W.E.E.P. News
Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News
13 December 2010
WIRELESS WORRIES
By Rachel Stern - Nanaimo News Bulletin
Published: December 12, 2010 8:00 AM
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/nanaimonewsbulletin/news/111679469.html
Cellphones make Christel Martin sick.
They make her head spin. Her vision blurs. Her body starts to shut down. But cellphones aren't the only culprit. There are Wi-Fi units, cell towers, cordless phones and other electrical devices all making her ill.
She has to get away from the electromagnetic radiation, but the technology saturates today's world and it's a daunting mission to escape.
"I couldn't even go in my home office – it was just like going into this cloud," said Martin. "We're polluting ourselves to death and the medical establishment hasn't got a clue."
Martin has electrical hypersensitivity, also referred to as electrosensitivity. People with the condition can experience headaches, sleeping problems, dizzy spells, difficulty focusing and problems with their short-term memory.
For years, Martin struggled with her condition, visiting several doctors but receiving no diagnosis until last year.
The causes of her condition are controversial.
Health Canada recognizes the disorder, but says there is no scientific evidence symptoms are caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Nanaimo physician John Cline, who is also certified by the International Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology, says many patients he treats have electrosensitivity caused by electrical devices or 'dirty' electricity in their homes. After removing devices such as cordless phones, many of his patients see dramatic health improvements.
He said people who have more metals or chemicals in their bodies are more susceptible, adding that it's foolhardy to rush forward with technology when there is little information about the health effects.
"We go through our daily lives and don't give a thought about this electromagnetic smog we are in," said Cline. "As a society, we'll pay a hefty price for using the technology without doing the research first."
A recent study – Biological Effects from Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted by Cell Tower Base Stations and Other Antenna Rays, published by the National Research Council's Environmental Reviews, a peer-reviewed science publication – discusses health effects of electromagnetic fields and radiation by examining earlier studies.
The researchers – Blake Levitt and Henry Lai – argue there are gaps in knowledge because many studies only examine short-term exposure. They suggest there isn't enough information about long-term exposure and caution is warranted before expanding infrastructure.
Studies on long-term effects are contradictory – some found increased health effects, such as increased cancer rates, while others found none.
It's unclear how many are affected by EHS, but the World Health Organization suggests it's a few out of every million. Self-help groups, however, report a much higher prevalence.
Health Canada created radio frequency energy safety guidelines to govern exposure levels in 1979. It states that if exposures remain below the guides, with limits based on temperature increases, there is no danger.
But Katharina Gustavs, an EMF consultant in Sooke, says the health guidelines only protect people from burns and heat caused by devices, not damage at the cellular level, which could increase cancer risks.
"The big health debate is about the non-thermal effects, because they are not as acute or obvious," said Gustavs.
She equates the rollout of wireless technologies with the use of chemical pesticides. Pesticides entered the water supply and food chain, but now there is a movement away from their use because of the health effects and environmental impacts.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health recently released a report on the potential impacts of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, from sources such as Wi-Fi, and recommends the Government of Canada fund long-term studies examining the potential health impacts of exposure.
Numerous grassroots groups around the country have contacted MPs, provincial elected representatives and school boards, asking for a moratorium on Wi-Fi until more comprehensive studies can be completed, and for electromagnetic hypersensitivity to be recognized as a medical ailment.
Health Canada says there is no corresponding evidence that supports the assertion that Wi-Fi is harmful and there is no conclusive evidence of long-term or cumulative health risks from exposure to low-intensity radio frequency energy.
People should approach the issue of wireless technology by placing trust in recognized science, said Marc Choma, director of communication for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, which represents about 200 companies, including cellphone companies, manufacturers and other affiliates.
Choma said there are studies raising concerns, but cautions they might not be from credible sources and people should consult recognized and credible scientific sources such as Health Canada and the World Health Organization.
Those organizations have found there aren't safety concerns as long as the devices are used within the established safety guidelines.
"The overwhelming evidence is they're not seeing any causes for concerns," said Choma.
Magda Havas, an associate professor of environmental studies at Trent University, in Ontario, said she worries about the long-term effects on human health.
"They are being absolutely irresponsible and the question is why are they not protecting the health of Canadians," said Havas regarding Health Canada.
Havas, who has conducted research on the health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic energy at low frequencies for the past 15 years, said she's particularly worried about children, whose developing bodies are more susceptible.
Her research in Ontario schools found cases of children developing irregular heart rates. When the children stopped going to schools with Wi-Fi or parents took Wi-Fi out of the home, the heart rates returned to normal.
"I'm concerned we're going to have one child that will die because of what it's doing to their heart and that's when we'll take this seriously," Havas said.
After her diagnosis with Dr. Cline, Martin finally had a starting point to manage her ailments. She contacted Chris Anderson, an electromagnetic radiation assessment consultant from Salt Spring Island, who measured her home for electromagnetic fields and helped identify where more fields were generated.
"There is no reason our homes should be turned into living, writhing torture chambers for people with electrosensitivity," said Anderson.
Martin has since rearranged her home to avoid spending time in high electromagnetic areas and regularly uses a Gauss metre, which measures electromagnetic fields.
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Holistic Primary Care
Cordless Phone EMFs Trigger Heart Rhythm Abnormalities: an elegantly designed study shows that some people are indeed susceptible to ill effects when exposed to electromagnetic fields from cordless phones.
http://holisticprimarycare.net/images/stories/pdf_issues/hpc_winter2010.pdf
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On Thursday December 9, a couple dozen PG&E customers from 6 Northern California counties protested at two Sonoma County Smart Meter sites: Wellington, the deployment yard and the PG&E office where several protesters blocked the doors, risking arrest. See and hear the action, frustration, resistance, new FCC violation evidence, conversations with police and the PG&E management:
Ecological Options Network (EON) is producing awesome videos of this Smart Meter revolt. Donations to EON can be made here:
http://www.eon3.net/donate.html
"DANGER! DANGER! RADIATION!
We've got a problem across the nation!
SHOUT it to your neighbors! SHOUT it to your friends!
Tell Your Politicians- Smart Meters have to END!!"
Sandi Maurer
EMF Safety Network
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Lakehead is wild for Wi-Fi
A policy that restricted wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) at Lakehead University ... to avoid potentially adverse health effects of electromagnetic frequencies. ...
http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2883763
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W.E.E.P. – The Canadian initiative to stop Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution
