Policy News
By admin
Speaking with American epidemiologist Devra Davis might be hazardous to your health — at least if you’re using a cellphone.
Using the speaker mode on her phone, Davis pointed out that the fine print in manufacturers’ warnings that come with cellphones say to keep them up to an inch away from your body.
Not many people heed the warnings. That’s why she’s calling on all parties to support a private member’s bill that would warn Ontarians of potential danger of microwave radiation.
Original Link: http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/895063–scientist-backs-bill-warning-of-dangers-of-cellphone-radiation
Filed in: Canada
By admin
The latest Emerging Risks Report considers recent research into whether exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones can cause health problems and the impact this could have on the insurance industry.
Full report: http://www.lloyds.com/The-Market/Tools-and-Resources/Research/Exposure-Management/Emerging-risks/Emerging-Risk-Reports/Health/EMF
Filed in: UK
By admin
Summary:
The Board of Health and Toronto City Council recently endorsed a Prudent Avoidance Policy that will help ensure that public exposure to radiofrequencies (RFs) from cell phone towers is 100 times below the current Health Canada exposure standard known as Safety Code 6. This policy does not address public exposure to RFs from the use of telecommunication devices such as cell phones. RF exposure from using a cell phone can be considerably higher than environmental exposure to RFs from local cell phone towers or antennas. Cell phone use has risen consistently in the last decade in Canada. In particular, the number of children who use cell phones has increased greatly. This report responds to the Board of Health’s request for further information on the use of cell phones by children and youth and their consequent exposure to RF energy.
The 2007 Toronto Public Health (TPH) report titled “Update and Review of Research on Radiofrequencies: Implications for a Prudent Avoidance Policy in Toronto” summarized research about RF exposure and potential health impacts in people. Considerable research has been done to explore the health impacts from cell phone use in adults. There are gaps in knowledge however, regarding exposure and health impacts in children. The research that is available suggests that children are likely more vulnerable than adults.
Many international reports and scientific experts in the field view the limitations and uncertainty of current research as warranting precautionary recommendations around children’s use of cell phones. There are currently no specific Canadian recommendations with regard to cell phone use by children. Some jurisdictions in Europe recommend that children decrease their exposure to RF by strictly limiting their use of cellular phones and some have strongly recommended that use be avoided completely. TPH has broadened its precautionary messages and advice on cell phone use. The focus is on messages for
parents and teens to limit use of cell phones by children where possible.
The Board of Health and Toronto City Council recently endorsed a Prudent AvoidancePolicy that will help ensure that public exposure to radiofrequencies (RFs) from cellphone towers is 100 times below the current Health Canada exposure standard known asSafety Code 6. This policy does not address public exposure to RFs from the use oftelecommunication devices such as cell phones. RF exposure from using a cell phonecan be considerably higher than environmental exposure to RFs from local cell phonetowers or antennas. Cell phone use has risen consistently in the last decade in Canada.In particular, the number of children who use cell phones has increased greatly. Thisreport responds to the Board of Health’s request for further information on the use of cellphones by children and youth and their consequent exposure to RF energy.
The 2007 Toronto Public Health (TPH) report titled “Update and Review of Research onRadiofrequencies: Implications for a Prudent Avoidance Policy in Toronto” summarizedresearch about RF exposure and potential health impacts in people. Considerableresearch has been done to explore the health impacts from cell phone use in adults. Thereare gaps in knowledge however, regarding exposure and health impacts in children. Theresearch that is available suggests that children are likely more vulnerable than adults.
Many international reports and scientific experts in the field view the limitations anduncertainty of current research as warranting precautionary recommendations aroundchildren’s use of cell phones. There are currently no specific Canadian recommendationswith regard to cell phone use by children. Some jurisdictions in Europe recommend thatchildren decrease their exposure to RF by strictly limiting their use of cellular phones andsome have strongly recommended that use be avoided completely. TPH has broadenedits precautionary messages and advice on cell phone use. The focus is on messages forparents and teens to limit use of cell phones by children where possible.
Full Report: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/boh_children_safecellphone.pdf
Filed in: Canada
By admin
Executive Summary:
This report is an update to a 1999 Toronto Public Health (TPH) review summarizingresearch on exposure and health effects from radiofrequency (RF) emissions. The recentliterature on RFs leads TPH to conclude that many of the uncertainties in the scienceidentified in the 1999 review remain. Despite limitations in the body of research to date,the possibility of harmful health effects from RF exposures cannot be ruled out.
