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Research Citations on the Health Hazards
of Cell Phone and Cordless Telephone Use, Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi), and other Radio Frequencies (RF)
Note: For a separate list of articles on the dangers of electro-magnetic
fields in general,
click here.
Note: For a separate list of links to video and audio clips on cell phone
risks,
click here.
Note: To view a PDF version of the slides presented at Oram's
lecture on Steps to Minimize Exposure to Electro-Magnetic Fields,
click here. To view a Text Only version of the
same slides, click here.
Note: To see a list of websites where you can purchase EMF shielding and
protection devices, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Note:
To learn steps you can take in your own home to safeguard yourself against EMF exposure,
click on Tips for a Healthy Home to read
and print out a handout on the subject. This same topic is discussed in more detail
in Articles Part 3.
Page last updated June 14, 2008.
BioInitiative Report from the
State University of New York at Albany
"A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields
(ELF and RF)"
Twenty scientists and researchers from around the world reviewed over 2,000 studies on EMFs. They
found a link between EMFs, cancer and other health problems.
From their August 31, 2007 press release:
"An international working group of scientists, researchers and public health policy
professionals (The BioInitiative Working Group) has released its report on electromagnetic
fields (EMF) and health. They document serious scientific concerns about current limits
regulating how much EMF is allowable from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of
EMF exposure in daily life.
"The report concludes the existing standards for public safety are inadequate to protect
public health."
To view the entire press release, click
here and choose the PDF of web-based version.
To view the entire report, click
here.
Interview with Cindy Sage,
co-editor of the
BioInitiative Report, on
Environmental Options Network.
In this 38 minute interview, EMF expert Cindy Sage of
Sage Consulting discusses the findings and concerns raised in the report.
This is a comprehensive overview of the health challenges we all face from everyday exposure to
EMFs produced by powerlines and wireless devices.
To begin the Environmental Options Network interview, click
here to
link to the website for the Environmental Options Network. Then, on their home page, scroll down
to "Latest EON Planetarian Activist Interviews - video on line,"
then click on "Cindy Sage - The BioInitiative Report..." That will bring up the video.
You can also purchase a DVD of the interview for $15 plus shipping.
Interview with Cindy Sage,
co-editor of the
BioInitiative Report,
at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.
On March 19, 2008, a panel of scientists presented at San Francisco's Commonwealth Club at an
event called: "Microwave Radiation: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution". Scientists on
the panel included leading public health expert David Carpenter, MD, Cindy Sage, Co-Facilitator
of the Collaborative for Health & the Environment's EMF Working Group and Prof. Magda Havas, PhD.
To begin the Commonwealth Club interview, click
here to go to the Commonwealth Club website's Archives page. Then scroll down to
"Microwave Radiation: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution" recorded on
March 19, 2008. Then click on "Listen" to listen for free or, purchase a recording of
the presentation.
Cell Phone Cover-Up, Is Your Brain at Risk?
"Brain expert warns of huge rise in tumours and calls on industry to take
immediate steps to reduce radiation"
Written by Byron J. Richards, CCN on April 16, 2008 for
News With Views
From the article: "The latest stone thrown at the 200-billion-dollar-a-year cell phone
industry came from a study by neurosurgeon Vini G. Khurana entitled
Mobile Phone-Brain Tumour: Public Health Advisory. His meta-analysis of existing
cell phone studies
may not contain a lot of new information, but his rather alarming message
was carried by media around the world: 'there is a growing body of
statistically significant evidence for a relationship between the overall
length of use of a mobile phone and the delayed occurrence of a brain tumor
on the same side of the head as the "preferred side" for mobile phone
usage.' He claimed a 2-4 fold increased risk following 10 years of regular
use. (emphasis added) The study, by Dr Vini Khurana, is the most devastating
indictment yet published of the health risks."
