The journal Pathophysiology has published articles about public health concerns and scientific evidence
for risks from cell phones and other wireless or mobile devices.
Research professor and Editor Martin
Blank, PhD (Associate Professor, Columbia University College of Physicians
and Surgeons) says this issue of Pathophysiology is about the
human body’s sensitivity to EMF signals in the environment. Articles detail how EMF affects DNA, effects on the brain from cell phone radiation, and how
EMFs in the environment may lead to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and
breast cancer. Research shows that EMF can cause brain tumors, reduce immune systems, and harm wildlife.
“The scientific evidence tells us that our safety standards
are inadequate, and that we must protect ourselves from exposure to EMF due
to power lines, cell phones and the like,” said Blank.
Prolonged exposure to radiofrequency and microwave radiation from cell
phones, cordless phones, cell towers, WI-FI and other wireless
technologies has been linked to interference with short-term memory and
concentration, sleep disruption, headache and dizziness, fatigue,
immune disruption, skin rashes and changes in cardiac function.
However, “These effects can happen with even very small levels of
exposure if they occur on a daily basis. Cell phone use is likely to be
more harmful in children whose brain and nervous system development can
last into late adolescence,” says Cindy Sage of Sage Associates, “The
public health implications of billions of people who are exposed makes
this a matter of critical concern to policy-makers around the world.”
International researchers have urged quick precautionary action to address a possible epidemic of brain tumors and many other
health risks (www.bioinitiative.org/report/docs/section17.pdf).
Over four
billion people around the world now use cell phones. They are rapidly
eliminating the use of traditional land-line phones throughout the world.
Health researchers from six countries give findings in fifteen (15)
chapters covering health risks to humans and wildlife from electromagnetic
fields and radiofrequency radiation. A summary of findings and quotes
from authors are available at www.bioinitiative.org/pressrelease/index.htm
Wildlife biologist Alfonso Balmoro, PhD of Valladolid, Spain, reports that,
“Electromagnetic radiation is a form of environmental pollution which may
hurt wildlife. Phone masts located in their living areas are irradiating
continuously some species that could suffer long-term effects, like
reduction of their natural defenses, deterioration of their health,
problems in reproduction and reduction of their useful territory through
habitat deterioration.
Reba Goodman, PhD (Columbia University) reports that, “Cells in the
body react to EMFs as potentially harmful, just like to other
environmental toxins including heavy metals and toxic chemicals. The
DNA in living cells recognizes electromagnetic fields at very low
levels of exposure, and produces a biochemical stress response.”
David O. Carpenter, MD and Director of the University of Albany,
Institute of Health and the Environment concludes, “The existing FCC
and international limits do not do enough to protect people, especially
children, from daily exposures to electromagnetic fields and
radiofrequency radiation. The existing safety limits did not anticipate
these new kinds of technologies affecting the health of people living
with and using wireless devices on a daily basis. These effects are now
widely reported to occur at exposure levels significantly below most
current national and international limits.”
Brain tumor specialist Dr. Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD works as both an
oncologist and a researcher at Orebro University Hospital in Sweden. He
is an expert on cell phones and brain tumors. “The evidence for risks
from prolonged cell phone and cordless phone use is quite strong. For
people who have used these devices for 10 years or longer, and when
they are used mainly on one side of the head, the risk of malignant
brain tumor is doubled for adults and is even higher for persons with
first use before the age of 20 years.”