Current safety standards for RF exposure are based on avoiding tissue damage fromheating effects. The standards do not account for the effects that may occur at exposurelevels that do not involve tissue heating. The public and some scientists have concernsabout the potential for cumulative, whole-body exposure to RFs from their widespreaduse and presence in the environment.
There is agreement that biological (i.e. non-thermal) effects from radiofrequencies areevident from research with animals, cell cultures and in humans. Continued research intothese effects, including potential mechanisms of action and the significance of theseeffects for long-term human health, is warranted.
A great deal of the new research on human health effects from RFs has come fromstudying those who use cell phones. Some recent studies suggest that low-level, long-term exposure to RFs may be linked to leukemia and certain brain cancers, among long-term cell phone users. Studies of the impacts on children from cell phone RFs, whilelimited in number, do not rule out the possibility that children require greater protectionfrom RF exposure.
Research in populations near cell phone base stations in Europe indicates that somepeople living within about 300 metres of a base station are more likely to experiencesymptoms, such as headache, memory changes, dizziness, tremors, depression and sleepdisturbance, that are similar to a condition known as “microwave sickness”. Such studiesare limited and have not yet been conducted in North America. Some scientists concludethere is need to ensure that RFs are kept as low as possible to protect people living closeto cell phone towers.
It is commonly agreed that the cellular and wireless technologies relying on RFs have notbeen in use long enough to adequately assess the potential for all long-term health effects.
The expanding network of cell phone towers, antennas and wireless communicationtechnologies and installations in Toronto, together with the increasing use of theassociated devices by the public, likely translate to increasing rather than decreasingexposure of the public over time. Current data on RF levels measured in Toronto indicatethat with few exceptions, levels of RFs are typically many times below the HealthCanada exposure guidelines.
Despite diverse views on whether exposure limits are adequately health protective, anumber of jurisdictions have moved to adopt more stringent exposure standards. ThePrudent Avoidance Policy previously endorsed by the Board of Health in 1999 requeststhat applicants who wish to install new antennas or modified antennas demonstrate thatradio frequency (RF) exposures in areas where people normally spend time, (that is, workplaces, residences or areas where the public has unrestricted access) will be at least100 times below those currently recommended by Health Canada’s limits for publicexposure, known as Safety Code 6.
The approach of the TPH Prudent Avoidance Policy has been applied successfullyalready to cell tower and wireless antenna sitings and has not placed undue burden onstaff time or on the industry’s ability to comply.
Health Canada has not revised its guidelines to address the concerns raised in 1999. Thisreview indicates that, in the face of uncertain risks, prudent avoidance is still the bestapproach to minimize public exposure from the new and increasing number of RFsources in Toronto. The Medical Officer of Health recommends that the City continuewith a prudent avoidance approach in siting new telecommunication towers and antennasin the City. Initial consultations can be used to collect data from cell phone carriers onpredicted RF levels of proposed towers and antennas. This will allow the City to monitorthe potential impact of proposed telecommunications facilities in Toronto and toencourage voluntary adoption of the Prudent Avoidance Policy.
Full Report: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/technical_report.pdf
Filed in: Canada
By admin
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A work on creation of legal base, forbidding use of mobile phones by children, is carried out in Uzbekistan. This was announced at the meeting titled “Mobile phones: progress and threats”, which was held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED).
Sanitary doctor of National Center of State Epidemiologic Supervision Abdurauf Kasumov said: “Doctors already proved that electromagnetic waves, generated by mobile phones, jeopardize health of children and teenagers. Long and frequent communication with mobile phones weakens children organism, causes dysfunction of brain blood circulation, disturbance of nervous system. Parents should regularly control their children and take their health.”
Some governments adopted laws, banning use of mobile phones by children, based on such medical conclusions, UzA reported.
The meeting noted that mobile communication in developing dynamically in Uzbekistan, but there are also negative factors of mobile phones’ use. It was said that mobile phones are used to propaganda violence and cruelty, which negatively affect mentality and inner world of teenagers. It was added that some parents show neglect and indifference to this issue.
