Egypt Cell Tower / BC Smart Meter Letter / etc

W.E.E.P. News

Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

7 June 2011

Egypt

Giza residents block railroad to protest cell phone tower

UID>/INBOX>67663">Al-Masry Al-Youm

Hundreds of people have blocked railway movement in Giza to protest a cell phone tower in their village, security sources said. Residents of Bamha village in Ayyat, Giza, started gathering at the railroad on Sunday to call for dismantling the tower, ...

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/465139

David

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Hans Karow

Coalition to Reduce Electropollution (CORE)

16488 Schaad Road

Lake Country, BC, V4V 1B1

hansk@shaw.ca

British Columbia Utilities Commission

Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Box 250

Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2N3

Attn: Erica Hamilton, Secretary

June 2, 2011

Dear Ms Hamilton,

Re: procedures involving smart meters including but not limited to British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority Smart Meter and Infrastructure Regulatory Account F2011 Expenditures Application BCUC Project BCUC Order G-78-11

http://www.bcuc.com/ApplicationView.aspx?ApplicationId=306

Various IRs' questions from other parties, especially submitted by lawyers on behalf of their clients have not been responded by BCHydro (Applicant) as being "out of scope" in subject hearing. Clearly an indication that the whole Smart Meter Project (SMP) have not been addressed / tested / reviewed in detailed of every nature by the Commission and either parties other than the Applicant.

Under the regulatory guidelines (see also Enclosure below) with any utility project the Commission has the legal mandate, especially upon concern from and in the interest of the general public

"…Overall, the Commission has a duty to protect the public interest…

…..The Commission's specific functions include:…

…..assessing utility proposals to extend existing facilities or build new facilities (Section 45); "

Understanding Utility Regulation: A Participants Guide to the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Chapter 2, Page 9

http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Guidelines/2011/DOC_3939_ParticpantGuide_July2002.pdf

According to the regulatory guidelines it is illegal for BC Hydro to be excluded from fulfilling its oversight responsibilities? But if the government continues to exclude it from oversight(Clean Energy Act, 2008-Utilities Commission Amendment Act), then responsibility for any complaints would also be outside the responsibility of the BCUC.

CORE respectfully requests, that the Commission re-open all proceedings in where the SMP is involved, and /or schedule evidentiary hearings that allow all parties the opportunity

- to present evidence and testimony on RF health, environmental, legal and safety impacts,

- to review actual SMP performance, including cost effectiveness of Smart Meter installations, energy conservation achieved, reliability, interference, privacy and security risks, and fire hazards,

- to have the relevant acts and tariffs amended to allow individual customers on special request the right to opt out of the SMP (smart meter installation).

The scope of the Commission's review of opting out shall include the possibility of disabling the RF function of existing Smart Meters, removal or disabling of repeater equipment, use of shielded cable or fiber optics to transmit data, and alternative meter reading protocols.

The Commission is also respectfully requested to impose an immediate moratorium on any utility company's installation of new smart meters pending completion and decision of the evidentiary hearings, and/or Commission review.

Respectfully submitted

Hans Karow, CORE, Registered Intervener

ENCLOSURE to letter to BCUC dated June 2, 2011

Hans Karow

Coalition to Reduce Electropollution (CORE)

16488 Schaad Road

Lake Country, BC, V4V 1B1

hansk@shaw.ca

British Columbia Utilities Commission

Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Box 250

Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2N3

Attn: Erica Hamilton, Secretary

May 30, 2011

Dear Ms Hamilton,

Re: procedures involving smart meters including but not limited to British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority Smart Meter and Infrastructure Regulatory Account F2011 Expenditures Application BCUC Project BCUC Order G-78-11

http://www.bcuc.com/ApplicationView.aspx?ApplicationId=306

1. As a registered intervener possibly acting also in the interest of

- uninformed BC Hydro customer

- uninformed public at large

- uninformed Members of BC Legislature Assembly

I herewith do file a complaint to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) regarding the proposed BC Hydro Smart Meter Project (SMP) and any present or future SMP of other utility companies.

2. Apparently the Clean Energy Act contained the rules that capital projects like smart meters did not have to have a review by the BCUC: no health assessment, no cost-benefit analysis, no environmental impact review. The proposed installation of SM was mandated, without public consultation or debate in the legislature, as part of the Clean Energy Act 2010 [1].

The Commission is asked to order BC Hydro – as well as any other BC utility - to cease and desist work and any other further preparation with the planned installation of smart meters (SM) until the following issues have been addressed:

- to invite and engage the public at large in a proper public process to ensure concerns may be raised and be dealt with,

- to have BC Hydro and other utility companies resolve any issues which may be raised by the public during an information process and public hearing,

- to have BC Hydro and other utility companies forward all complaints they have received to BCUC from any and all sources concerning any and all impacts of proposed smart meter installations and any information about other known possible more cost-efficient and/or safer options that were available but had not been addressed adequately in the preceding procedural process.

- It is clear that utility companies have the legal authority by way of easements, permits, approvals and contracts to enter customers' property to service and read meters. However it is equally clear that BCHydro and other utility companies were remiss in not providing sufficient consultation and public input on the smart meter microwave radiation's negative health and legal impacts on property owners in the immediate vicinity of installed smart meters.

3. Additional comments and concerns:

3.1 BCUC, as an independent regulatory agency of the Provincial Government, operates under and administers the Utilities Commission Act [2] .

The Commission's primary responsibility is the regulation of the energy utilities under its jurisdiction to ensure that the rates charged for energy are fair, just and reasonable, and that utilities provide safe, adequate and secure service to their customers. Normally the Commission calls for public hearings in case of new projects, i.e. new power lines, substation, relocations of those etc. and the general public is invited to take part in such proceeding:

"…The Commission values public input in the issues for which it is responsible, and has prepared this Guide to help you to become more involved in our various activities."

Understanding Utility Regulation: A Participants Guide to the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Chapter 1, Page 1, [3]

"…Decisions that attract public controversy may require the more structured public participation processes of administrative tribunals to ensure fair and equal treatment of all affected and interested parties…"

Understanding Utility Regulation: A Participants Guide to the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Chapter 2, Page 4,

"…Overall, the Commission has a duty to protect the public interest…

…..The Commission's specific functions include:…

…..assessing utility proposals to extend existing facilities or build new facilities (Section 45); "

Understanding Utility Regulation: A Participants Guide to the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Chapter 2, Page 9,

"…Finally, a member of the public can file a complaint with the Commission on a matter that is of particular concern to them. For example, a utility customer may

complain to the Commission that the utility should obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity before constructing its next project. There are differences in the ways in which utility applications, generic reviews, and complaints are handled by the Commission. Nevertheless, the Commission has developed common mechanisms for public participation during the course of each of these three types of regulatory proceedings. An important component of public participation is the provision of reasonable notice of a hearing to utility customers and other interested parties. This is discussed in Chapter 4, p. 29, "The Public Hearing Process".

Understanding Utility Regulation: A Participants Guide to the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Chapter 3, Page 11,

Having cited the above, why has the general public . the very customers, so far not been involved with the SMP, speaking now of the smart meter as appliance to be installed with a huge cost involved?

3.2 Although BILL 15 — 2008 UTILITIES COMMISSION AMENDMENT ACT [4] gives the Commission and BCHydro and other utilities certain power to circumvent public involvement, nevertheless the human rights i.e.

