/environment/freiburger_appeal.html
 
2011 International Association of Fire Fighters' Position on the Health Effects from Radio Frequency/Microwave (RF/MW) Radiation in Fire Department Facilities
http://www.iaff.org/hs/Facts/CellTowerFinal.asp#ref23

2008 Dr. Fred Gilbert (Biologist), President of Lakehead University in Ontario and Head of Northern Ontario Medical Board explained why he decided to remove Wi-Fi from Lakehead University's main campus:
http://magazine.lakeheadu.ca/page.php?p=81
 
2008–2009 Annual Report by President’s Cancer Panel
http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/annualReports/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf
 
2010 Canadian Parliamentary Hearing on "Health Impacts of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation"
“If we want to wait for final proof, at least in terms of cancer, it may still take 20 years and the issue will become that we will not have unexposed population to act as control... But we have enough data to go ahead with a precautionary principle to avoid exposures which are unnecessary if our goal is to reduce somewhat the burden of cancer in the years to come and other chronic diseases.”
Director of Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, USA.
Doctoral training from Harvard. 25 years cancer epidemiology at International Agency for Research on Cancer (World Health Organization):


Lloyd's of London compared EMF to asbestos


Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools
We have made our schools nuts-free, scent-free, even free of foods and beverages with high salt/sugar/fat contents (french fries, sugary drinks, artificial sweeteners etc) even tho' they are considered “safe” by Health Canada's standard.
Could we not apply the same approach on health and safety for microwave radiation?

Wi-Fi Measurement
BC Centre of Disease Control (Pg2)
Ontario School Board Report (Pg13)
Note: 1 mW/cm2 (milliwatts/cm2) = 1000 μW/cm2 (microwatts/cm2)

The Precautionary Principle
 
According to “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – 2005 World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology":The Precautionary Principle is the international guideline for governments to deal with potential health crisis when consensus in science is not yet available. According to “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – 2005 World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology":When human activities may lead to morally unacceptable harm that is scientifically plausible but uncertain, actions shall be taken to avoid or diminish that harm.

Morally unacceptable harm refers to harm to humans or the environment that is
- threatening to human life or health, or
- serious and effectively irreversible, or
- inequitable to present or future generations, or
- imposed without adequate consideration of the human rights of those affected.
Actions are interventions that are undertaken before harm occurs that seek to avoid or diminish the harm.


Some Studies and Reports conducted by Reputable Institutions Worldwide that do not support Health Canada's Position on Electromagnetic Radiation


Wireless Devices, Standards, and Microwave Radiation in the Education Environment 


Dr. David McKeown Medical Officer of Health to Toronto Board of Health (2007)
Subject: Prudent Avoidance Policy on Siting Telecommunication Towers and Antennas
“The Board of Health should encourage Health Canada to review current standards and set public exposure limits for RFs under Safety Code 6 so as to be 100 times more protective.”
http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/boh_report.pdf
  
Dr. David Mckeown's Technical Report
http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/technical_report.pdf 
Analysis of Health and Environmental Effects of Proposed San Francisco Earthlink Wi-Fi Network (2007)
http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/pdfs/20061232_havas.pdf


Declassified U.S. Navy Report on the Biological Effects of Microwave Radiation
This 1971 report referenced more than 2300 research articles listing more than 120 illnesses caused by radio frequency and microwave radiation including damage to the thyroid, blood, reproductive organs, heart and brain in addition to cell mutations.

Environmental Pollution on Microwave Radiation - A Potential Threat to Human Health
A 1973 Canadian Research Report
"In view of the expected proliferation of MW devices in many different applications, a substantial increase in MW background activity is feared that may endanger human health. On this basis strict control of the use of these devices must be introduced while present safety standards are revised and extensive research is conducted into long term effects of exposure to low intensity MW radiation. In particular, a study of possible accumulative effects of MW radiation (directly or indirectly) through sensitization must be conducted . Systematic investigations of the weak interactions of MW fields with complex biological systems must be conducted together with exploratory experiments to determine the importance of the magnetic field associated with the EM wave."


Non-Thermal Effects And Mechanisms Of Interaction Between Electromagnetic Fields And Living Matter
National Institute for the Study and Control of Cancer and Environmental Diseases “Bernardino Ramazzini” Bologna, Italy 2010


2011 International Association of Fire Fighters' Position on the Health Effects from Radio Frequency/Microwave (RF/MW) Radiation in Fire Department Facilities
“There are established biological effects from exposure to low-level RF/MW radiation. Such biological effects are recognized as markers of adverse health effects when they arise from exposure to toxic chemicals.... “

Greater Victoria Teachers' Association on Wi-Fi

Saanich School District Technology Policy
14 a. There will be no wi-fi installations in elementary schools.
    b. In middle and secondary schools, managed wi-fi environments may be
    installed in adult workplaces including staff rooms and offices as necessary.
    c. Middle schools will have up to 25% coverage of student areas (with the
    understanding being that there will be spillover of the signal as described in
    Guiding Principles 12), with the locations to be determined in accordance
    with educational needs as described in IEPs and overall educational needs
    for the school as determined with staff and the Parent Advisory Council.

Campaign for Safer Cell Phones - Briefing Book


Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)