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
Mobile phones 'more dangerous than smoking'
"Brain expert warns of huge rise in tumours and calls on industry to take
immediate steps to reduce radiation"
Written by Geoffrey Lean on March 30, 2008 for London's newspaper,
The Independent
From the article: "Mobile phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos, a study
by an award-winning cancer expert has concluded. He says people should
avoid using them wherever possible and that governments and the mobile
phone industry must take 'immediate steps' to reduce exposure to their
radiation."
The study, by Dr Vini Khurana, is the most devastating indictment yet
published of the health risks."
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
Cell Phone Radiation Triggers Measurable Brain Cell Changes in Mere Minutes
"Brain expert warns of huge rise in tumours and calls on industry to take
immediate steps to reduce radiation"
Written by David Gutierrez on December 29, 2007
From the article: "As little as 10 minutes on a cell phone can trigger changes in
brain cells linked to cell division and cancer, suggests a new study
conducted by researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel
and published in the
Biochemical Journal.
"Previously, advocates of cell-phone safety have maintained that the phones
cannot cause brain damage because the microwave radiation that they emit is
at a level too low to heat the body's cells. But in the new study, changes
in biological processes began at an energy level even lower than that used
by a typical phone, even without heating occurring...
"There was no direct evidence of cancer inducement in the current study.
However, the researchers point out that the changes occurring at the low
radiation level were non-thermal in nature, something previously said to be
impossible. Thus, the study challenges the entire basis on which cell
phones' presumption of safety has been based.
"'The significance lies in showing cells do react to cell-phone radiation in
a non-thermal way,' said co-author Rony Seger. 'We used radiation power
levels that were around one tenth of those produced by a normal mobile. The
changes we observed were clearly not caused by heating.'
"'This helps explain why mobile phone radiation has been linked to increases
in cancer tumors,' said consumer health advocate Mike Adams. 'Until now,
skeptics have said the radiation wasn't intense enough to cause cells to
overheat, but now we're learning there can be significant cellular changes
taking place at far lower levels of exposure.'
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
The WiFi Blues
Written by Jeffrey Fawcett on July 26, 2007 for
The Townsend Letter, a journal on alternative medicine.
This is an excellent article on the health effects of wireless Internet technology,
particularly city-wide Wi-Fi service now being deployed in cities around the country,
including Minneapolis. This is very important information.
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
Cloud of worry gathers over wireless health risks
Written by Doreen Carvajal on September 23, 2007 for
The International Herald Tribune Business Section.
From the article: "'The exposure to electromagnetic fields is rising, and it's widespread,'
said Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Environmental Agency, a
European Union institution. 'So, come what may, we should be anticipating that even with a
low dose, but with wide exposure, this will require much more inspection.'
"...school officials are looking for reassurance. Teacher associations in Britain are
demanding further analysis before schools introduce wireless computer networks, and the city
of Frankfurt is being even more cautious - school officials there decided last year not to
install wireless systems until there was more health research.
"This month, the French Health Ministry ordered the country's Agency for Environmental and
Occupational Health Safety to prepare a review of available scientific information about
the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from cellphones and Wi-Fi.
"Members of the Green Party in the German Parliament have also pressed the government with
similar questions this summer. In response, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection
advised limiting use of mobile phones and wireless networks as a precaution until more is
known.
"'Our main concern is to keep the total exposure of electric magnetic fields as low as possible,
especially in schools and kindergartens,' said Sylvia Kotting-Uhl, a member of the German
Bundestag and spokesman for the Green Party on the issue. 'We will force the government to
take their own warnings seriously and to favor cable-based technology.'"
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
EU calls for urgent action on wi-fi radiation
Written by Geoffrey Lean on September 16, 2007 for
The New Zealand Herald.
From the article: "Europe's top environmental watchdog is calling for immediate action to
reduce exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi, mobile phones and their masts (towers). It suggests
that delay could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking and lead
in petrol.
"The warning, from the EU's European Environment Agency (EEA) follows an international
scientific review which concluded that safety limits set for the radiation are 'thousands
of times too lenient', and an official British report last week which concluded that it could
not rule out the development of cancers from using mobile phones...
"The scientific review, produced by the international
BioInitiative Working Group of leading
scientists and public health and policy experts, says the 'explosion of new sources has created
unprecedented levels of artificial electromagnetic fields that now cover all but remote areas
of the habitable space on Earth', causing 'long-term and cumulative exposure' to 'massively
increased' radiation that 'has no precedent in human history'.
It says 'corrections are needed in the way we accept, test and deploy' the technologies
'in order to avert public health problems of a global nature'."
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
Germany warns citizens to avoid using Wi-Fi
Published on September 9, 2007 in London's newspaper,
The Independent
From the article: "People should avoid using Wi-Fi wherever possible because of the
risks it may pose to health, the German government has said.
"Its surprise ruling Ð the most damning made by any government on the
fast-growing technology Ð will shake the industry...
"And Germany's official radiation protection body also advises its
citizens to use landlines instead of mobile phones, and warns of
'electrosmog' from a wide range of other everyday products, from baby
monitors to electric blankets.
"The Environment Ministry recommended that people should keep their
exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi 'as low as possible' by choosing
'conventional wired connections'. It added that it is 'actively
informing people about possibilities for reducing personal exposure'.
"Florian Emrich, for (the German Federal Office for
Radiation Protection), says Wi-Fi should be avoided 'because
people receive exposures from many sources and because it is a new
technology and all the research into its health effects has not yet
been carried out'."
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
BBC Documentary on Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
This is a 30 minute clip from the BBC program, "Panorama."
The episode focuses on wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) in England and shows how Wi-Fi
is being removed from schools in Europe. They also cover electro-magnetic sensitivity in general
and how the Swedish government is helping their EMF-sensitive citizens, who make up 3% of that
country's population.
"The Largest Biological Experiment Ever"
Arthur Firstenberg's excellent review of the medical dangers of cell phone use and
exposure to radio frequencies in general. Appeared in the January 2006 issue of the
El Dorado Sun Monthly Magazine.
The Radiation Poisoning of America
By Amy Worthington, published by the
Centre for Research on Globalization in Montreal on October 9, 2007.
A thorough and startling review of the march towards saturation of the inhabitable space on earth
with man-made wireless transmissions and their effects on human health. Many case studies are
presented documenting these effects. The author also covers the behind-the-scenes politics
worldwide, particularly in this country, that has allowed this technology to spread. The article
is long but well worth the read.
The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety
From the website: "The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) is a non-profit organization
that promotes research to protect public health from electromagnetic fields and develops the
scientific basis and strategies for assessment, prevention, management and communication of risk,
based on the precautionary principle."
Microwave News
One of the leading websites on the health effects of radio frequency and other EMF exposure.
A watchdog organization that has been providing helpful information to the public for years.
Sign up for their free email alerts.
Canadian Human Rights Commission
A review of the medical effects of environmental sensitivities
as well as recommendations to protect occupants from
electro-magnetic field exposure in building codes.
The citation article is entitled, "Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities"
by Margaret E. Sears (M.Eng., Ph.D.)
She writes, "'Electromagnetic radiation' covers a broad range of frequencies
(over 20 orders of magnitude), from low frequencies in electricity supplies, radiowaves and
microwaves, infrared and visible
light, to x-rays and cosmic rays. Our limited understanding of the biological effects of the
vast majority of frequencies gives reason for concern..."
"Given the seriousness of the adverse effects and the availability of alternative technologies,
a precautionary approach is warranted."
Safe Wireless Initiative
Website for Dr. George L. Carlo, Chairman and Founder of the Science and Public Policy
Institute.
Dr. Carlo is one of the leading researchers on the health risks
of exposure to wireless technologies and information carrying radio frequencies. He was a consultant to
a group of concerned citizens in Rancho Santa Fe, California (north of San Diego) regarding the
deployment of a city-wide Wi-Fi system. Click
here and scroll down to the posting on March 5, 2007 entitled,
"Data presented on wireless options" to read about his concerns and recommendations.