- Canadian Human Rights Act [5] administered by the Canadian Human Rights Commission [6]

- Universal Declaration of Human Rights [7]

are protected, preceding, and paramount over the BC Clean Energy Act and the 2008 Utilities Amendment Act.

3.3 Based on the body of research and existing evidence electromagnetic radiation from wireless appliances, including smart meters, are associated with adverse biological effect.

3.4 Based on the fact that these basic human rights issues were not discussed –obviously not even considered- during the debate of the Clean Energy Act in the Legislative Assembly nor during the proceedings to follow, not one party (Ministers, MLAs, BC Hydro, BCUC) has addressed the electromagnetic radiation pollution emanating from wireless smart meters. Obviously, this failure violates

- constitutional and common/civil law rights (trespass, civil assault, personal injury, civil battery and a taking of their property rights if done ignorantly, arbitrarily, wantonly willfully and without due process of law)

- criminal law rights (assault, bodily harm, intimidation, defense of property, mischief, common nuisance, causing bodily harm by criminal negligence).

4. It is requested that a public hearing be held with a fair regulatory time table to allow sufficient media announcement (with wording in plain dummy language), sufficient time (3-4 months) to find experts (legal, medical, researchers)

5. Due to lack of financial and legal resources, it is also requested that costs of experts of concerned people's choice be covered under the Commission's Participant Assistance/Cost Award Guideline [8].

Respectfully submitted

Hans Karow, CORE, Registered Intervener

[1] http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th2nd/1st_read/gov17-1.htm

[2] http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96473_01

[3] http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Guidelines/2011/DOC_3939_ParticpantGuide_July2002.pdf

[4] http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th4th/1st_read/gov15-1.htm

[5] http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/h-6/page-1.html#h-2

[6] http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/default-eng.aspx

[7] http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml

[8] http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Guidelines/2011/DOC_5014_G-72-07_PACA_2007_Guidelines.pdf

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Till Alla/Dear All,

En ny debattartikel/A new commentary article:

Manzetti S, Johansson O, "Kreftframkallende monstermaster. Store kraftmaster kan direkte påvirke menneskers helse" ("Carcinogenic monster masts.

Large power line towers can directly affect human health", in Norwegian), Dagbladet 6/6 2011

http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/06/06/kultur/debatt/debattinnlegg/helse/elektromagnetisk_straling/16810726/

(Please, note that we asked them to edit certain parts but it was not done.)

Mved många vänliga hälsningar/With my very best regards

vännen/Yours sincerely
Olle
(Olle Johansson, assoc. prof.
The Experimental Dermatology Unit
Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institute
171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
&
Professor
The Royal Institute of Technology
100 44 Stockholm
Sweden)

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Dariusz Leszczynski's blog on IARC

http://betweenrockandhardplace.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/%E2%80%A2first-comments-on-the-outcome-of-iarc-evaluation-of-mobile-phone-radiation-carcinogenicity/

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To President of the Institute Prof. Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson, e-mail: rektorssekreterare@ki.se

Cc: Staffan Cullheim, Chairman, Department of Neuroscience, e-mail: Staffan.Cullheim@ki.se

Dear Sirs,

In Our NGO, Associació Oikos Ambiental in Spain, are very concerned on the situation about not allowing Ph Olle Johansson to work in the research area of health effects of EMFs.

Instead of "cautionary" not allowing Olle Johansson to work in this research area of health effects of EMFs, instead it ought to be ensured and greatly expanded - in this way we would, in agreement with the Precautionary Principle, be sure not to put mankind's head in a future snare of radiation damage, cancer, neurological disease, learning disorders, etc.

It is a pure scandal, what is now happening. To leave people with a disability in the lurch is not only unethical but also completely in contrast to the "UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities" and "The European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights" and its "Communication from Commission to the Council and Parliament on the transfer of the European framework agreement on harassment and violence at work ". Any discrimination on grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.

One might add that it is, since November 8, 2007, a legal obligation not to humiliate or discriminate against anyone, whether in the form of one-time events. The current on-going situation is such a pure discrimination against all persons with EHS! It would be correct instead to increase the present research facility on the basis of the requirements of the UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities. So, why we are going in the opposite direction if

IARC CLASSIFIES RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AS POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS ?

and other scientists warn of the health effects of EMFs from the RF & Microwave, not only in Europe but all over the world

CNN, Sanjay Gupta Coverage Cell Phones/Brain Cancer

http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/31/anderson-cooper-and-dr-sanjay-gupta-discuss-cell-phone-safety/

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/20/gupta-cell-phones-brain-tumors-and-a-wired-earpiece/

Persons with the disability EHS must not be brought down by a lack of finances or a rental fee, nor by arbitrary moving carousels. The UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities is very clear on this point. Research and investigation shall take place until full accessibility is attained.

Sweden, and its government, verbally support the UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities. Now was the time to also support these people's rights by action...but they, and their relatives, were left out in the cold.

We wish you could change your mind and you are able to do much better for millions of very hopeful persons around the world as the Karolinka Institut is the home of the Nobel Medicine Prize

With respect,

Sg.Patricia-Montserrat Ferrer

from Spain

Sue

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Is Your Bedroom Toxic?

5 Easy Ways to Get a Restful Night's Sleep

Huffington Post (blog)

A big sleep disruptor in the bedroom might be exposure to electronic devices, wireless technology, and other forms of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Aside from feeling buzzed, Dr. Magda Havas, a leader in the movement against unrestrained wireless ...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beth-greer/is-your-bedroom-toxic-5-e_b_871801.html

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Interministerial on EMF - India

http://www.dot.gov.in/miscellaneous/IMC%20Report/IMC%20Report.pdf

Kirsten

Web site www.weepinitiative.org e-mail contactweep@weepinitiative.org

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

Ontario government to examine possible cellphone link to cancer, etc.

W.E.E.P. News

Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

2 June 2011

Ontario government to examine possible cellphone link to cancer

http://www.therecord.com/news/canada/article/541353--ontario-government-to-examine-possible-cellphone-link-to-cancer

TORONTO — The Ontario government will examine a World Health Organization warning about a possible link between cellphones and cancer, but won't take any immediate action to warn consumers, Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best said Wednesday.

The United Nations agency reported Tuesday that the type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by cellphones and other wireless devices could possibly cause cancer.

The New Democrats want warning labels slapped on cellphones and smart phones to caution users about the possible increased risk of cancer, but Best said for now she'll consult more experts.

"I will be speaking with the Ontario chief medical officer of health, as well as Health Canada," she said. "It's a very important issue, and we will monitor and continue to monitor the evidence, the new evidence that has been brought forward."

Scientists with the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as "possibly carcinogenic to humans,"' based on a higher risk of glioma, a rare but often deadly form of brain tumour.

Other substances in the same category include pesticides and gasoline engine exhaust. The other categories include carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic and probably not carcinogenic.

The New Democrats said parents should not let their children use cellphones because their thinner skulls make them more vulnerable to the radiation.

"Would you let your kids play in the exhaust coming from a car?" said NDP health critic France Gelinas. "Right now they treat it as low microwaves cooking your brain slowly."

The NDP wants the warnings already printed in the books that come with mobile and smart phones to be placed on the actual phones themselves. The upgraded warning from the UN agency should prompt governments to take action to protect people, added Gelinas.