Original link: http://www.uzdaily.com/ru/articles-id-12153.htm
Filed in: Uzbekistan
By admin
USA | Australia | France | Israel | Wales| Burlingame, CA | Arcata, CA | San Francisco, CA | Jackson Hole, WY | Maine | Oregon | India | Switzerland | Canada | Tasmania
TIME | Cell Phone Safety: What the FCC Didn’t Test | October 26, 2010
San Francisco Chronicle | Keep That Cell Phone Out of Your Bra | October 23, 2010
The Portland Press Herald | Town Asks for Smart Meters to Be Delayed | October 22, 2010
OMB Watch | Concerns over Industry Influence Mount in Cell Phone Right to Know Fight | September 28, 2010
JET Law Blog | FCC Dials Back Consumer Guidance on Cell Phone Radiation | October 6, 2010
The Washington Post | FCC Changes Cell Phone Safety Guidance | September 30, 2010
Environmental Working Group | EWG Seeks FCC – Cell Phone Industry Communications | September 13, 2010
Internet Evolution | Risk Mitigation for Mobile Phones | August 31, 2010
J Weekly | Cancer calling?: East Bay couple on a mission to warn of cell phone risks | August 5, 2010
Yale Environment 360 | Are Cell Phones Safe? It’s Too Early to Tell | August 2, 2010
House of Representatives | Congressman Kucinich Introduces Cell Phone Research, Warning Label Bill | PDF | June 30, 2010
Electromagnetic Health | National legislation to research health impacts of cell phones and to label cell phones with warnings announced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) | June 30, 2010
Jackson Hole Daily | Dr. Devra Davis, expert on cancer testifies before senate | September 18, 2009
Researchers seek funds to study cell phone safety | September 2, 2009
SFGate | Portland, Arcata look at cell-phone radiation | August 5, 2010
Bloomberg | San Francisco Phone-Radiation Law Sparks Proposals in California, Oregon | August 5, 2010
Times-Standard | Radiation notification… proposal moved forward in Arcata | July 22, 2010
Cell Phones May Be Harmful to Your Health | July 22, 2010
Dr. Richard A. Stein’s letter to the Burlingame Council | PDF | September 26, 2010
Burlingame City Council Meeting | Scroll to 31:32 to start in the cell phone part of the video | Link to Video | September 21, 2010
Mercury News | Burlingame hears arguments on landmark cell phone ordinance | September 22, 2010
Electromagnetic Health | Cell Phone ‘Right-To-Know’ Discussion Moves from SF to Burlingame | September 20, 2010
Bay Citizen | Burlingame Bill Echoes SF Cell Phone Radiation Law | September 20, 2010
SFGate | S.F. cell phone law rings in Burlingame | July 27, 2010
San Francisco board passes cell phone emission law | June 22, 2010
SF’s cell phone radiation rules prompt cell phone convention exit | June 23, 2010
CTIA shuns San Francisco for trade show | June 23, 2010
ABC | Wireless industry holds conference in SF | October 5, 2010
CNet | Cell phone radiation detection app comes to Android | September 27, 2010
EWG | EWG Seeks FCC – Cell Phone Industry Communications | Full Letter | September 13, 2010
IEEE Spectrum: Tech Talk | I’m Buying My Next Cell Phone in San Francisco | June 23, 2010
Small Business Commission | RE: File No. 100104 [Cell Phones; Retailers' Duty to Disclose Radiation Levels.] | PDF | June 3, 2010
Small Business Commission | RE: File No. 100104 [Cell Phones; Retailers' Duty to Disclose Radiation Levels.] | PDF | April 14, 2010
ABC | East Bay couple on cell phone radiation crusade | July 28, 2010
Photo | EHT’s Ellie Marks, husband Alan and daughter Mandy meet with San Francisco Mayor Newsome | July 28, 2010
CNBC | Senator Mark Leno DEFENDS California Right-To-Know about cell phone radiation | Video | July 28, 2010
Ars Technica | The (court) case against San Francisco’s cell phone radiation law | July 26, 2010
Government Technology | California Cities Eye San Francisco Cell Phone Radiation Disclosure Law | July 14, 2010
LA Times: Business | Wireless industry group sues San Francisco over new cellphone radiation law | July 23, 2010
Business Tech News | A Health Warning for the Wireless Age | July 13, 2010
Maximum PC | Mobile Battlefield: CTIA vs. SF, the Showdown over SAR | July 13, 2010
Chicago Tribune | Smart phone booklet dials up health risks | July 13, 2010
San Francisco Becomes Ground Zero in Gadget Radiation Battle | July 13, 2010
EHT’s Ellie Marks’ experience on cell phones and the brain | See video | July 7, 2010
Bloomberg | Buy a Mobile Phone in San Francisco, Get a Label on Cancer Risk | July 8, 2010
