W.E.E.P. News
Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News
30 June 2011The Danger of CFL Bulbs
John Cockburn,
Director, Equipment Division,
Office of Energy Efficiency,
Department of Natural Resources,
930 Carling Avenue (CEF, Building 1, Observatory Crescent),
2nd Floor, Room 25,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y3
(tel.: 613-996-4359; email: equipment@nrcan.gc.ca)
Re: Canada Gazette, Part I, Regulations Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations
I am delighted that Natural Resources Canada is considering a two-year delay for banning incandescent light bulbs.
In 2008, Tom Hutchinson and I sent a petition to the Auditor General of Canada that is attached. It outlines the key problems with CFL bulbs and includes the following:
1. Mercury content a concern during breakage inside buildings (homes, schools, offices, etc) and disposal in waste dumps contributes to the global load of mercury. It is also contributing to ill health among many Chinese workers. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6211261.ece
2. CFL emit UV radiation and Health Canada has already issued a warning that people should sit further away and use the light bulbs for less than 2 hours at a time to minimize their UV exposure. Some bulbs now have a double envelope, which does reduce the UV considerably, but many bulbs still generate UV radiation.
3. CFL bulbs generate radio frequency radiation that flows along electrical wires and contributes to poor power quality also known as dirty electricity. Dirty electricity has been linked to ill health, increased blood sugar among diabetics who are electrically sensitive, increased tremors and difficulty walking among those with Multiple Sclerosis, and problems with student behaviour in schools. All of this is properly referenced in the attached Environmental Petition sent to the Auditor General of Canada.
4. CFL bulbs generate radio frequency radiation that can interfere with marine wireless communication and some GE bulbs have this warning on the package.
5. A recent study in Germany documented release of carcinogenic substances from CFL bulbs including styrene. While this needs to be replicated, this is yet another possible toxin released into the indoor environment. Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8462626/Energy-saving-light-bulbs-contain-cancer-causing-chemicals.html
6. CFL bulbs are making people ill. This includes those who have migraine headaches, epilepsy, those with electrosensitivity, and those who have skin problems. Details are provided in the attached report.
If the government waits for an additional two years, light emitting diode (LED) technology will have improved in terms of light quality and intensity and the price will have dropped as did the price of CFLs when they first came on the market.
Canadians are attached to their incandescent light bulbs and it makes sense to use light bulbs that will add to the heating of rooms especially during the long Canadian winters. CFL technology is deeply flawed and it was a mistake for the government to tell people what type of light bulbs they should or should not use. There are alternative ways to alter choice without banning a product. I would urge the government to remove the ban all-together but extending it for an additional two years makes sense because it will give Canadians a choice with technology that is likely to be even more energy efficient without the side effects of CFL bulbs.
Please confirm receipt of this email.
Sincerely,
-magda havas
Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc. Ph.D.
Environmental & Resource Studies,
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8
phone: 705 748-1011 x 7882 fax: 705 748-1569
www.magdahavas.com (general)
www.magdahavas.org (academic)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROBIN DES TOITS
12 rue Lucien Sampaix 75010 Paris
Tel. : 33 1 43 55 96 08
E-mail : contact@robindestoits.org
http://www.robindestoits.org
June 28, 2011
Mrs. Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Minister for Ecology, Sustainable
Development, Transportation and Housing
Mr. Eric BESSON, Minister of Industry, Energy and the Digital Economy
Mr. Xavier BERTRAND, Minister of Labor, Employment and Health
Subject: Radiofrequency wireless technologies: WHO classification
group 2B
Dear Minister,
As you know, the IARC, International Agency for Research on Cancer, an
agency of WHO, concluded May 31, 2011 that the radio frequencies used
notably by mobile phones are "possibly carcinogenic" to humans.
While many red flags existed previously, this radically new context
requires the government to adopt a new attitude vis-à-vis the
technologies using radiofrequencies.