"How much more evidence do you need before you do as little as letting people know that there might be a risk, and here's how you protect yourself?" she said. "When the World Health Organization bumps it up a step, it is significant, significant enough that a government should act."

The Progressive Conservatives said the WHO report was a "warning flag," but said government should wait until the studies are completed to confirm a link between cellphones and cancer.

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, which represents most of the cellphone companies, said Tuesday that the WHO report only found a "possible" link between wireless devices and cancer.

"They were very clear that they are not saying there is a proven link between cellphones and cancer," said Marc Choma, the wireless association's director of communications. "There is no reason to put a warning on the cellphones."

A group of parents in the Barrie area who have been fighting to have WiFi turned off in schools said the WHO report gives school boards all the evidence they need to take action to protect teachers and students exposed to wireless radiation for six hours a day.

"If they already have policies in place to deal with anything that legally is called a potential hazard, they are obligated to warn any person who works in the building that the hazard exists and what the hazard is," said Rodney Palmer of the Simcoe County Safe Schools Committee. "Do we put a class 2B carcinogen in a classroom and do we do that without informed consent from the parents?"

The cancer warning isn't just about cellphones, added Palmer.

"It's WiFi, baby monitors and cordless home telephones, which all operate at 2.4(gigahertz)," he said.

The Canadian Press

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Ontario Legislature Question Period today

Please post and forward Hansard from Ontario Legislature Question Period today.

The Minister was scrummed by media afterwards.

She would only say she is monitoring the situation and speaking to experts.

Michael

1 June 2011
Oral Questions

M^me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Promotion de la santé. Given that the World Health Organization has now classified electro magnetic fields from cellphones as a possible carcinogen, that is, that it could cause cancer, will the government require cellphone companies to put warnings on cellphones sold in Ontario?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: I thank the member for her question. First of all, let me assure you that our government continues to be committed to the health of Ontarians. We have worked diligently to address the dangers associated with cigarette smoking, unhealthy eating and inactivity. We certainly welcome the World Health Organization's report. We will continue to review all evidence, including this report, in consultation with our experts.

Let me just say that the one thing that the member says—and I agree with what she says—they said there is "possible"—and I think that is a very key word for her to keep in mind as I continue to talk with our Chief Medical Officer of Health, Health Canada and all our experts in monitoring the new scientific evidence that has come to—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

M^me France Gélinas: This is an issue that I have addressed with this minister before in a number of ways. In rejecting our call to inform Ontarians about the health risk cellphones the minister said, "Based on reviews of available scientific evidence by credible public health agencies, such as the World Health Organization, the RF energy from cellphones has not been demonstrated to be causally linked to adverse health effects including cancer." That is what she said. Now, that the World Health Organization has linked cellphones to cancer and is calling for pragmatic measures to reduce exposure, won't the minister support the pragmatic measure by putting warning labels on cellphones, or will she do nothing at all to educate Ontarians about the possible health risks for cellphone use?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: Let me reiterate for the member, in case she didn't hear me he first time: We have worked diligently to address the dangers of cigarette smoking, unhealthy eating and inactivity. ??Wildly enough, Ontarians are certainly something we are committed to as a government. As the member said before, the World Health Organization has said that there is a possible, and I quote, "possible," and underline that. That is why we have experts that we speak to. I do not do this—make decisions on my own—without listening to the experts. What I will do upon reviewing this evidence and talking with our Chief Medical Officer of Health, Health Canada, we will continue to monitor the new scientific evidence—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

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Washington Post

WHO Group Finds Mobile-Phone Radiation May Cause Cancer

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/who-group-finds-mobile-phone-radiation-may-cause-cancer/2011/05/31/AG7ZUcFH_video.html

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Cellphone study raises profile on safety lawsuits

UID>/INBOX>67358">Reuters

A working group of WHO cancer experts suggested on Tuesday that cellphone use should be classified as "possibly carcinogenic" after reviewing of all the available scientific evidence. The classification puts mobile phone use in the same broad cancer ...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/01/us-cellphones-lawsuits-idUSTRE75075L20110601

David

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Proposed Cell Tower Plans Suspended

Earlier this evening, Rogers issued a press release stating that the installation at 1461 Rebecca has been suspended pending further discussions with the Mayor and the Town. Full text of the Rogers press release follows at the end of this email.

We view this development in a positive light. We have spoken to the Mayor, who has been working with us. He is very aware of the concerns that we all share with regard to this installation, including the lack of consultation and wisdom of placing these installations in such close proximity to residential areas.

While we welcome this news, we also recognize that much work remains to be done. It has been your continued vigilance and hard work that has seen us make some progress.

The federal government retains their exclusive authority in this matter, and they are the only level of government with the power to make changes to the legislation governing these installations. If you have not done so already, you can express your concerns to our Oakville Member of Parliament, Terence Young, at young.t@parl.gc.ca

We look forward to continuing to work with you to see a satisfactory resolution to this issue.

Cathy & Pam

FULL TEXT OF ROGERS PRESS RELEASE

Rogers and Town of Oakville to Work Together on Cell Sites

(Toronto, ON) June 1, 2011 – Rogers today announced that it suspended work to erect a cell tower in the Hopedale Mall area of Oakville pending further discussions with Mayor Rob Burton to develop workable alternatives to this site in order to provide Oakville residents with the benefits of world class high quality wireless voice and data services.

Rogers has agreed to participate in developing a new protocol with the Town for future sites. It was acknowledged in the meeting with Mayor Burton that demand for wireless is increasing dramatically and sites are required to fulfill this demand.

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Sleep Deprivation a Chronic Condition

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/01/16-things-you-didnt-know-about-sleep.aspx

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World Health Org Warns of Cancer from Wireless

Bay Area Indymedia

... and unlike a wifi router or cell phone, they cannot be turned off. According to Cindy Sage of Sage Associates, co-editor of the Bioinitiative report and author of a study on the health effects of smart meters, "Smart meters can produce RF exposures ...

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/05/31/18680823.php

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From Israel

Ofir Pines: They knew all the time

Ofir Pines, former Knesset member, was interviewed this morning on IARC's decision on the radio. He said- the decision makers knew and they prevented the public from radiation protection. I would take the executives of the Communication Ministry to court for this, not less.

He said people in Israel are dying from tumors caused by the cellular phone. Many people have cancer and they don't make the connection to the radiation.

Prof Sigal Sadezky: I was surprised

Dan Shilon on TV interviewed Prof. Sadezky: what happened that they changed suddenly changed their former decision, which said that there is no link between cellular and cancer. Sadezky: Lately there were published several studies, including mine. And this affected the change of their decision. I am in this subject for 15 years. We are surrounded by non ionizing radiation non stop.

For example Wi-Fi, DECT. I was surprised by IARC's decision. I did not expect they would go so far. The cell phone companies will continue to operate. The question is now whether to adopt 4G, there was no public debate.