Dr. Carlo also debunks the Danish study widely reported in early 2007 that purportedly claimed that
there was no substantial link between cell phone use and brain cancer in the Danish population.
Link to the paper from the
Safe Wireless Initiative website home page or click
here for a direct link to a PDF version of Dr. Carlo's paper.
Two articles appeared in April 2007 in London's
The Independent
on the dangers of wi-fi:
1.
"DANGER ON THE AIRWAVES: IS THE WI-FI REVOLUTION A HEALTH TIME BOMB?"
By Geoffrey Lean (published: April 22, 2007)
2.
"WI-FI: CHILDREN AT RISK FROM 'ELECTRONIC SMOG'"
By Geoffrey Lean (Also published: April 22, 2007)
From the articles: "Sir William Stewart, the man who has issued the
most authoritative British warnings about the hazards of mobiles, is
becoming worried about the spread of Wi-Fi. The chairman of the Health
Protection Agency -- and a former chief scientific adviser to the Government
-- is privately pressing for an official investigation of the risks it may
pose."
"...we are all now living in a
soup of electromagnetic radiation one billion times stronger than the
natural fields in which living cells have developed over the last 3.8
billion years."
"Scientists demand inquiry over Wi-Fi" News article from the
British Newspaper,
The Independent
By Jonathan Owen (published: April 29, 2007)
"The health risks posed by Wi-Fi technology should be investigated by eminent scientists
to ensure that a generation will not be damaged by growing levels of 'electronic smog'."
"'The research hasn't been done. Therefore we cannot assume that there are no effects,'
said Dennis Henshaw, professor of human radiation at Bristol University. "'I would be in
favour of an inquiry into the dangers of Wi-Fi. This technology is being wheeled out without
any checks and balances.'
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
"Wi-fi: should we be worried?" News article from the
British Newspaper,
The Times of London
By Nicki Daniels (published: December 11, 2006)
"Concern about the safety of wireless networks is mounting, with people blaming everything
from headaches to cancer on the technology"
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
"Health concerns over mobile phone masts (towers) prompt review" News article from the
British Newspaper,
The Independent
By Marie Woolf and Geoffrey Lean (published: May 13, 2007)
"Ministers are to investigate arrangements for erecting mobile phone masts (towers) in the
light of
growing fears that they may cause cancer and other diseases because of 'electronic smog'."
"They will review the exceptionally favourable rules that allow mobile phone companies to
escape normal planning regulations and stop councils from considering the effects of the masts
on health, even when they are sited near homes and schools."
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
"Cell Phone Users 240 Percent More Prone to Brain Tumors"
An article from Dr. Mercola's website, released originally on Wired News on 3/31/06,
reporting on a recently completed study in Sweden that contradicts earlier studies
by other governments that cell phone use is safe.
"Long-term use of cellular phones and brain tumours - increased risk
associated with use for more than 10 years"
This article was published online on April 4, 2007 in the journal of
Occupational Environmental Medicine.
From the abstract: "The available epidemiological studies of long-term cell phone users
point to a 'consistent pattern' of increased risks of acoustic
neuromas and brain tumors, according to a new analysis by the Hardell-
Mild team in Sweden." Click
here to read the entire article.
The Association for Comprehensive Neurotherapy
This clinic in Florida treats children with autism. Their website contains a thorough
compendium of studies from Europe
on the adverse health effects of wireless
communications and radio frequencies. Well worth reading if you
have a teenager who uses a cell phone (or you use one yourself).
"Health fears lead schools to dismantle wireless networks" News article from the
British Newspaper,
The Times of London
By Joanna Bale (published: November 20, 2006)
"Parents and teachers are forcing some schools to dismantle wireless computer networks
amid fears that they could damage children's health...many parents and some scientists fear
that low levels of microwave radiation emitted by the transmitters could be harmful, causing
loss of concentration, headaches, fatigue, memory and behavioural problems and possibly cancer
in the long term. Scientific evidence is inconclusive, but some researchers think that children
are vulnerable because of their thinner skulls and developing nervous systems."
Read the entire article by clicking
here.
"Harmful Frequencies Generated by TDMA (Cell Phone) Technology and
Non-Thermal Effect at Very Low Power Density"
A posting by a fellow Building Biologist,
Larry Gust, containing a
Lancet article discussing the
effects of low frequencies from wireless communications on human health. This is
an excellent primer on the basics of cell phone technology and brings to light the
fact that even low frequency radiation in very low power densities, generally thought to be
harmless, in fact has a damaging effect on subtle bioelectrical processes
with which the frequencies resonate within our bodies.
From the article: "Although safety guidelines -- to
which mobile telephones and their base-stations conform -- do protect against excessive microwave
heating, there is evidence that the low intensity, pulsed radiation currently used can exert
subtle non-thermal influences... The radiation used is indeed of very low intensity, but an
oscillatory similitude (emphasis added) between this pulsed microwave radiation and
certain electrochemical activities of the living human being should prompt concern."
To read the entire article, click
here.
Dr. Joseph Mercola
Website for this health and prevention-oriented Chicago-based MD.
Do a search on his website for the term "cell phones".
Purchase Cell Phone Radiation Shielding and Reduction Devices from the Following Retailers
(some websites also contain research citations):
Less EMF
A resource for information on and products for detecting and shielding electric,
magnetic, and radio frequency fields, including air tube earphones and "snap beads," which are
small ferrite beads that close around the wire of your earphone like a clam shell. We recommend
you get two and place one near the bottom of the cord where it plugs into the phone and place
the second one about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up the wire. This reduces exposure to the radiation picked up
by the cord through resonance from the signal being broadcast from the antenna of your cell phone as
well as from other cell phones and cell towers in your neighborhood.
If your cell phone does not support the air tube ear phone, even with an adapter, then use the
wired earphone supplied by the cell phone manufacturer and place snap beads on the wire as
described above. Do whatever you can to get the cell phone away from your body (don't put it in your
pocket when you are on a call). Also, we don't recommend using a Bluetooth, as this is more
cumulative exposure to harmful information-carrying radio waves, which have no safe exposure
limit;
518-432-1550, 888-537-7363.
Safe Wireless Initiative
Website for Dr. George L. Carlo, Chairman and Founder of the Science and Public Policy
Institute. Dr. Carlo is one of the leading researchers on the health risks
of exposure to wireless technologies and information-carrying radio frequencies.
His website contains several intervention steps to help protect against the harmful influence
of wireless devices. Begin by clicking on "Primary Interventions-EMR" on the left-hand menu
of the home page.
Radio Frequency Safe
A resource for products to protect from cell phone radiation.
Distributors of the RF3 air tube earphone for cell phone use as part of the "Gold
Headset Package",
which also includes a Wire Guard (also known as a "snap bead") and microwave shield.
Also includes important information on the dangers of cell phone use and how to
protect yourself; 727-643-5440.
Alternative Wireless
An online source of rooftop-mounted external cell phone antennas for your car as well as
other cell phone accessories;
888-399-4932.
Neutralizer brand cell phone
radiation reducer
The Aulterra company makes the Neutralizer brand cell phone radiation reducer.
If you use this
product, we strongly recommend you do so in conjunction with the air tube earphone and
place snap beads on the earphone wire. We don't recommend that people
stick these chips or reducers on a cell phone as their sole protection against harmful
radio frequencies and then continue to hold the cell phone near their head.
To purchase the Neutralizer, email David Bousfield at
bousfield@lisco.com
or call 641-209-5793.
To see a medical advisory from
Dr. George Carlo on the reported relapse of symptoms, sometimes greater than initially,
in people after roughly 18 months of the sole use of a cell phone radiation reduction
chip as their only protection against harmful radio frequencies, click
here.
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