It is indeed no longer possible to rule out altogether, as has been
done so far, the implementation of the precautionary principle which
is applicable in the presence of a possible risk.
There is good reason to take the following steps:
- changing the message transmitted by government websites (including
the site "Radiofrequency and Health") finding no evidence of
deleterious effects on health. Operators now widely relay this message
to their customers to convince them of the safety of mobile phones;
- information campaign directed to children, young persons and
pregnant women, including a message without any ambiguity discouraging
use of mobile devices in young persons under 14 years of age;
- banning of Wi-Fi enabled by default on the "box" installed in
private homes; the installation of Wi-Fi will be the result of an
operation carried out voluntarily by the customer or installer ;
- compulsory presence on the same "box" of an external switch,
combined with a light control for all wireless networks (Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi
Community, Wi-Fi easy pairing, DECT, femtocells), and formal
recommendation to turn off Wi-Fi at night, even in cases of non-use;
- removal of Wi-Fi in favor of wired Internet connections in
educational institutions;
- appropriate labeling on all devices emitting radiofrequencies. More
and more objects apart from wireless mobile devices use these
technologies today, and parents buy their children "smart objects"
without even knowing it.
All this is neither oppressive nor complicated. None of the above
measures requires legislative text, so that the "agenda of the member
of Parliament responsible" is not an argument to refrain from action.
Changing the message of public websites can be done immediately.
The information campaign, which should be radically different both in
substance and in form, from that issued prior to the decision of WHO
released at the end of 2010, constitutes a simple administrative
procedure.
The provisions for "box" Internet access at home are of the order of a
simple decree, not a law. They carry no significant impediment to
freedom of commerce and industry. Technologies allowing attainment of
the desired results already exist.
It is the same action for objects using radiofrequencies, similar to
the mandatory posting of the SAR, carried out by decree.
The removal of Wi-Fi in educational institutions can be decided by a
simple circular; it is a question of the internal choice of the
administration.
It is unrealistic to expect, as has been done so far, that the
profession propose or take the appropriate measures itself, be it in a
concerted framework ("Grenelle des Ondes" and others). Protection of
the population is a duty of the public authorities which cannot be
relegated to others. The recent decision of WHO, associated with the
constitutional principle of precaution, is the source of their
obligation for immediate action, where non-compliance goes against
their responsibility.
Counting on prompt action on your part,
Respectfully yours,
Etienne CENDRIER
National Spokesperson
12 rue Lucien Sampaix 75010 Paris
Tel. : 33 1 43 55 96 08
E-mail : contact@robindestoits.org
http://www.robindestoits.org
June 28, 2011
Mrs. Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Minister for Ecology, Sustainable
Development, Transportation and Housing
Mr. Eric BESSON, Minister of Industry, Energy and the Digital Economy
Mr. Xavier BERTRAND, Minister of Labor, Employment and Health
Subject: Radiofrequency wireless technologies: WHO classification
group 2B
Dear Minister,
As you know, the IARC, International Agency for Research on Cancer, an
agency of WHO, concluded May 31, 2011 that the radio frequencies used
notably by mobile phones are "possibly carcinogenic" to humans.
While many red flags existed previously, this radically new context
requires the government to adopt a new attitude vis-à-vis the
technologies using radiofrequencies.
It is indeed no longer possible to rule out altogether, as has been
done so far, the implementation of the precautionary principle which
is applicable in the presence of a possible risk.
There is good reason to take the following steps:
- changing the message transmitted by government websites (including
the site "Radiofrequency and Health") finding no evidence of
deleterious effects on health. Operators now widely relay this message
to their customers to convince them of the safety of mobile phones;
- information campaign directed to children, young persons and
pregnant women, including a message without any ambiguity discouraging
use of mobile devices in young persons under 14 years of age;
- banning of Wi-Fi enabled by default on the "box" installed in
private homes; the installation of Wi-Fi will be the result of an
operation carried out voluntarily by the customer or installer ;
- compulsory presence on the same "box" of an external switch,
combined with a light control for all wireless networks (Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi
Community, Wi-Fi easy pairing, DECT, femtocells), and formal
recommendation to turn off Wi-Fi at night, even in cases of non-use;
- removal of Wi-Fi in favor of wired Internet connections in
educational institutions;
- appropriate labeling on all devices emitting radiofrequencies. More
and more objects apart from wireless mobile devices use these
technologies today, and parents buy their children "smart objects"
without even knowing it.