Iris

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Cancer Research UK lets the public down over mobile phone safety advice

The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer have concluded, almost unanimously, that there is enough evidence to classify Radio Frequency energy exposure as a "Possible Human Carcinogen". CRUK virtually dismiss the IARC judgement as being most unlikely and do not offer any advice to the public or users about ways they might use their mobile more safely. We do wonder which team they are playing for.

http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20110601-cancer-research-uk-mobile-advice-condemned.asp

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End of Supporting Story Content

CBC.ca

"As far as cellphones and cellphone-like technology is concerned, the relevant electromagnetic radiation has been studied since microwave ovens came on to the scene," he said. "To say that cellphones now are a relatively unstudied phenomenon is simply ...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2009/01/22/f-cellphoneshealth.html

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Mobile phone radiation - Lyn McLean

ABC Online (blog)

Lyn is the author of a number of papers and books on EMR or electromagnetic radiation and has been monitoring and writing on the subject for fifteen years. You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post. ...

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2011/06/mobile-phone-radiation-lyn-mclean.html

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WHO agency warns cellphone use 'possibly carcinogenic'

Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/conditions/cancer/other-cancers/who-agency-warns-cellphone-use-possibly-carcinogenic/article2041461/

Web site www.weepinitiative.org e-mail contactweep@weepinitiative.org

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W.E.E.P. – The Canadian initiative to stop Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution

Grounding the human body / Scientific studies : Discharge routine / Drew Sinatra, ND, speaks out / The cellphone song / "Scientific American" or Lady Gaga?

W.E.E.P. News

Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

30 September 2010

GROUNDING THE HUMAN BODY TO NEUTRALIZE BIO-ELECTRICAL STRESS FROM STATIC ELECTRICITY AND EMFs.

A. Clinton Ober

[view Mr. Ober's bio]

Ventura, CA

http://www.next-up.org/pdf/ESD_Journal_Grounding_the_human_body_to_neutralize_bioelectrical_stress_from_static_electricity_and_EMFs.pdf

Robert R

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EMF - Scientific studies : Discharge routine (human physiology, stress, pain, sleep,)
http://www.next-up.org/Newsoftheworld/EHS_Discharge.php#1

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Drew Sinatra, ND, speaks out on behalf of people with electrohypersensitivity

at White Rock Council Meeting, September 27, 2010.

From Council Chambers ....27 Sep 2010 

http://healthy360.blogspot.com/2010/09/alarm-signals-from-dr-drew-sinatrand-on.html

Una

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(the cellphone song) Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age by ...

By admin

Lyrics Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age Its like the hissing of pots and the cooking of cells twisting in knots like the book of the kells. its the clotting of minds – its a fight with the heart the rotting of time, ... plan is to leave us high and dry and the FDA policy is to lie and deny it goes one ear – but not out the other. i aquired alzeimers and i doubt ill recover whos responsible for the wear and tear on my brain i know that im here

http://www.confusedtoday.co.uk/the-cellphone-song-invisible-hazards-in-the-wireless-age-by-trillion/

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Who gives better science "Scientific American" or Lady Gaga?

Read all about it at:

http://www.microwavenews.com

Best,
Louis Slesin

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Dear Mr. Wehrle:

I agree with your excellent article except for one blaring fallacy, regarding the extant science and criteria therefor. You say:

"Neither of these influences has anything to do with health, but they are significant factors in any decision Health Canada will make. I suggest that to overcome those two influences there will have to be irrefutable and overwhelming evidence of harm and that level of evidence does not yet exist."

First, how unfortunate that the Precautionary Principle, which is international law, and to which Canadian federal law further subscribes, ought not in your view apply. This said, I have long observed the Precautionary Principle to be disregarded by public officials in all of North America, as if the US and Canada were not signatories, which they in fact are. Do you truly not recognize this law? If so, please tell, whyever not?

Secondly, I am absolutely astonished you would assert that irrefutable and overwhelming evidence of harm does not exist, while admitting this is not your field of expertise, and after I showed you a very full and quantitative literature review of the infrastructural-level scientific literature of the past twenty+ years.

Perhaps you have confused this literature with that relating to cell phone usage, which my former mentor Devra Lee Davis cites as internally inconclusive on account of industry influence?

These respective, very disparate scientific literatures must not be confused, differing as they do by the following essential factors.

Infrastructural studies v. cell phone usage studies:

  a. Primarily far-field v. primarily near-field exposures;

  b. Measured power density exposure levels v. estimated, absorbed dosages as SAR;

  c. Primarily chronic, longterm, even maximal and permanent duration v. primarily short and intermittent durations;

  d. Primarily involuntary, government-forced, unavoidable v. primarily voluntary, avoidable exposures;

  e. All humans, animals and plants v. primarily healthy, financially capable*, competent adults and their older children

* Capable enough to pay a cell phone bill, for example.

When you consider the extreme differences in these important variables, you understand why, as Dr. Dimitri Panagopoulos and others testified this year before Parliament, the scientific literature would indeed and in fact does show irrefutably and with overwhelming evidence the very serious and often permanent harmfulness of pulse-modulated cm-microwave radiation in interaction with the human body.

This well established fact cannot be refuted by the endless industry and industry-driven position statements that continue to use bullying power to overwhelm public opinion.

Anyone can look at the primary scientific papers and witness both their conclusions and their power density numbers. I made those papers available to you and all those who attended my lectures. Sadly, without the slightest review of that science, you made a false conclusion - publicly! - with no knowledge whatsoever, rather than avail yourself of the primary documents.

Nor, to my knowledge, has any other school trustee in Canada so much as inquired of the primary science. I thank you, at least, for attending my lectures, where I provided a basis for understanding this science and the quantitative data on the studies.

All school administrators and teachers, as well as parents working on the matter of school wifi, ought review these studies' conclusions publicly, one by one, with the numbers at which researchers concluded harm at power densities lower than Safety Code 6.

Let us be objective and caring toward both the rigorous RFR bioeffects science performed by many since the late 1920s - and toward our children. Otherwise the cloud of industry smoke-and-mirrors will continue to confuse policy, as you point out. Let us all set a good example for our children and not shrink from learning science. Since you are a physicist, I know you'll agree with me on this!

With gratitude for your initial efforts,

Susan Clarke

Web site www.weepinitiative.org e-mail contactweep@weepinitiative.org

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Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

13 August 2010

Local doctor shares his views on dangers from electromagnetic field radiation

http://thecoastnews.com/view/full_story/9109533/article-Local-doctor-shares-his-views-on-dangers-from-electromagnetic-field-radiation?instance=coast_more_news

by Lillian Cox

Dr. Dan Harper, M.D., was among the first to arrive at the Encinitas City Council meeting the evening of July 21. Carrying a 12-inch stack of medical journal articles about the health risks of electromagnetic field, or EMF, radiation, he was there to speak on behalf of his patient, Michael Schwaebe.

Schwaebe was appealing the placement of WiMAX towers on the site of the former Cabo Grill at Coast Highway 101 and La Costa Avenue. WiMAX is often referred to as "a cell tower on steroids."

Harper directed his initial remarks to the Sprint Clearwire representatives in attendance when he quoted author Upton Sinclair: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon him not understanding."

Harper said he was frustrated, but not surprised, that he was unable to complete his presentation.

It would have been illegal.

The wireless industry is protected by Article 704 of the Telecommunications Act signed by President Clinton in 1996 which prohibits arguments of potential health risks from communications towers to be made at public hearings, even if they are legitimate.

Consequently, Schwaebe and his fellow presenters were forced to fall back on a secondary argument, declining property values as a result of placement of the WiMAX towers.

Had Dr. Harper been able to complete his speech, following are points he would have made.

