EMF Health Risks

Certain health risks are associated with exposure to the radio frequency or high frequency radiation generated from all wireless devices, such as TVs, smart meters, Bluetooth, baby monitors, cordless phones and WiFi.

“Many published studies over the past 20 years have shown an array of serious biological effects from low level microwaves. DNA damage and disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) have occurred at levels hundreds of times lower than US exposure limits.”

*Dr Devra Davis The Environmental Health Trust www.ehtrust.org

There are a lot of growing concerns about exposure which don’t make the mainstream news. Often people comment that, “if there was a problem with this technology then we would know about it…it wouldn’t be allowed…”

It is shocking to them to discover that within the technical small print of tablets, phones and laptops it is recommended to keep them directly away from the body during use.

iPhone 7: “To reduce exposure to RF energy, use a hands-free option, such as the built-in speakerphone to keep away from your body.”

iPad: “Keep the antenna away from your body and objects.”

Blackberry: “Keep 25mm away from your body when the device is switched on.”

“Three years ago, the World Health Organization declared cellphone and other wireless radiation to be a possible human carcinogen, in the same category as some pesticides, lead and engine exhausts. Since then evidence has mounted that such radiation can profoundly affect human biology, altering brain metabolism, damaging animals exposed during pregnancy and reducing sperm count.” *Dr Devra Davis, open letter to President Obama, April 2014

The following information, which outlines how the different systems of the body are affected by EMF from telecom communication devices, was taken from Dr Devra Davis PhD MPH, president and founder of the Environmental Health Trust – website www.ehtrust.org Their work brings together leading peer reviewed research into EMF exposure and health, with children’s health particularly in mind.

Her previous work has contributed to exposing other leading health concerns such as smoking and asbestos. In 2012 Green America awarded her with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to raising awareness to environmental health including cell phone safety awareness.

Reproductive impacts

Consistent evidence from experimental research, epidemiological studies and in vitro (laboratory), and in vivo (animal) studies shows that RF exposure is associated with reduced sperm count, motility and concentration, as well as DNA damage and altered cell structure. Some research also shows damage to the ovaries of rats and mice and changes in the eggs of flies and birds.

“The epidemiological studies of men assessed for infertility were consistent in demonstrating decreased sperm motility associated with increased use of mobile phones … [and] biological effects on sperm motility related to RF exposure.”

• The BC Center for Disease Control 2013 Report, A Radiofrequency Toolkit for Environmental Health Practitioners.

Cancer

Research showing that long term heavy cellphone users have an increased risk of brain cancer led to the WHO IARC classification of this radiation as a Class 2 B carcinogen: a “possible human carcinogen”. A study showed that adults who started using cell or cordless phones as teenagers had an eightfold higher risk of brain cancer on the side of their head where they held the phone.

To date, the only published study of children’s risk of brain cancer from cell phone use found more than a twofold risk after >2.8 years of use (from billing records), combined with a statistically significant trend of increasing risk with increasing year of use.

“A disservice has been done in inaccurately depicting the body of science, which actually indicates that there are biological effects from the radiation emitted by wireless devices, including damage to DNA, and evidence for increased risk of cancer and other substantial health consequences…The public the world over has been misled by this reporting.”

• Dr Ronald B. Herberman, founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, vice chancellor of Cancer Research at University of Pittsburgh and the first head of an NCI funded cancer center to speak out on the risks from cell phones.

Hearing

Research shows chronic mobile phone usage results in high frequency hearing loss and inner ear damage. Research has also shown significant risk of tumours on the auditory nerve in the brain (acoustic neuromas).

Sleep

Research shows this radiation from wireless transmitting devices can impact sleep. For example, this radiation has been shown to delay entrance into deep non-REM sleep and decrease time spent in this stage of sleep. The quantity and quality of sleep have a profound impact on learning and memory. A sleep deprived person cannot focus or learn efficiently. Sleep also has a critical role in the consolidation of memory essential for learning new information.

Headaches

Research shows children & adults who used mobile phones or were exposed prenatally to wireless radiation are at higher risk of developing headaches.

Disruptions to heart functioning

Some research shows increases in heart rate, arrhythmias, dizziness, changes in blood pressure and other disturbances in heart functioning from wireless radiation.

Other EMF Health Risks

Neurotoxic effects

Experimental research shows that chronic exposure kills and reduces brain cells. In 2011, NIH research found that just 50 minutes of a wireless transmitting device (cell phone) next to the brain increases glucose in the part of the brain most exposed. Preliminary 3G and 4G research has shown that nonthermal levels of this radiation alter the brain’s electrical activity.

Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is the formation of tissue-damaging free radicals. Significant research overwhelmingly shows wireless radiation increases oxidative stress. This response damages cells and their DNA through the production of peroxides and free radicals. Oxidative stress is implicated in the cause of many diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Genotoxic effects

Studies at nonthermal (no measurable temperature change) levels of microwave exposures show chromosomal instability, altered gene expression, gene mutations, DNA fragmentation and DNA structural breaks. Genetic mutations and cellular damage can potentially contribute to cancer growth. Strong effects have been found in stem cells. Since stem cells are more active in children, researchers are concerned that children are at increased risk. “Neuronal damage may not have immediately demonstrable consequences, even if repeated. It may, however, in the long run, result in reduced brain reserve capacity that might be unveiled by other later neuronal disease or even the wear and tear of ageing. We cannot exclude that after some decades of (often), daily use, a whole generation of users, may suffer negative effects such as autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases maybe already in their middle age.” -Dr Salford, Dr Nittby and Dr Persson in Effects of Electromagnetic Fields from Wireless Communication upon the Blood Brain Barrier in the Bioinitiative Report 2012, a scientific review of the science by 29 experts in ten countries.

Behavioural issues

Epidemiological studies have shown associations between exposures and behavioural issues in children. For example, a recent study showed a significant dose response relationship between the number and duration of voice calls made on cell phones and ADHD risk among children exposed to lead in their environment. “Microwave from wireless tech disrupts thinking – what could be worse for learning? Technology can be used more safely with wired devices that do not produce these biologically disruptive levels of microwave radiation.” – Cindy Sage, co-editor of the BioInitiative Report, a comprehensive report written by 29 international experts on the current scientific evidence on electromagnetic fields. The report recommends wired access without WiFi whenever possible. “We have shown that behavioural problems in mice that resemble ADHD are caused by cell phone exposure in the womb…The rise in behavioural disorders in human children may be in part due to foetal cellular telephone irradiation exposure.” • Dr Hugh Taylor of Yale Medical School.