Bloomberg Businessweek | A Health Warning for a Wireless Age | July 8, 2010
The Washington Post | Cell Phone industry attacks San Francisco measure on radiation | July 3, 2010
SF Examiner | Burlingame dials into new SF law | July 1, 2010
Huffington Post | Cell Phone Industry Lobby Threatens City of San Francisco | June 30, 2010
NYTimes | Are Cells the New Cigarettes? | June 25, 2010
The Oakland Tribune | Burlingame mulls cell-phone radiation law | June 24, 2010
SF Chronicle calls for national cell phone legislation | read the editorial | June 18, 2010
ABC | Cell phone warning to become San Francisco law | Dr. Oz provides tips | June 17, 2010
SFGate | Supes back posting of cell phone emission levels | June 16, 2010
NYTimes | San Francisco Passes Cellphone Radiation Law | June 15, 2010
San Francisco passes cell phone public education law | June 15, 2010
USAToday | San Francisco passes pioneering cellphone radiation law | June 16, 2010
CNN | San Francisco to warn consumers about cell radiation levels | June, 2010
Citizens for Health | San Francisco 1st City to Require Warning of Cell Phone Radiation Risk at Point of Sale | June 15, 2010
As proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, the bill requires retailers to post information and provide educational materials about ways to lower exposures to cell phone radiation. EHT Board Member and distinguished attorney, Harry V. Lehmann, issued this letter to all of the supervisors and staff in support of the proposal. | View letter | June 11, 2010
SFGate | New cell phone rules on hold | June 8, 2010
Public News Service | Cell Phone Warning Labels? | June 8, 2010
Report by Senator Mark Leno | June 2, 2010
Retailers’ Duty to Disclose Specific Absorption Rate Values for Cell Phones | May 24, 2010
Proposal of Mayor Newsom for cell phone radiation labeling | May 24, 2010
SFExaminer | Consumers to get wise on cell phone radiation | May 24, 2010
SFGate | Radiation-level labeling on cell phones clears hurdle | May 24, 2010
SFGate | Open Forum: Mad as cell | May 14, 2010
EHT | Cell Phone Safety Resolution Will Go to San Francisco Board of Supervisors | February 5, 2010
Youth Use Media and Social Networking 7+ Hours a Day…What’s Being Absorbed? | January 22, 2010
NYTimes | S.F. May Require Warnings about Cell Phone Radiation | December 23, 2009
KTVU | City Environmental Group Considers Cell Phone Health Regulation
top of page
Jackson Hole Weekly | The Buzz: Dial any number for tumor | July 28, 2010
Mayor Mark Barron and Town Council of Jackson declare — Cell Phone Awareness Month of October | May 24, 2010
The Proclamation | PDF | May 24, 2010
Rep. Boland Urges Legislatures to Require Warning Labels on Cell Phones | March 2, 2010
New York Times | Maine to Consider Warnings on Cell Phones | January 1, 2010
The Associated Press | Maine to consider cell phone cancer warning | December 21, 2001
New York Daily News | Maine politician pushes for cell phone warning that cellular use could pose risk for cancer | December 21, 2009
CNBC | Main to consider cell phone warning | December 20, 2009
Bloomberg Businessweek | Maine Bill to Mandate Cell-Phone Warning Label | October 16, 2009
EMR & Health | Phone Tower Safety | 2010 | Visit website to subscribe!
Herald Sun | Mobiles ‘too dangerous’ for children | June 18, 2010
Parliament | Cell Phone Safety Act 2010 (PDF 52KB) | October 11, 2010
Healthzone | Cell Phones Need Radiation Warning Labels, Says MPP | November 3, 2010
Banning of Cell Phone Advertising Campaigns to Children
La Grenelle Environnement
Hindustan Times | Citizens Learn About Mobile Phone Safety | October 11, 2010
Globes: Israel’s Business Arena | Cordless no safer than cell phones | July 21, 2010
Israel Ministry of Health | November 8, 2008
Cellular-News | Israel Publishes Cellphone Usage Guidelines | July 30, 2008
Telegraph | Children told to ‘text not call’ | July 15, 2010
BBC News | Children urged to ‘text not call’ by medical chief | July 14, 2010
Welsh Assembly Government | Mobile Phones and Your Health: Guidance For Primary School Pupils | PDF | 2009
Welsh Assembly Government | Guidance for Secondary School Pupils | PDF | 2009
Magda Havas | Free Internet in Swiss Schools – No WiFi | October 21, 2010
The Mercury | Phone safety a no-brainer | October 20, 2010
top of page
Filed in: Archive 2009-2010
« Previous Page