Today, there is an indisputable parallel between the wireless and the tobacco industry, which was not required to post warning labels on cigarette packaging and in advertising until 1965 — after generations of families suffered from respiratory illnesses, cancers and even death due to smoking.

"It took 50 years to get warning labels and they are still selling the product," Harper wrote in his notes.

In addition, he would have cited studies since the 1970s that show an increase in many cancers of those living within 300 meters of power lines. "Despite being a class 1B carcinogen, they are still building schools and houses on cheap land under power lines," his notes read.

He would have made the argument that if we post the addresses of sexual predators, why then can't the location of concealed or stealth cell tower antennaes also be posted.

Harper is a proponent of the need to develop safe neighborhoods for chemically sensitive and EMF-sensitive individuals such Michael Schwaebe by burying powerlines, having no wi-fi in a minimum of a half-mile radius, and no cell towers or pesticides or herbicides sprays in the area.

Finally, Harper would have made an argument that the EMF radiation controversy should actually be a state's rights issue.

"Even though the FCC has said to ignore the potential health risks to humans and have a 150-day limit on the request to locate their wireless units, you are the wall of protection," he wrote in his comments to City Council. "This is a federation of states with the states regulating the insurance, medical, dental and mortuary industries.

The sheriff of this county has more rights of executive power than the FBI since the sheriff is elected and accountable to the voters."

So, is he a whack job? Who is Dr. Dan Harper?

He graduated magna cum laud from Baylor College of Medicine, which today ranks No. 13 in research behind Stanford and before UCLA according to

www.MedSchool100.com.

He is board certified in holistic medicine and family medicine; and board eligible in emergency medicine with more than 35,000 hours of ER experience.

Before moving to San Diego five years ago he was licensed in Oregon, Wyoming, Montana and Texas. Currently he's licensed in California and Arizona.

It was changes he noticed in his own system and in his patients in his Solana Beach medical practice that prompted him to investigate environmental factors that impact health here on the coast.

"I did not have problems in Montana since no cell phone towers were there at the time," he said. "I got here and things were blazin' hot and people were ill due to the EMFs. There was catatonic schizophrenia, depression, autism, arrhythmias of heart, seizures — all related to EMF exposure. I hit pubmed.com (National Institutes of Health research website) and the Internet to find out why."

He also took several courses on EMFs offered through the American Academy of Environmental Medicine and studied under Dr. William J. Rea, who is considered one of the fathers of environmental medicine.

Harper learned that San Diego is the second-highest radiated city in the nation, behind Washington, D.C.

"There is 10 million times the background radiation in San Diego compared to 1970," he said. "It is caused by technology such as cell towers and high-powered transformer lines; military telecommunications; Doppler radar and sonograms shot into earthquake faults. It is also generated by wi-fi communications for computers and games, SDG&E smart meters and transformers on poles and on the ground of local neighborhoods (camouflaged) as green boxes."

Harper warns that EMF radiation even interferes with meditation at the Self Realization Fellowship.

Ultimately, he says this is leading to a generation of older Americans with pre-senile dementia being cared for by a younger generation with a disproportionate amount of brain cancer.
Beyond our own world, he warns that extremely low frequency, or ELF, radiation used to communicate with submarines is impacting ocean life.

"They interfere with the vestibular apparatus of the brains of the whales," Harper said. "It messes up their navigation and seems to impair cognition."

Frustrated, Dr. Harper walked out of the council meeting on July 21 after a woman representing the wireless industry said she had no closing remarks except to say that the city of Encinitas had no legal leg to stand on.

"My heart sank as I saw big business once again put the FCC knife to the throats of the City Council and tell them they would have to sit and watch as they raped and ravaged the community and there was nothing they could do," he said. "Every citizen is being blasted at a cellular level by this radiation. It may take two or three decades to manifest the cancer or dementia, but it is adversely affecting us all."

He said that 3 percent of the population is severely and rapidly affected with symptoms such as headaches, confusion, tachycardia, anxiety, skin burning and hives.

"Sixteen percent will only feel the fatigue, insomnia, 'brain farts' and memory issues, and the other 81 percent will look at that 19 percent and recommend a good psychiatrist until 30 or 40 years down the road (medical) articles will begin to report that cell phones and wi-fi are more dangerous than cigarettes, asbestos and leaded gasoline put together," he said.

After members of the Encinitas City Council explained that they had no choice but to deny the appeal, for fear of losing money in legal bills in a futile battle with the federal government, Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan called on citizens to write their congressmen and senators to demand that Article 704 be repealed.

The Coast News contacted Rep. Brian Bilbray and his opponent Francine Busby to ask if they would lead such a movement to repeal Article 704. To date, only Bilbray's office had responded.

Following is the statement from Bilbray's office: "Congressman Bilbray holds health and safety standards in the highest regard.

The standards used in the 1996 Telecom Act to support Article 704 were, at the time, the most stringent health standards available in the United States. A review of these standards has been scheduled by the Federal Communications Commission and Congressman Bilbray will make a determination on further action upon completion of the review."

Dr. Dan's Advice

Dr. Dan Harper offers a few tips on how to protect yourself from EMFs:

1. Purchase a Trifield Meter to measure EMF radiation in your home. The price is about $125 online.
2. In homes, make sure the grounding is done correctly at the junction box of the circuit breaker and of the switch box inside that grounds to the hot water. EMF-sensitive patients have to have a 3-foot section of nonmetallic pipe between their water meter and the house, or all the grounded negative energy comes from neighboring homes into their house and onto them when they shower or do dishes.
3. Keep children more than 4 to 5 feet from the front of the TV and away from any alternating current devices such as air filters, computers and stereos. 
4. Use a large computer monitor, with a corded mouse and key pad that can be set 3 to 4 feet away from the monitor and tower to prevent the strong EMFs from entering your body. Stay away from laptops.
5. Turn off electrical equipment at the surge protector when not in use. Turn off routers on wi-fi and computers so EMF radiation is not shot through the house and neighborhood.
6. Don't use a cordless phone. Get a speaker phone or land line.
7. Limit cell phone texting and talking, turning off the phone when not in use. If it is kept turned on, it is broadcasting microwaves into the tissues of the person carrying it and those around them. Second-hand radiation is more dangerous than second-hand cigarette smoke in my opinion. The further one gets from the cell tower, the stronger the cell phone blasts into the tissues trying to reach the tower. The closer one gets to the tower, the more the tower blasts the person there, whether they have a phone on or not.
8. Bluetooth phones triple the amount of negative energy entering your body.
9. Finally, don't live near a cell tower unless you have your life insurance policy and your medical insurance covers cancer, autoimmunity, dementia (including Alzheimer's and presenile dementia), heart disease, diabetes, and a large number of so called chronic diseases that have been shown to increase in the presence of harmful EMFs at low doses.

See the video at

http://thecoastnews.com/view/full_story/9109533/article-Local-doctor-shares-his-views-on-dangers-from-electromagnetic-field-radiation?instance=coast_more_news

Robert R

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How Free Wi-Fi Can Shut Down A Restaurant

Written by Todd L. Michaud

August 12th, 2010

Read more:

http://www.storefrontbacktalk.com/securityfraud/how-free-wi-fi-can-shut-down-a-restaurant/#ixzz0wRXJLAKs

David M

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Edge on Health Blog

Shedding a Little Light on Pollution

August 11th, 2010

http://www.annlouise.com/blog/2010/08/11/shedding-a-little-light-on-pollution/

What you don't know about lighting can hurt you.

Global warming may still be up for debate. But there's no question that the world's getting brighter—due to the proliferation of both indoor and outdoor lights.

"Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself," writes Verlyn Klinkenborg in a recent National Geographic article. Sleep scientists find that bathing our world in artificial light not only disrupts our body clocks but also disturbs hormone production.

One recent study links higher rates of breast cancer in women with night-time brightness in their neighborhoods. And numerous studies find an increased risk for cancers—prostate as well as breast—among night-shift workers. Experimental evidence suggests that the antioxidant hormone melatonin, critical for sound sleep and healthy immunity, plays a major role in increased cancer risk.

One interesting investigation published in Medical Hypotheses suggests that artificial—versus natural—light not only inhibits melatonin production but also increases the circulating estrogen levels, increasing the risk for melanoma. French researchers note the therapeutic effect of melatonin in metastatic diseases, and seasonal patterns in melanoma are consistent with seasonal melatonin production in the body.

A 2009 New York Academy of Sciences conference paper implicated artificial lighting in cancer, depression, diabetes, and obesity. And certain types of fluorescent lighting can be particularly damaging.

In addition to health problems—ranging from headaches and eye problems to electromagnetic radiation—linked to fluorescent lighting, a new study at the University of Pennsylvania finds that long-term exposure can cause cumulative skin damage in people with lupus and other photosensitive skin disorders. Those new energy-efficient compact bulbs add even another risk—the potential for mercury pollution.

Dr. Ann Louise's Take:

Light pollution may be the easiest environmental hazard to remedy. But it's all too easily overlooked in today's 24/7 world where people text into the wee hours and when global climate change seems a far more pressing issue.

I've been concerned about light pollution for some time now. The typical American gets only about 7 to 8 hours of darkness every night—and probably only secretes melatonin 6 to 7 of those hours. Without today's light pollution, though, we'd be producing this critical hormone for 9 to 10 hours a night!

Most indoor lighting ranges from 100 to 1,000 lux (a measurement of how light illuminates). Studies show that as little as 100 lux at night can inhibit melatonin production—and 500 lux (easily achieved in our brightly lighted homes and urban centers) can impair melatonin production up to 98%.

The Right Light

Then there are specific risk factors depending on the type of artificial light you're exposed to. For example, energy efficient fluorescents—whether those long tubes or the compact fluorescent lights (CFL)—create elevated magnetic and electric fields whenever they're on.

Research at University of Oklahoma College of Medicine also finds that compact fluorescent bulbs—unless they come with shields—leak ultraviolet B radiation, which is key in promoting skin cancer. Is this the lighting you want next to your—or your child's—head?

Break one of these corkscrew-shaped CFLs—and you've got a Hazmat crisis right in your own home! That's because the mercury in just one bulb can contaminate a whole room. Recycling them isn't easy, either. In a landfill near your home, they leach mercury in groundwater and soil.

In addition to fluorescents, halogen lights (which generate a lot of heat and require ventilation) and even the electrical wiring in your home can produce significant amounts of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), increasingly found hazardous to human health. A low voltage DC halogen light that's set into the ceiling is safe if you're beneath it, but it can radiate high magnetic fields about three feet into the floor above, so don't place them underneath rooms where children sleep or play. In addition, the AC magnetic fields produced by lights and ceiling fans are greater in the rooms above them because you are closer to the source.

For safety's sake, the classic incandescent bulb and LEDs are best. There's a new generation of these lights coming to market that meets the tough 2012 efficiency standards, and Philips makes an energy-efficient incandescent bulb (really a halogen lamp in incandescent clothing) that's already available at Home Depot and on Amazon.

Up Your Melatonin

This hormone enhances the power of the immune system's lymphocytes to fight cancer cells that slip by the body's other defenses, so it's hardly surprising that low melatonin levels have been implicated in breast cancer, melanoma, and malignancies of the ovary and prostate. Low levels of melatonin are also linked in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Even low levels of EMFs can depress melatonin production, so I advise trying some of the detection devices I've found useful in my own home. Go to

www.annlouise.com/65/emf-product-guide/

for handy, reasonably priced ways to discover—and if necessary, re-mediate—dangerous radiation in your home or office.

Room-darkening drapes and shades won't reduce your exposure to electrical and magnetic field radiation. But keeping your room darker longer can help your body produce more melatonin, which is also diminished by exposure to EMFs.

In studies of older people (who tend to have lower than normal levels of melatonin and consequently have trouble sleeping), those who were exposed to about two hours of sunlight a day had higher levels of melatonin—and slept better—than those who didn't spend as much time in the sun. Even being outside on a cloudy day or sitting in the shade appears useful.

Blue light helps keep you alert, but it also suppresses melatonin production in the evening. Researchers with the Lighting Innovations Institute at John Carroll University in Ohio have developed reasonably priced blue-blocking glasses, light bulbs, and night lights that their studies found helped promote better sleep and reduced symptoms of ADHD in people who wore them a few hours before bedtime (see resources).

LowBlueLights.com has special glasses and nightlights that block out blue light that inhibits melatonin production. I own a pair of these glasses and wear them an hour before bed, which helps me sleep through the night without waking.

Because melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle and supports other antioxidants as well as vital immune system components called natural killer cells, also consider melatonin supplements (1 to 3 mg in a time-release formula). Tart red cherries are an excellent food source of this antioxidant hormone.

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VW / Audi, What were you thinking?

Are they trying to produce the world's most dangerous car?

Mobile microwave?

"Audi's A8 luxury sedan will be the first vehicle with a factory integrated mobile hotspot when it ships this fall with an adapter capable of connecting up to eight devices via WiFi or Bluetooth. Audi integrates a WLAN module and antenna on the roof, using technology from chip-maker Marvell and Harman Automotive.

The company says its WiFi software architecture is optimized for extremely low power consumption on battery-powered consumer electronics, enabling passengers to connect to the vehicle's network without affecting the battery life of their connected devices. The Audi system, called the Marvell Mobile Hotspot, will support any combination of smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, and gaming devices."

Web site www.weepinitiative.org e-mail contactweep@weepinitiative.org

To sign up for WEEP News: newssignup@weepinitiative.org  (provide name and e-mail address)

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Left-sided Cancer / Striking a balance / Comment / Apple stunning discovery / News from Israel

W.E.E.P. News

Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News

3 July 2010

Left-sided Cancer: Blame your bed and TV?

Jul 2, 2010 04:30 PM in Health & Medicine

By R. Douglas Fields

http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=left-sided-cancer-blame-your-bed-an-2010-07-02

Curiously, the cancer rate is 10 percent higher in the left breast than in the right. This left-side bias holds true for both men and women and it also applies to the skin cancer melanoma. Researchers Örjan Hallberg of Hallberg Independent Research in Sweden and Ollie Johansson of The Karolinska Institute in Sweden, writing in the June issue of the journal Pathophysiology, suggest a surprising explanation that not only points to a common cause for both cancers, it may change your sleeping habits.

For unknown reasons the rates of breast cancer and melanoma have both increased steadily in the last 30 years. Exposure to the sun elevates the risk of melanoma, but the sun's intensity has not changed in the last three decades. Stranger still, melanoma most commonly affects the hip, thighs and trunk, which are areas of the body protected from the sun. What is responsible for the left-side dominance and increasing incidence of these cancers?

An intriguing clue comes from the Far East. In Japan there is no correlation between the rates of melanoma and breast cancer as there is in the West, and there is no left-side prevalence for either disease.

Moreover, the rate of breast cancer in Japan is significantly lower than in the West; only 3 percent of what is seen in Sweden, for example. The rate of prostate cancer in Japan is only 10 percent of that in the U.K. and U.S.

The researchers suggest an explanation based on differences in sleeping habits in Japan and Western countries. Previous research has shown that both men and women prefer to sleep on their right sides.

The reasons for this general preference are unclear, but sleeping on the right side may reduce the weight stress on the heart, and the heartbeat is not as loud as when sleeping on the left. Still, there is no reason to suspect that people in Japan sleep in positions that are any different from those in the West. The beds in Japan, however, are different. The futons used for sleeping in Japan are mattresses placed directly on the bedroom floor, in contrast to the elevated box springs and mattress of beds used in the West. A link between bedroom furniture and cancer seems absurd, but this, the researchers conclude, is the answer.

The first line of evidence they cite comes from a 2007 study in Sweden conducted between 1989 and 1993 that revealed a strong link between the incidence of melanoma and the number of FM and TV transmission towers covering the area where the individuals lived. Despite epidemiological correlations like this one suggesting the possibility that electromagnetic radiation from FM and TV broadcasts stations could suppress the immune system and promote cancer, the strength of these electromagnetic fields is so feeble it has been difficult to imagine any biological basis for the correlation.

Consider, however, that even a TV set cannot respond to broadcast transmissions unless the weak electromagnetic waves are captured and amplified by an appropriately designed antenna. Antennas are simply metal objects of appropriate length sized to match the wavelength of a specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation. Just as saxophones are made in different sizes to resonate with and amplify particular wavelengths of sound, electromagnetic waves are selectively amplified by metal objects that are the same, half or one quarter of the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave of a specific frequency. Electromagnetic waves resonate on a half-wavelength antenna to create a standing wave with a peak at the middle of the antenna and a node at each end, just as when a string stretched between two points is plucked at the center. In the U.S. bed frames and box springs are made of metal, and the length of a bed is exactly half the wavelength of FM and TV transmissions that have been broadcasting since the late 1940s. In Japan most beds are not made of metal, and the TV broadcast system does not use the 87- to 108-megahertz frequency used in Western countries.

Thus, as we sleep on our coil-spring mattresses, we are in effect sleeping on an antenna that amplifies the intensity of the broadcast FM/TV radiation. Asleep on these antennas, our bodies are exposed to the amplified electromagnetic radiation for a third of our life spans. As we slumber on a metal coil-spring mattress, a wave of electromagnetic radiation envelops our bodies so that the maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress in the middle of our bodies. When sleeping on the right side, the body's left side will thereby be exposed to field strength about twice as strong as what the right side absorbs.

If this study is correct, the solution is simple: Replace the metal in our beds with a nonmetallic mattress or orient your bed, like an antenna, away from the direction of the local FM/TV transmission tower. Call it high-tech feng shui if you like, but if this new study has not identified the cause of left-side cancer, it will, for some, be the cause of insomnia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. Douglas Fields, Ph. D. is the Chief of the Nervous System Development and Plasticity Section at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Fields, who conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University, Yale University, and the NIH, is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Neuron Glia Biology and member of the editorial board of several other journals in the field of neuroscience. He is the author of the new book The Other Brain (Simon and Schuster), about cells in the brain (glia) that do not communicate using electricity.   His hobbies include building guitars, mountain climbing, and scuba diving.  He lives in Silver Spring, Md.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

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Striking a balance on wireless facilities

Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 9:00 AM

Guest Columnist Amanda Fritz

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/06/striking_a_balance_on_wireless.html

Cell phones and wireless Internet access are increasingly essential services. More than 60 percent of 9-1-1 calls in Portland come from cell phones. But these services require the physical equipment needed to provide coverage.

While many Portlanders want reliable wireless services, few welcome a transmission antenna near their home. Concerns include potential health risks, aesthetic issues and property values. But existing poles are reaching capacity, and new companies want to serve Portlanders. As the commissioner in charge of the bureau that oversees those services, I must balance the desired growth in cellular services with the livability of our neighborhoods, while also complying with applicable laws.

Some people have asked the city to deny all new antenna applications. But the federal government doesn't allow local jurisdictions to "prohibit or effectively prohibit" the ability of any entity to provide telecommunications service, and the Federal Communications Commission has ruled that cities may not consider health concerns in their permitting process.

Last year at my request, the City Council passed a first-in-the-nation resolution asking the FCC to require a review of scientific studies on potential health impacts of wireless systems. But Congress has not yet pressed the FCC to conduct this review, and Portlanders concerned about wireless health risks should contact federal lawmakers to urge their assistance.

Some have alleged that the city's primary interest in wireless services is the fees collected. Franchise and pole fees do generate millions of dollars, vital to help pay for basic city services -- police, fire, housing, parks. The public should benefit from the private use of our streets. Some have claimed that the city is giving "$13 million in tax breaks" to wireless companies because land-line usage is taxed but cellular usage is not. While such tax equity is an important issue, cell phone bills are already high, so adding taxes would not likely reduce demand.

Previously, permits for antennas on utility poles were approved without neighborhood notice or input. The city's zoning code applies only to lots, not streets. Applying zoning code reviews to all streets, as some have urged, would require the resolution of multiple legal issues after an extensive public process. We simply don't have the capacity to engage in those discussions with so many other urgent challenges during the recession.

Instead, early in my council term I worked with citizens who opposed a controversial 2008 proposal, as well as the city attorney's office, staff in cable and development services and industry representatives. We agreed on a new process that encourages neighbors' comments on antenna applications for residential streets, and that permits antennas in neighborhoods only if absolutely necessary. It allows taller structures so there can be fewer of them. It also includes significant incentives to avoid neighborhood streets and sets design standards to minimize impacts.

Given legal constraints and the desire of many Portlanders for good wireless service, these rules strike the right balance for regulating cellular facilities. No cell towers have been built in residential areas since 2004. Of the 80 antennas on utility poles, approximately 20 are on small neighborhood streets. And citizen participation now informs the permitting process, resulting in constructive changes.

It's not prudent to expose Portland taxpayers to the financial liability of lawsuits if we effectively prohibit cellular companies from providing service. To increase local control, we must change the federal mandates. Concerned citizens should urge Congress to address these issues promptly.

Amanda Fritz is a Portland city commissioner.

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Comment to above story:

wirelesswatch July 02, 2010 at 7:57AM

On it's face, the 1996 telecommunications act is unconstitutional, a cover-up and a license to kill. The telecoms are shielded from "health concerns" as a valid consideration when challenging the location of a cell tower. Free speech? We don't use it anyway. "Health Concerns" why? What do they know and when did they know it? The Government and the Military have known for over 50 years that radio frequency is harmful to all biological systems. Bees, bats, humans, plants and trees are all affected by it. While people complain about cell towers going in next to schools we allow the school board to install wi fi in all the schools and irradiate our kids for 6-7 hours each day before they go home and let their parents finish the job with DECT portable phones, wi fi and Wii's.

A tsunami of cancers and early alzheimer's await our kids while the Portland School Board won't even consider adding to the health curriculum information on "safer" cell phone use and the dangers of wireless technology. We teach about alcohol, tobacco, drugs and safe sex but not about cell phone use. Young people under the age of 20 are 420% more at risk of forming brain tumors because of their soft skulls, brain size and cell turn over time. We are in a wireless trance and many scientists are in a state of panic as they see this thing expand with no safety testing or public education programs in place. http://www.wirelesswatchblog.com

wirelesswatch July 02, 2010 at 9:11AM

Barrie Trower Cell Phone Tower Radiation Dangers Deception Part 4
Posted by admin on July 1st, 2010 and filed under mobile phones | No Comments »

http://www.emfnews.org

Barry Trower
Document 2.:

In Sir William Stewart's report page 113, frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz are defines as microwaves.

This is in line with the International Commission's definition of microwaves as defined in 1998.

Therefore everything discussed in this report is in the microwave frequency.

Microwaves react very differently in our water-based bodies to radio waves.
The term 'Radio Frequency' is often used to describe microwaves based communication systems.

It is important that the term 'Radio Frequency' is not associated with Radio Waves, but associated with microwaves.

Microwaves are used by the communications industry because they are more penetrative than radio waves.

The Stewart Report 2004 asks that anecdotal evidence be taken seriously in the absence of long-term epidemiological studies, concerning illnesses around the area of mobile phone transmitters. Such anecdotal evidence produced July 2002 refers to 92 cases of cancer around just 19 mobile phone transmitters.

Other illnesses on the same paper refer to breast cancers, thyroid, bowel and blood problems.

Another report dated November 2003 titled 'School References (school and cell tower antennas)' from 138 schools lists miscarriages, brain tumours, cancers, breast cancers and teachers ill within this report. One single school had transmitters on its roof in the Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole quarter of France where 8 cases of cancer were confirmed among children in the district.

Common sense dictates that if you surround the school with mobile transmitters, the children will be able to use their mobile phones in school, this obviously exacerbates the problem of surrounding the children with microwave radiation.

The Stewart Report on page 63, section 4.1.1 recommends …..RF fields to which the public will be exposed will be kept to the lowest practical level that will be commensurate with the system….

The same page the Stewart Group recommend….. Base Stations sited within school grounds that the beam of greatest intensity should not fall on any part of the school grounds or buildings without agreement from the school and parents.

Similar considerations should apply to macro base stations sited near school grounds.

Doctor Gerd Oberfield , published a report dated Novemberand December 2004, titled 'Putting Cellphone Antennas near schools is too Risky'.

This report states:…..with respect to negative health effects on people living in close proximity to cell phone towers, there are three different epidemiological studies including our recent study. All of them found statistically significant relationships between exposure to radiation and health effects.

Two of the studies did measurements in subject's bedrooms and found significant increases in stress related symptoms as well and neurological symptoms…. Also depression, fatigue, sleep disorders and concentration difficulty were found. These symptoms were related to exposure levels, not distance from the antennas. A recent research project called EU-Reflex or European Union Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards from Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure using sensitive in Vitro Methods shows that cells exposed to cell phone radiation exhibit chromosomal damage well below the exposure guidelines of the W.H.O.

Barrie Trower

http://www.emfnews.org/productinfo.html

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Apple stunning discovery ?

FAQ: What does the 5-bar signal strength icon really mean?
CNET

The five bars measure the decibels of power that is being received from the cell phone tower. What does it mean if I have fewer bars versus if I have more ...

Apple acknowledged the problem, and explained that customers were simply covering up the antenna with their hand. Now the company says its engineers have made a "stunning" discovery.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20009608-266.html

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News from Israel

Yesterday evening a TV program "what the cell companies hide from us" showed:

A brain tumor victim who can hardly walk, Zvika, plans with the rest of his time to sue the companies. His tumor is at the same side of where he spoke. His wife told to the camera that if it's from the phone it's very sad. She talked of his intellectual ability deterioration. He is going to file a class action.

Dan Shilon a respected TV journalist was hired by the companies to improve their image. He asked to receive full journalism freedom and got it but he also signed on a contract to keep everything in secret {...} he reached to too much info so they cancelled his program (they funded it). I sent the item about it in the past, so now he was interviewed. He said that he had found phones are dangerous, and he thinks that clearly there is a problem with both the phones and antennas. The main person on Shilon's program was supposed to be Prof. Sadezki she was interviewed and said that "it is very possible that there is a connection between phones and cancer" and that there are indications like time of use and same side. She said I am absolutely not saying let's stop using it but to speak wisely. To put the phone at distance from the body [her logic is not clear: isn't it the same logic like saying: let's use this wisely, by throwing it to the sea, isn't it like taking as much as distance from the body as possible. What kind of logic is she saying here I can't understand].

Yossi Riback was taken into focus: a professor of TV university, an occupational M.D who is hired by the cell companies is taken for a deep talk about it-  he was asked: can it be that they are using you in order to whiten themselves in the eyes of the public?

he answered: "absolute negative"

He said that his opinion is consistent and it is OK that someone is doing a work and is paid for that. But this reflects what he thinks on the subject.

COM device was used in order to show radiation from the phone to distance and recommending air tubes.

Two measurement were taken of antenna- one before the cell phone companies knew about it and another afterwards they knew about the TV crew there.

The first before 21 uW/cm2

After - 0.4 uW/cm2

Yael German, the Mayor of Herzelia was talking about the companies action to increase their wealth only - from rich companies to richer companies on the public's back. She resisted for long time to non informing the public on erection of antennas. The companies come to erect antennas at 2:00 AM middle of night like thieves in order to not be seen by the public.  In the past she received a letter from Tal Zilberstein, who was consultant to Ehud Ulmert Israeli former prime minister, Tal was the spokesman for the cellular companies forum which is a PR office, Yael German said its job was to take care that none interferes with what they (companies) want to do. So she received a letter from Tal threatening her to disconnect her city from cellular communication because she runs a fear journey that throws salt in the eyes of the public in order to advance herself politically. He wrote that if you want to disconnect your city from cellular connection it will be considered positively. She asks to inform the public on antennas. The Knesset made a law that enforced to have construction license for each antenna. Ofir Piner former MP who fought the companies: the companies have strong lobby and the public pays very expensive health price.

Cellular forum reaction to everything:

Whoever wants to talk safely has to understand that he has to have an antenna near his house.

Stelian Galberg from the Env. ministry wrote to Yeal German that her lack of co-operation hurts the citizens because they are exposed to more radiation. That she must enable more antennas and it will profit the residents.

All antennas stand in the standards.

The two measurements before and after: the companies "were ready" to decrease the radiation from antennas after they were approached to.

On Shilon: the movie was a part of a campaign of the forum to increase antennas, but they decided not to do it because they understood that without the support of the health and Env. ministry it would not receive the public trust.

Wow isn't it? ...

full programme

http://news.nana10.co.il/Section/?SectionID=10860

parts:

http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=729357&typeid=30

http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=729257&typeid=30

http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=729368&typeid=30

http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=729362&typeid=30

http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=729373&typeid=30

http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=729367&typeid=30

Submitted by Iris

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