All this is neither oppressive nor complicated. None of the above
measures requires legislative text, so that the "agenda of the member
of Parliament responsible" is not an argument to refrain from action.
Changing the message of public websites can be done immediately.
The information campaign, which should be radically different both in
substance and in form, from that issued prior to the decision of WHO
released at the end of 2010, constitutes a simple administrative
procedure.
The provisions for "box" Internet access at home are of the order of a
simple decree, not a law. They carry no significant impediment to
freedom of commerce and industry. Technologies allowing attainment of
the desired results already exist.
It is the same action for objects using radiofrequencies, similar to
the mandatory posting of the SAR, carried out by decree.
The removal of Wi-Fi in educational institutions can be decided by a
simple circular; it is a question of the internal choice of the
administration.
It is unrealistic to expect, as has been done so far, that the
profession propose or take the appropriate measures itself, be it in a
concerted framework ("Grenelle des Ondes" and others). Protection of
the population is a duty of the public authorities which cannot be
relegated to others. The recent decision of WHO, associated with the
constitutional principle of precaution, is the source of their
obligation for immediate action, where non-compliance goes against
their responsibility.
Counting on prompt action on your part,
Respectfully yours,
Etienne CENDRIER
National Spokesperson
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portland Oregon Wi Fi Law Suit
At this new web site you will find court documents that have been filed.
There is excellent information from EMF experts which may be very helpful to you.
There is more great information in the main site.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medlock Neighborhood Plans to Fight Cell Tower Proposal
Patch.com
A proposed T-Mobile cell phone tower at Medlock Elementary is being fought from many angles by Medlock Area Neighborhood Association members. By Emma Harger | Email the author | 4:34am A recent T-Mobil mock-up of the proposed cell phone tower on the ...
Patch.com
A proposed T-Mobile cell phone tower at Medlock Elementary is being fought from many angles by Medlock Area Neighborhood Association members. By Emma Harger | Email the author | 4:34am A recent T-Mobil mock-up of the proposed cell phone tower on the ...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Own Health and Fitness
Here is an audio of a program in Calif. discussing how people can protect their legal rights against infringement by wireless technology.
Attorney Larry Bragman, is Mayor of the town of Fairfax in Marin County, California, where he introduced and authored Fairfax's 2010 groundbreaking Smart Meter Moratorium. Josh Hart is the director of Stop Smart Meters, a journalist and activist who is leading a citizen revolt against the roll of of wireless utility meters. They both join the show to discuss how citizen's can protect their civil rights, privacy and health with the proliferation of wireless technologies.
Direct link to the show, available until July 12, is http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/71058
Sharon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Canada disputes claims that wireless Internet may cause cancer
Peterborough Wi-Fi critic Magda Havas disagrees with Health Canada's assurances
Sylvie
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Method for Measuring Parkinson's Disease Prevalence Reveals Sharp Increase in Israel
ScienceDaily (June 13, 2011) — In a new study published in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, Israeli researchers report that by tracking pharmacy purchases of anti-Parkinson drugs they could estimate the number of Parkinson's disease (PD) cases in a large population. The study identified a sharp rise in PD prevalence from 170/100,000 in 2000 to 256/100,000 in 2007 in Israel, which warrants further investigation.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110609123338.htmIris
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts
To sign up for WEEP News: newssignup@weepinitiative.org (provide name and e-mail address)
W.E.E.P. – The Canadian initiative to stop Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution