Monday, March 31, 2008

Concern in Europe on Cellphone Ads for Children

Published Saturday, March 8, 2008

Concern in Europe on Cellphone Ads for Children

http://www.blueridgenow.com:80/article/20080308/ZNYT05/803080345/
1171/AP/ZNYT05/Concern_in_Europe_on_Cellphone_Ads_for_Children


Illustration by The New York Times


PARIS — The MO1 beginner mobile phone is not as cuddly as a teddy bear, but manufacturers of the curvy crimson-and-blue handset for 6-year-olds promise a similarly warm and fuzzy relationship. They boast about socialization, emotional health and the comforts of "peace of mind."

And yet such shiny child-size phones are stirring some parental and government unease, particularly at a time when the mobile telephone industry is reaching deeper into saturated markets to tap customers with chubby hands capable of cradling both dolls and phones.

Already, the category of young customers — tweens and teens — is driving subscriber growth in the United States, according to IDC, a technology research firm in Massachusetts, which projects that 31 million new young users will join the market from 2005 to 2010.

The year 2006 was the turning point when the industry started focusing not just on teenagers and adults but also on tweens — children between middle childhood and adolescence, about 8 to 12 years old — and even children as young as 5. Bright new "kiddie" telephones began appearing on the market that can speed-dial grandma and grandpa with a click of a button.

The MO1 — developed by Imaginarium, a toy company, and Telefónica in Spain — prompted some parent groups in Europe to demand a government ban on marketing to children. Here in France, the health minister recently issued a warning against excessive mobile phone use by young children.

The objections are driven in part by a lack of knowledge over the long-term health effects of mobile phone use. But they also appear to reflect an instinctive worry about whether parents should be giving young children cellphones at all. Jóvenes Verdes, an environmental advocacy group for young people in Spain, argues that "the mobile telephone industry is acting like the tobacco industry by designing products that addict the very young."

While there is no specific evidence that mobile telephones pose a health threat to young users, researchers worry that there is still only scanty scientific information about the long-term impact of radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile telephones on the developing brains and tissues of children.

In France the health minister, Roselyne Bachelot, has taken such concerns public, issuing an alert in January urging parents to limit use, reducing children's telephone calls to no more than six minutes. Her announcement followed a similar warning by the Health and Radio Frequencies Foundation, a government-backed research group created two years ago to study the impact of radio frequency fields on humans.

"I believe in the principle of precaution," Ms. Bachelot said in an interview. "If there is a risk, then children with developing nervous systems would be affected. I've alerted parents about the use of mobile telephones because it's absurd for young children to have them."

The French foundation is moving now to organize a broad international research project to study the potential risks for children. More studies are developing in other countries. The Mobile Telecommunication and Health Research Program in Britain, which is financed by the state and local telecommunications industry, is in the early stage of organizing a children's study.

Another project, called Cefalo, is under way in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland to explore whether mobile telephone use increases the risk of brain tumors for children.

In January, the National Research Council in the United States also delivered a report — commissioned by the Food and Drug Administration — that reviewed existing scientific studies around the world and urged further research on the impact of mobile phone use on children and pregnant women.

"This clearly is a population that is going to grow up with a great deal of larger exposure than anybody else because the kids use the phones all the time," said Frank Barnes, a professor of engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder who led the study. "And you've got growing bodies and brains, so if there is going to be an impact, that's likely to be a more sensitive population than others." Every year, the average age of novice mobile phone users is dropping, hitting 10 years old last year, according to Scott Ellison, an IDC analyst who forecasts that the 9-and-under market will increase to nine million users in the United States and $1.6 billion in revenue by 2010.

Telephone use is also getting more precocious in Europe, according to a Eurobarometer survey of almost 1,000 children in 29 countries, most of whom had telephones after age 9.

The youth market is particularly enticing because these customers treat their mobile telephones more like a companion than a device — or like a "doudou" or stuffed animal — as AFOM, the French mobile telephone operators trade association, described it in a report on customers' habits in a summer survey. In general, young customers chatter more on the phone, spending more on the latest games, ring tones and wallpapers.

Governmental authorities around the world have taken different approaches to the health issue. The Health Council of the Netherlands concluded in 2002 that there was no special risk for children, while health authorities in Britain, Russia and France all urge precautions.

The current government view in the United States is that a review of scientific literature "indicates that there is no real suggestion that children are inherently more sensitive to radio frequency radiation," according to an F.D.A. spokeswoman, Karen Riley. But "since children are still developing and have more life span left," she added, "it is not unreasonable to continue to investigate this issue."

When it comes to children, mobile operators and manufacturers have avoided the health issue and focused more on protecting them from pornographic material or bullying messages and photographs on mobile telephones.

In December, Telefónica, which helped develop the MO1 and a more sophisticated version for young children, the Win1, announced a code of conduct for responsible use of mobile telephones by young customers. Orange and Vodafone also signed on, but the accord focused on controlling the visits of minors to sexual content.

French mobile operators — which are facing pressure on the issue — have been meeting with parent groups through their trade association, AFOM, which has pledged not to market telephones for young children. The mobile telephone industry considers telephones safe for children, according to Michael Milligan, secretary general of the Brussels-based Mobile Manufacturers Forum, which represents all the big makers.

"It's really up to parents whether they let children use mobile phones." Mr. Milligan said. "Most parents recognize the enormous safety aspects of mobile phones."

Nokia, the world's leading manufacturer of hand-held telephones, said that it shared that view. "There has been a lot of work done on the effects of mobile exposure over a significant period of time, and there is no scientific consensus that there should be any reason for the impact to be any different on children," said Mark Durrant, a spokesman for Nokia at its headquarters in Finland.

In Europe, scientists are close to wrapping up a broad seven-year study of adults in 13 countries — including Japan, Israel and much of Western Europe — that ultimately could give more impetus and financing to research on children. In what is called the Interphone study, scientists have evaluated more than 6,000 people with different forms of cancer and brain tumors to determine whether there is a link to mobile telephone use.

The early results from some individual nations in the Interphone study have already prompted a few participating scientists to speak of a need for caution.

"Simple measures should be taken to lower the exposure," said Siegal Sadetzki, who heads the Israeli group in the Interphone study and advocates hands-free devices and limitations on use among younger children. "I'm not against cellphones at all. This is a technique that is here to say. But we have to learn how to use this technique with reason."

The Israeli study, published last May in The American Journal of Epidemiology, detected no increased risk of cancer among a smaller group of patients with tumors of the salivary glands, which are near the ear. But when the group was divided between moderate and heavy telephone users, the risk of cancer increased for people who spoke for prolonged periods and used the phone on the same side of the head.

Lead researchers caution, though, that they need to look at the total results from their wider pool of people.

For most parents, decisions about cellphones are driven by other concerns. When his daughter Morgan was 12 years old, Greg Pozgar of Claysburg, Pa., resisted buying a mobile phone for her, mostly because he was worried she might run up a huge bill.

"My biggest concern was whether my children were responsible enough to handle it," he said. "It's not just a toy."

Morgan received her first phone as a Christmas gift and went on to become a champion of text messaging at age 13 in a national $25,000 competition organized last year by the telephone manufacturer LG.

As it turns out, she does not indulge in a lot of talking on the phone, but she does send and receive up to 7,000 text messages a month. Mr. Pozgar — who has been coaching football for 17 years — has noticed that lately more of his 8- and 9-year-old players are packing mobile telephones.

"I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing," he said. "But how does a kid that old seem responsible enough with not losing or breaking it. My gosh, they can barely remember to tie their shoes."

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Fluorescent bulbs and Your Health

WEEP
Canadain Initiative to Stop
Wireless, Electrci, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
weepinitiative.org


See video demonstration of incandescent and CFL light bulb EMF emissions http://weepinitiative.org/forum.html?#bulbs

The following is excerpted from Living with EHS. A Survival Guide
http://weepinitiative.org/livingwithEHS.html


REPLACE FLOURESCENT LIGHTS AND BULBS
with incandescent bulbs. Although the government is encouraging everyone to use fluorescent bulbs, they only have power savings in mind. They are toxic in more ways than one: they emit strong EMFs and contain mercury. Research is being conducted on a certain type of LED lighting which may be safer to use.
The following is excerpted from Environment Canada's website: "Because mercury is toxic and has significant impacts on human and environmental health, even small mercury spills should be considered hazardous and should be cleaned up with caution. Liquid mercury, commonly found in household thermometers, thermostats and barometers, volatilizes easily to form a poisonous, colourless and odourless vapor when spilled. If inhaled, this vapor is rapidly absorbed through the lungs of an exposed individual. Children are especially at risk of exposure because mercury vapors, which are heavier than air, often linger near the floor where children crawl and play."
read the protocol for cleaning up a 'small' mercury spill



Professor Magda Havas of Trent University, Ontario, one of the world's leading researchers on the biological effects of EMF, states:

"CFLs produce radio wave frequencies that radiate directly from the bulbs and also go on the electrical wiring in the home or school. The closer you sit to the bulb, the greater your exposure. Because the high frequencies travel along the wire, you can be exposed in other rooms of your home as well as in the room that contains the CFL.

Many complain that they cannot be in a room with fluorescent lights because they feel 'unwell.' These people have difficulty shopping in large department stores because of the lighting and often go with list in hand and spend as little time in the store as possible. Their cognitive functions diminish and some have difficulty recalling where they parked their car."

The adverse effects of dirty electricity come in many forms. On insulin production and blood glucose levels. Dr. Havas reports:

"We can take a person who is diabetic and put them in an electrically dirty environment, and their blood sugar levels rise. We then put them into a clean environment, and within half an hour their blood sugar levels are lower. It becomes a barometer."

After studying the frequencies created by various CFL bulbs, Dr. Havas advises:

"Some packages even have a warning about the radio frequenc,y saying this light may interfere with radio reception. Indeed this is something that most people can test with a portable radio on AM. As you bring the radio close to an energy efficient bulb that produces radio frequencies the radio will begin to buzz. This is known as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and is a concern for anyone using wireless technology such as mobile phones or wireless computers.

But the real problem is that these frequencies are making people sick. Three independent groups in the UK, including the British Association of Dermatologists, the Migraine Action Association, and Epilepsy Action, have reported illness among their members who have tried energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFL). The most common symptoms are headaches-including migraines, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, ringing in the ears, eyestrain, nausea and skin irritations.

Not all energy efficient bulbs are the same. Some do not contribute to dirty electricity and do not produce radio frequencies and this includes a few compact fluorescent lights, some LEDs (light emitting dioxides) and some halogen bulbs. Unfortunately most of the bulbs on the market will make people sick. Reducing green house gases is important but doing it with flawed technology that will make the user ill is not the right course of action. If governments are going to ban the energy-inefficient but electromagnetically clean incandescent bulb, then they should also ban bulbs that produce radio frequency pollution.

I would encourage anyone who has recently purchased energy efficient bulbs and has since developed any of the symptoms mentioned above to test the bulb for radiation with a portable radio and if the radio buzzes to return the bulb to the retail store for a full refund. Even if our government hasn't done its homework, individual consumers can still make a difference."

Although LEDs look like the solution to this dilemma m
ost use DC power and require a ballast or controller to drop voltage to 2-4vts DC for operations. The electronics involved create the dirty electricity. So it would be best to get LEDs that don't have this technology attached.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

EMF-Omega-News 29. March 2008

Dear Sir, Madam, Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

for your information.

Best regards,
Klaus Rudolph
Citizens' Initiative Omega
http://www.next-up.org/Newsoftheworld/OmegaNews.php

http://www.mastsanity.org/index.php?option=com_newsfeeds&task=view&feedid=1&Itemid=52
http://mast-victims.org/index.php?content=news&action=view&type=newsitem&id=2569
Member of the Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society)
Protectorate Union of the Citizens and Initiatives for the Protection
against Electrosmog
http://www.buergerwelle.com http://www.buergerwelle.de

Mobiles may be death sentence
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4816548/

Em Fields On Brain Tumor Incidence
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4818057/

Radio Waves of a cell phone alter your proteins?
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4818189/

A Comparison Between Two Interphone Studies: Risk of Parotid Gland
Tumors from Cellphone Use
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4805903/

EMF electrical radiation pollution involving cell phone
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804735/

Electrocution of America: Is Your Utility Company Out to Kill You?
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4807920/

Proven Increase in Cancer Incidence Around Telephone Exchange Center
Hausmannstätten
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4811119/

Experts weigh in on the dangers of cell phones
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4812069/

CANCER and Wireless Technology
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4818031/

Microwaves and EHS
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4817034/

Death of the Bees: GMO Crops and the Decline of Bee Colonies in North
America
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4812159/

Open Letter to Dr. M. Chan, WHO Director-General
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4808348/

TAKE ACTION ON MICROWAVE/EMR HEALTH POLICY
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4812131/

PHONE FIRM PUTS UP MAST DESPITE BAN
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4808928/

C.A.P.E. and Electro Magnetic Radiation Pollution
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4810719/

Bell won't answer call as residents slam tower to be built 'near kids'
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4811821/

Legal moves in phone mast row
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4812172/

Mobile phone masts get the go ahead for Southfields
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4813379/

The right for protection from cell phone radiation
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4813991/

Phone masts policy U-turn boosts coffers
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4814825/

Row over phone mast blunder continues
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4816289/

Profits from phone masts fuel debate
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4818272/

Powerlines are a "problem for health"
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4814412/

ALZ...MEDICAL PARADOX....OR DANGEROUS DRUGS?
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4816458/

Sustainable agriculture through the use of aquaponic technologies
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4809384/

Les réalités de l'accident de l'Autoroute A9
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4818735/

Sí existen pruebas que confirman el daño de las ondas electromagnéticas
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4806009/

News from Mast Sanity
http://tinyurl.com/aotw3

--------

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http://tinyurl.com/93epp
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________________________________________________________________________
Note: EMF-Omega News belongs to the Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated
society), Umbrella Organization of the Citizens and Initiatives for the
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Editor and responsible for the content: Citizens' Initiative Omega,
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Dialogue on Electromagnetic Fields and Health Dr. Magda Havas and Dr. Tony Muc

April 9th 2008
Dialogue on Electromagnetic Fields and Health

Dr. Magda Havas and Dr. Tony Muc

1:10 to 2:40 in Room - Pond Inlet, Brock University, St Catharine's, Ontario


Electromagnetic Fields and how they affect humans and other organisms is addressed from two different perspectives. Dr. Greg Finn will moderate this town hall meeting - two 15 minute presentations followed by a Q&A session.

Dr. Magda Havas:

We have been using electromagnetic energy in the form of electricity since the invention of the light bulb, but our growing reliance on electronic devices and wireless technology has increased our exposure to a broad range of electromagnetic frequencies especially during the past three decades. A growing scientific body of research documents biological effects and adverse health effects at levels well below the current Canadian guidelines for both power line frequency (60 Hz) magnetic fields and radio frequency radiation (kHz to GHz range).
However, neither Health Canada nor Industry Canada have recognized the
need to reduce existing guidelines to reflect the scientific evidence.
Studies show increased risk of various types of cancers with exposure to both magnetic field (60 Hz) and radio frequency radiation;
miscarriages;
increased calcium flux;
increased permeability of the
blood brain barrier;
DNA breaks;
changes in melatonin levels;

increased production of stress protein;
increased plasma glucose among
diabetics;
and symptoms of electrohypersensitivity (EHS).
Those who
suffer from EHS have difficulty when they are exposed to electromagnetic energy associated with computers, mobile phones, wireless routers/computers/antennas and certain types of energy efficient lighting. Their symptoms include any combination of the following: chronic fatigue, chronic pain, sleep disorders, skin disorders, neurological disorders, tinnitus, eye problems and/or digestive problems. With approximately 3% of the population severely affected and another 35% moderately affected by this energy, we have a serious environmental/health crisis emerging.

Dr. Tony Muc:

Electromagnetic energy has been an integral part of nature since the instant of creation of the universe as we know it. Indeed it may well be that the discharge of electric fields in the atmosphere and ultraviolet radiation from the sun were instrumental in the creation of life itself. At the present time humankind's knowledge of and experience with electromagnetic energy spans a range of 22 orders of magnitude. That range is only exceeded by those associated with space and time. Humans have built-in detectors of electromagnetic energy. The most important such detectors are our eyes (our skin is another). But our eyes only work over one third of an order of magnitude. That's only a tiny window on the whole spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and the fields associated with the generation, distribution and use of electromagnetic energy in all its forms.

Recent centuries, say since Newton's time, have seen a gradual growth in scientific knowledge related to electric and magnetic fields, how they are related to each other in the form of electromagnetic fields and how all three are related to humans and other organisms. Recent decades, say since Einstein's time, have seen an explosion in applications that exploit various properties and features of
electromagnetism to benefit modern society in innumerable ways in medicine, in communications, in industry, in commerce and, sadly, in war (yes, waging war effectively is a benefit to a ?hawk?). And, as with all aspects of human endeavour, along with benefits have come costs. What are the benefits and to whom do they accrue? What are the costs and who pays them? The ?eternal? elements of the debates that rage over occupational and environmental health and safety issues everywhere be the agents physical, chemical or biological. And, unfortunately, the debates rage between polarized groups: union vs management, environmentalist vs industrialist, liberal vs conservative, ?conventional? medicine vs chiropractic or homeopathic or ?traditional? medicine and so on. As a consequence, in these primal societal and often personal power struggles, it is all too often the case that the baby - science - gets thrown out with the bath water.
One must wonder what form of logic is operating when the foundations of society's present achievements are dismissed or ignored by those who claim a crisis? is emerging.


WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

Friday, March 28, 2008

CBC Radio Canada - Microwaves & EHS April 6 2008.

CBC Radio Canada is airing a 20 minute video documentary on Microwave Radiation and Electro-hyper-sensitivity

on April 6th at 6:30 pm (eastern time) on Decouverte, Radio-Canada. It will be available on their website: http://www.radio-canada.ca/tv/decouvert the following day. (
CBC radio Canada is the French service of the CBC and includes TV programming)

They start the first segment with cell phone antennas and health concerns, citing what is going on around the world and then moving to Richmond Hill, Ontario. They talk about the growing buildup of microwave exposure from DECT phones, microwave ovens, and WiFi and their known effects, such as cancer and microwave syndrome. The second part (after the commercials) deals with electro hypersensitivity with David Fancy and then they talk about lowering the exposure limits, citing what was done in other countries, and they finish with various perspectives including that of Dr. Magda Havas, Health Canada, and Bell Canada.


-------------------------------------------------
Here are some excellent videos to view in the meantime -

Why base stations are more dangerous than mobile phones

Hi All
There are three important items in this message. They will be specially interesting to people who suffer from electro hypersensitivity, but also of great interest to persons exposed to EMR on a regular basis (nearly the entire population). The information will help to demonstrate how electro magnetic radiation, harms people and living things.
Martin Weatherall
WEEP.
1. This link is to a very good article by Andrew Goldsworthy, BSc PhD.
http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/cellfeedback.php

It was written to explain to laymen (especially targeting electronics engineers) why the biological effects of cellphone radiation is likely to be largely independent of signal strength over a wide range. This then makes Wifi and cellphone base stations potentially more dangerous because of our chronic exposure to their radiation.
2.. Michael Bevington, Trustee of ES-UK has compiled the attached compendium entitled:
Attitudes to the Health Dangers of non-thermal EMFs.

Michael has kindly authorised widespread distribution of his document to help raise awareness of this widespread challenge to human health.
with kind regards
Sarah
3. This link is to ElectroSensitivity UK -
Their web site has been relocated to:
www.es-uk.info
They are currently rebuilding.
Kind regards
Sarah Dacre

WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

CTV Ottawa - Four Part News Series on Dangers of EMF

Could the technology we use everyday be hazardous to humans? Some say electromagnetic fields, radio frequencies; even electricity, can trigger health problems ranging from sleep disruptions to cancer.

Click on the graphic link below to view.

Once on the site, you must 'launch player' to view the videos

WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless Electrical and
Electromagnetic Pollution.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Mobiles (cell phones) may be death sentence

The Canberra Times
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/mobiles-may-be-death-sentence/1210628.html

Mobiles may be death sentence
By Danielle Cronin Health Reporter
Widespread, unchecked use of mobile telephones could potentially pose a greater threat to human health than asbestos or smoking, according to a Canberra neurosurgeon.

Vini Khurana held a 14-month investigation into the link between heavy, long-term use of mobile telephones and the development of malignant brain tumours, reviewing more than 100 international studies on the subject.

"There is currently enough evidence and technology available to warrant industry and governments alike in taking immediate steps to reduce exposure of consumers to mobile phone related electromagnetic radiation and to make consumers clearly aware of potential dangers and how to use this technology sensibly and safely," Dr Khurana said in 69-page paper published on-line.

"It is anticipated that this danger has far broader public health ramifications than asbestos and smoking and directly concerns all of us, particularly the younger generation, including very young children."

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association chief executive Chris Althaus said these findings were contrary to international studies that "overwhelmingly" showed mobile telephones caused no short or long-term health problems.

"There's been more research on this subject than most things and the World Health Organisation ... and countless national governments have all come together with that conclusion," he said. "Having said that the industry certainly looks at ongoing research as part of the responsible monitoring of technology."

Dr Khurana said mobile phones were convenient but their electromagnetic radiation was invisible.

"Therefore, any danger this exposure poses may be easily dismissed. Exposure is long term and its effects on the body particularly its electrical organ the brain are compounded by numerous other simultaneous long-term exposures including continuous waves from radio and TV transmitter towers, cordless phone base stations, power lines, and wireless ... computing devices."

"A malignant brain tumour represents a life-ending diagnosis in the vast majority of [cases]."

Dr Khurana said there was a "significant and increasing" body of evidence that linked mobile phone use and some brain tumours.

"The elevated risk increased odds appears to be in the order of two- to four-fold," he said.

More research was required to determine if brain tumours were actually caused by electromagnetic radiation from mobile telephones.

If this was the case, it could pose a bigger threat to human health than asbestos or smoking, because billions of people had mobile phones and more young people were using the technology. He strongly urged the public to take precautions.

If possible, children should only use mobile and cordless telephones in emergencies and everyone should choose a "landline".

He recommended that mobile telephones should be set to "speaker" mode and held more than 20cm away from the head.

"Electromagnetic radiation ... can heat the side of the head or pulse it non-thermally and potentially ... interact with its organic electrical content the brain," he said.

"Bluetooth devices and unshielded headsets can convert the user's head into an effective, potentially self-harming antenna."

Consumers should limit their use of these accessories.

"Malignant brain tumours may take several years to develop, and the incidence of malignant brain tumours is increasing," he said.

"Unless the industry and governments take immediate and decisive steps to openly acknowledge and intervene in this situation even while awaiting definitive confirmation by large and well-constructed multi-centre studies worldwide malignant brain tumour incidence and its associated death rate will be observed globally to rise within a decade from now.

"By which time it may be far too late to meaningfully intervene, especially for those who are currently children and young adults."

A copy of his paper is available at www.brain-surgery.us. http://www.brain-surgery.us/



WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bell won't answer call as residents slam tower to be built 'near kids'

http://www.theliberal.com/News/Richmond%20Hill/article/71859

Richmond Hill
Mar 25, 2008 06:30 AM

Effort to delay construction falls on deaf ears: mayor By: Caroline Grech Despite protests and threats to change service providers, construction is set to start on a Bell cellphone tower today at the corner of Bathurst Street and Elgin Mills Road.
The move comes amid protests from nearby residents who say placing a tower so close to a residential neighbourhood puts their health and safety at risk.
Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow sent notice to residents Friday and said despite appeals from the town, there’s nothing that can be done to stop the tower, which will go up on the southeast corner of the intersection.
Mr. Barrow asked Bell to delay construction until an alternate location could be found.
“We’ve tried. We’ve written the letters,” Mr. Barrow said, adding Bell feels they’ve done their due diligence.
Rhonda Pomerantz-Kula, a member of PACT of Richmond Hill (precautionary approach to cellular transmissions) said the company has not done enough.
“I don’t believe they need it. They haven’t shared what the other alternatives are,” Ms Pomerantz-Kula said. “We’re not going to just roll over and go away. Bell doesn’t care about setting up towers near kids.”
Part of the problem with the location is a nursery school close by, Ms Pomerantz-Kula said.
Critics of cell towers claim the electromagnetic fields produced are a health threat. However cellphone companies argue their towers give off electromagnetic fields that are within government safety guidelines.
The group of about 350 residents, is concerned about five proposed towers in Richmond Hill.
The Bell tower was approved by Richmond Hill council in April 2007. Ms Pomerantz-Kula admitted that approval made stopping the tower an uphill battle.
She said she and her group want to work with the town to find better places for towers.
Meanwhile, the company has been flooded with letters from angry residents threatening to quit using Bell.
“After all this controversy, I am very disappointed in your attitude and the way you completely dismiss us,” resident Luca Balestrieri wrote. “I will take my business and that of everyone I know to another company for disregarding the safety of children!”
Another resident, Gilda Rovan, blamed Ottawa for the problems.
“If there’s anybody to blame it’s the federal government. They have no business allowing Bell to come into this community. They should be protecting us, not big corporations,” Ms Rovan said.
While some residents have taken their business to other companies in protest, Bell isn’t the only company with a proposal to build a tower at that intersection.
Rogers is also planning a tower for the northeast corner.
In November a public consultation held at the Elgin West Community Centre drew hundreds of residents, all voicing opposition to any towers being built.
Councillors are expected to vote on the construction of the Rogers tower May 12.
However, it is Industry Canada that has the final say over whether or not a cellphone tower will be built.
“Municipalities need to have more responsibility than to just look at them (towers) as just buildings,” Ms Pomerantz-Kula said.

WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

The Bell Shareholders report from 2003

HEALTH CONCERNS ABOUT RADIO FREQUENCY EMISSIONS
Media reports have suggested that some radio frequency emissions from cell phones may be linked to medical conditions, such as cancer. In addition, some interest groups have requested investigations into claims that digital transmissions from handsets used with digital wireless technologies pose health concerns and cause interference with hearing aids and other medical devices.

The findings of these kinds of studies could lead to government regulation, which could have a material and negative effect on our business. Actual or perceived health risks of wireless communications devices could result in fewer new network subscribers, lower network usage per subscriber, higher churn rates, product liability lawsuits or less outside financing being available to the wireless communications industry. Any of these would have a negative effect on us and other wireless service providers."
David Livingstone


WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

The right for protection from cell phone radiation.

Subject: Precautionary Principle

Date: Fri 29 Jun 2001 12:56:36 -0300

From: "Michael P. Milburn"

I thought the list would be interested in yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada on pesticides. Pesticides like the microwaves from cell phone systems are potentially hazardous. As with microwaves there are uncertainties about the extent of the risk uncertainties that industry has used to reduce regulatory action at the federal level. Of course there are too many cases of federal politicians being influenced more by industry than the citizens that elect them. A Canadian town Hudson just outside of Montreal banned pesticides some 10 years ago. The industry challenged the law in court arguing that local communities can't enact laws more stringent than federal regulations. Sound familiar! The case made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Yesterday the court ruled that communities have the right to protect their citizens even against presumed hazards irrespective of federal regulations. And it specifically upheld the precautionary principle. That's a positive trend in favor of democracy and public health and rare on this continent. Certainly relevant to the city of Toronto's attempt to limit rf/microwave exposure.

Best

Mike Mike Milburn PhD
Author of Electromagnetic FIElds and Your Health

See court ruling: http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Hudson-Quebec-Bans-Pesticides.htm#sup



WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

Monday, March 24, 2008

C.A.P.E. and Electro Magnetic Radiation Pollution.

Hi WEEP e-mail recipients

I have just sent this letter (below) to the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. The medical community is a vital part of the fight to ensure safer levels of electro magnetic radiation. I would appreciate any assistance that you can provide, to help persuade CAPE to take the dangers of electro magnetic radiation seriously. Letters of support and providing CAPE with scientific evidence showing health dangers and environmental problems, could very well make a difference. Here is a method where you can possibly help yourself and help others by getting involved, I hope that you take the opportunity. Here is the CAPE e-mail address webmaster@cape.ca .

Thanks and happy Easter

Martin Weatherall

----- Original Message -----

From: Martin Weatherall

To: webmaster@cape.ca

Cc: David Fancy

Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 1:48 PM

Subject: Electro Magnetic Radiation Pollution

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

Dear CAPE:

I have just been searching your web site http://www.cape.ca/about.html and have found nothing about electro magnetic radiation (EMR) harming the environment. This is very strange because you claim to be an environmental organization, and EMR is one of the greatest threats to the environment. I have collected a great amount of scientific research and evidence to show that people are being severely harmed; animals are being harmed; birds, bats, bees and frogs are being harmed; and the entire environment is being endangered because of EMR pollution. I am aware of Canadian doctors who have developed electrical hypersensitivity and Canadian hospitals that are extremely polluted with high levels of EMR. These highly polluted hospitals are endangering the staff and the patients in those facilities.

Many doctors in other countries are aware of the threat to the environment by EMR. Doctors in Germany and Ireland have petitioned their governments to reduce the dangers from EMR because they have observed the its terrible effects on their patients. I am shocked that Canadian doctors have, to date, failed to recognize the extreme dangers to which Canadians are being subjected. Surely, Canadian physicians have seen the evidence of health harm caused by EMR in their hospitals and practices. Canadian physicians should be reading the relevant information and educating themselves about one of the most significant environmental threats ever. There are two particularly important web sites that will provide CAPE and the Canadian medical community with excellent scientific resources. These are

www.bioinitiative.org and

http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/main/index.php .

I notice from your Internet site that one of the CAPE objectives is to 'educate physicians on environmental issues'. It appears that CAPE is failing its mandate and is missing one of the most serious environmental issues facing Canadians (and the world). If you visit the Irish Doctors Environmental Association web site

http://www.ideaireland.org/emr.htm,

you would see that they are far more advanced in their knowledge of EMR dangers than CAPE. I and several other Canadians who have educated ourselves about the environmental and health dangers of EMR are all willing to share our information with CAPE, in order to make Canadians and the Canadian environment safer. Please contact me if you would like further information.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Weatherall

Director WEEP - Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution.

http://www.weepinitiative.org

contactweep@weepinitiative.org

Saturday, March 22, 2008

EMF-Omega-News 22. March 2008

Dear Sir, Madam, Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

for your information.

Have A Joyful Easter!
Klaus Rudolph
Citizens' Initiative Omega
http://www.next-up.org/Newsoftheworld/OmegaNews.php

http://www.next-up.org/Newsoftheworld/OmegaNews.php
http://www.mastsanity.org/index.php?option=com_
newsfeeds&task=view&feedid=1&Itemid=52
http://mast-victims.org/index.php?content=news&action
=view&type=newsitem&id=2569

Member of the Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society)
Protectorate Union of the Citizens and Initiatives for the Protection
against Electrosmog
http://www.buergerwelle.com <http://www.buergerwelle.de

Microwave dangers a hot topic
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4791370/

How Cellphone Radiation Affects Your Cells
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4794535/

Molecular changes take place during exposure to

information-carrying radio waves
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4804631/

Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation Health Problem Alert
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4791250/

Another sudden death from a likely heavy mobile phone user
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4796644/

Top 5 symptoms of EHS/ES
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4787976/

The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4802274/

The Autoimmune Epidemic: Bodies Gone Haywire in a

World Out of Balance
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4802639/

The Dangers of Eating Microwaved Food
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4802643/

Heart Disease Decimating Zoo Gorillas
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4794688/

Insects decreasing: electromagnetic radiation a prime suspect
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4794337/

Bad Reception: The Wireless Revolution in San Francisco
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4797060/

New row as mobile masts net €100m for State
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4791252/

Environment Canada scientists told to toe the line
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4791404/

'Terrifying' anntennas receive the go-ahead
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4798509/

Check on masts is ordered
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4798634/

Determined residents in Birkdale's Bedford Road blockade

mobile phone mast installation
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4798657/

Villagers in mobile mast protest
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4799220/

Club mast sparks fury at Colgrain
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4801411/

Sebastopol CA terminates contract for free city wide Wi-Fi
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4801446/

Approved Telecommunications Tower and Antenna Protocol
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4802916/

Mast may move on
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4802970/

Kashmiri Students to start campaign against mobile

towers in Kashmir
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4803244/

Have your say on hospital mast
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804647/

Dialogue on Electromagnetic Fields and Health
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804735/

Is Media Afraid of Alzheimers?
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804293/

Just listening to phone calls may impair driving
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804759/

Shining a Light on Fluorescent Bulbs
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804795/

Dossier Groupe Scolaire Albert Camus
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4797188/

La fin du négationnisme par la réalité des

enquêtes sanitaires et des clusters
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4804657/

Next-up news N°509
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4788859/

Next-up news N°510
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4792184/

Next-up news N°512
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4799308/

Next-up news N°513
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/4802423/

News from Mast Sanity
http://tinyurl.com/aotw3

Omega-News Collection 22. March 2008
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/4804897/

Our links:

http://tinyurl.com/93epp
http://tinyurl.com/9w2sx <http://www.grn.es/electropolucio/00omega.htm
http://tinyurl.com/aotw3
http://tinyurl.com/oya9t
http://tinyurl.com/jyemw
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EMR-EMF/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emf-omega-news/

________________________________________________________________________
Note: EMF-Omega News belongs to the Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated
society), Umbrella Organization of the Citizens and Initiatives for the
Protection against Electrosmog.
Editor and responsible for the content: Citizens' Initiative Omega, member
in the Buergerwelle. Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society), which
works on non-profit base. Our messages are the result of many hours of
daily research, roundup and editing. If you would like to support our
activity for people around the world with a donation or an aid fund unique
or on regular base, you can do it: Recipient: Buergerwelle Germany
(incorporated society), bank-connection: Hypo Bank Augsburg, account-No
2250284, BLZ 720 200 70, IBAN: DE83 7202 0070 0002 2502 84, SWIFT (BIC):
HYVEDEMM408.
Buergerwelle Germany (incorporated society), Umbrella Organization of the
Citizens and Initiatives for the Protection against Electrosmog: 1.
Chairman Siegfried Zwerenz, 2. Chairman Barbara Eidling, Mailing address:
Lindenweg 10, D-95643 Tirschenreuth, phone 0049-(0)9631-795736, fax
0049-(0)9631-795734, e-mail pr@buergerwelle.de, Internet
http://www.buergerwelle.de . Thank you.

If you have information which you would like to share with your friends
and colleges around the world and which are from common interest, please
send us this information, we will send them out.

Disclaimer:

The information in our EMF-Omega-News are derived from sources, which we
believe to be accurate but this cannot be guaranteed.

We are not responsible for any errors or omissions and disclaims any
liability incurred as a consequence of any of the contents of this
resources.


The material in this post is distributed without profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for
research and educational purposes. For more information go to:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
http://oregon.uoregon.edu/%7Ecsundt/documents.htm
http://oregon.uoregon.edu/~csundt/documents.htm
http://oregon.uoregon.edu/%7Ecsundt/documents.htm

If you wish to use copyrighted material from this email for purposes that
go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

If you need to have translated our message in your language please go to:
http://www.freetranslation.com/ . This is a free translation service.








Friday, March 21, 2008

EMF Educational Opportunities.

Hi All
There are four educational notices on this page, which relate to electro magnetic radiation and its effects on health. I encourage you to take part in any or all. The first notice is about an open dialogue on electro magnetic fields and health which is being held at Brock University on April 9th.
The main administrative building at Brock University is a tall office building which is also the highest location in the city. On the top of this building, are many antennas providing cell phone service and other broadcasting services. The electro magnetic radiation on the campus is extremely high and there are several staff members with severe illnesses which may be caused by the high radiation levels. Some students have also reported unusual illnesses when attending the university.
Martin
WEEP
The Canadian Initiative to stop
Wireless, Electric, and
Electromagnetic Pollution
www.weepinitiative.org

April 9th 2008
Dialogue on Electromagnetic Fields and Health

Dr. Magda Havas and Dr. Tony Muc

1:10 to 2:40 in Room - Pond Inlet, Brock University, St Catherine's, Ontario


Electromagnetic Fields and how they affect humans and other organisms is addressed from two different perspectives. Dr. Greg Finn will moderate this town hall meeting - two 15 minute presentations followed by a Q&A session.

Dr. Magda Havas:

We have been using electromagnetic energy in the form of electricity since the invention of the light bulb, but our growing reliance on electronic devices and wireless technology has increased our exposure to a broad range of electromagnetic frequencies especially during the past three decades. A growing scientific body of research documents biological effects and adverse health effects at levels well below the current Canadian guidelines for both power line frequency (60 Hz) magnetic fields and radio frequency radiation (kHz to GHz range).
However, neither Health Canada nor Industry Canada have recognized the
need to reduce existing guidelines to reflect the scientific evidence.
Studies show increased risk of various types of cancers with exposure to both magnetic field (60 Hz) and radio frequency radiation;
miscarriages;
increased calcium flux;
increased permeability of the
blood brain barrier;
DNA breaks;
changes in melatonin levels;

increased production of stress protein;
increased plasma glucose among
diabetics;
and symptoms of electrohypersensitivity (EHS).
Those who
suffer from EHS have difficulty when they are exposed to electromagnetic energy associated with computers, mobile phones, wireless routers/computers/antennas and certain types of energy efficient lighting. Their symptoms include any combination of the following: chronic fatigue, chronic pain, sleep disorders, skin disorders, neurological disorders, tinnitus, eye problems and/or digestive problems. With approximately 3% of the population severely affected and another 35% moderately affected by this energy, we have a serious environmental/health crisis emerging.

Dr. Tony Muc:

Electromagnetic energy has been an integral part of nature since the instant of creation of the universe as we know it. Indeed it may well be that the discharge of electric fields in the atmosphere and ultraviolet radiation from the sun were instrumental in the creation of life itself. At the present time humankind's knowledge of and experience with electromagnetic energy spans a range of 22 orders of magnitude. That range is only exceeded by those associated with space and time. Humans have built-in detectors of electromagnetic energy. The most important such detectors are our eyes (our skin is another). But our eyes only work over one third of an order of magnitude. That's only a tiny window on the whole spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and the fields associated with the generation, distribution and use of electromagnetic energy in all its forms.

Recent centuries, say since Newton's time, have seen a gradual growth in scientific knowledge related to electric and magnetic fields, how they are related to each other in the form of electromagnetic fields and how all three are related to humans and other organisms. Recent decades, say since Einstein's time, have seen an explosion in applications that exploit various properties and features of
electromagnetism to benefit modern society in innumerable ways in medicine, in communications, in industry, in commerce and, sadly, in war (yes, waging war effectively is a benefit to a ?hawk?). And, as with all aspects of human endeavour, along with benefits have come costs. What are the benefits and to whom do they accrue? What are the costs and who pays them? The ?eternal? elements of the debates that rage over occupational and environmental health and safety issues everywhere be the agents physical, chemical or biological. And, unfortunately, the debates rage between polarized groups: union vs management, environmentalist vs industrialist, liberal vs conservative, ?conventional? medicine vs chiropractic or homeopathic or ?traditional? medicine and so on. As a consequence, in these primal societal and often personal power struggles, it is all too often the case that the baby - science - gets thrown out with the bath water.
One must wonder what form of logic is operating when the foundations of society's present achievements are dismissed or ignored by those who claim a crisis? is emerging.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item #2
Information about the forthcoming certificate-granting EMF workshop in Vancouver next month, is attached.
Please be advised that we have also set the date for the next Toronto EMF workshop.(attached)

There is a significant discount for early-bird registration of $100. Registration can be made toll-free at: (888) 639-7730.

Dr. Andrew Michrowski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item #3

Here is some information for you about courses/seminars.

General Website:

http://www.buildingbiology.net/

Most recent seminar and courses:

http://www.buildingbiology.net/20bubico.html

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item#4
Subject: conference on EM sensitivity

There will be a meeting to discuss electromagnetic sensitivity on March 30th 2008 between 1:00 and 2:30 pm. The speaker is Stéphane Belainsky. Location - TEVA, 5143 Décarie Blvd, Montréal, Quebec.
Daniel