Month: September 2009

The following is a compilation of what government, public health and environment organizations and officials, independent scientists, health advocacy groups and activists are advocating around the world in response to the proliferation of electromagnetic fields, and especially 2.4 GHZ microwave radiation.

International Resolutions Advocating a Precautionary Approach to the Use and Expansion of Wireless Technologies:

Vienna resolution 1998 http://www.icems.eu/docs/resolutions/Vienna_Resolution_1998.pdf

Salzburg Austria Resolution 2000:http://www.salzburg.gv.at/salzburg_resolution_e.pdf

Catania Italy 2002 http://www.emrpolicy.org/faq/catania.pdf

Benevento Italy Resolution 2006 http://www.icems.eu/benevento_resolution.htm

London Resolution 2007: http://www.icems.eu/docs/resolutions/London_res.pdf

Venice Italy Resolution 2008 http://www.icems.eu/resolution.htm

Porto Alegre Resolution 2009: http://www.icems.eu/docs/resolutions/Porto_Alegre_Resolution.pdf

Wingspread Conference on the Precautionary principle: http://www.sehn.org/wing.html

Wi-Fi

European Environmental Agency advises the precautionary principle for wi-fi: http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/radiation-risk-from-everyday-devices-assessed

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/eu-watchdog-calls-for-urgent-action-on-wifi-radiation-402539.html

German Government advises against wi-fi: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/germany-warns-citizens-to-avoid-using-wifi-401845.html

http://www.icems.eu/docs/deutscher_bundestag.pdf

France National Library and several other Paris libraries are wi-fi-free http://www.next-up.org/pdf/FranceNationalLibraryGivesUpWiFi07042008.pdf

http://lavieverte.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/public-libraries-in-paris-shut-down-wifi-in-response-to-health-worries/

(USA) Progressive Librarians Guild recommends the precautionary principle for wireless exposures in libraries. June 2008. http://progressivelibrariansguild.org/content/wifiresolution.shtml

UK: The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) with 160,000 members has called for a government investigation into the biological and thermal effects of “wi-fi” networks. http://news.scotsman.com/education/39Wifi-in-schools-may-give.5156371.jp

France: Paris City Council launched a study on wi-fi June 2008 (in french) http://www.lemonde.fr/technologies/article/2008/06/16/wi-fi-le-conseil-de-paris-lance-une-etude-sur-les-risques-sanitaires_1058950_651865.html#ens_id=1053227

Penang Malaysia to study health effects of Wi-Fi. October 2008http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/5250937/

England: Health Protection Agency launches study on health effects of wi-fi Oct 2007: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/oct/13/internet.internetphonesbroadband

Austria medical association pressing for a ban on wi-fi in schools http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549944/Warning-on-wi-fi-health-risk-to-children.htm

Herouville St Claire Normandy removes Wi-Fi from schoolshttp://freepage.twoday.net/stories/5670096/

USA: Sebastopol CA. City Council chooses the precautionary principle and terminates contract for free city wide Wi-Fi: http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080324/NEWS/803240314/1033/NEWS

Canada: July 2008 City Council of Thorold rescinds city wide wi-fi contract: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1097589

European Parliament Sept 2008 voted 522 to 16 to adopt text: “is greatly concerned at the Bio-Initiative international report concerning EMFs, which summarises over 1500 studies on that topic and which points in its conclusions to the health risks posed by emissions from mobile-telephony devices such as mobile telephones, UMTS, WiFi, WiMax and Bluetooth, and also DECT landline ” “”The limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMFs] which have been set for the general public are obsolete.” http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/122208.php

England: Teachers union call to suspend WiFi in schools: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1039235/Suspend-wi-fi-schools-says-union-chief-following-reports-causes-ill-health.html

Ireland: Jan 2008 The City of Dublin Ireland did not install wi-fi due to a EU law: http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0109/wifi.html

Wi-fi code for Welch Schools http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/child-safety-fears-prompt-wifi-code-for-welsh-schools-403255.html

Bavarian federal state parliament advised schools against Wi-fi. (current link unavailable) Frankfurt, Germany: Bans Wi-Fi in public schools (in German) http://www.icems.eu/docs/deutscher_bundestag.pdf

Hospital Techies urge limits on ‘white space’ Wi-Fi.http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9930441-7.html

Spain: Ecologists in Action statement on WiFi: http://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/spip.php?article11598

http://www.es-uk.info/news/20080319_belmonte_en.pdf

Dr. Magda Havas open letter to schools and teachers on Wi-Fi health risks: http://www.magdahavas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/09_Havas_WiFi_schools.pdf

Austrian health director Dr. Gerd Oberfeld advising against wi-fi  http://www.antennafreeunion.org/salzburg.pdf

Sweden Prof. Olle Johansson scientisit wi-fi letter: http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/pdfs/20070723_wifi_olle.pdf

Dr. George Carlo wi-fi videohttp://www.mcs-international.org/red_alert_1_wifi_schoolchildren.html

Green party MEP/ concern with wi-fi in schools: http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2007/10/12/green-meps-demand-investigation-into-wifi-in-schools-after-study-links-electro-magnetic-fields-and-cancers/

(USA) Dr. Mercola wireless warning: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/06/21/are-you-allergic-to-wireless-internet.aspx?source=nl

(Canada) Dr. Magda Havas Report opposing Wi-Fi in San Francisco:  http://www.magdahavas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/07_Havas_WiFi-SNAFU.pdf

The Gathering Brainstorm: http://www.mast-victims.org/resources/docs/ecologist_wi-fi_article.pdf

Dr. Jeff Fawcett: WiFi Blues: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-WiFi-Blues&id=169261

Wi-Fi in Schools UK resource  http://www.wifiinschools.org.uk/resources/wireless+technologies+and+young+people+Jan2011.pdf

“Wireless Networks (Wi-Fi) Consumer Health and Safety Advice” EMFacts handout  http://www.emfacts.com/wifi/

Dr. Andrew Goldsworthy on wi-fi in schools: http://www.emfacts.com/2011/11/dr-andrew-goldsworthy-on-wi-fi-in-schools/

Other EMF and RF Actions and Concerns

Bioinitiative Report:  http://www.bioinitiative.org

Bioinitiative Report video with co-author Cindy Sage http://www.youtube.com/v/7tZDor-_co0

Lichtenstein adopts Bioinitiative RF safety standard .6 volts per meter: http://www.next-up.org/pdf/Liechtenstein_confirms_its_intention_to_adopt_BioInitiative_standard_06Vm_09_06_2009.pdf

Brussels determines new EMR safety standard of 3 volts per meterhttp://www.next-up.org/Newsoftheworld/Belgique.php#2

2009: The European Parliament passed the EMF Resolution calling for caution on the use and expansion of electromagnetic fields, particularly radiofrequency exposure from wireless technologies. The resolution was endorsed by an overwhelming margin of 559 members in favor, 22 opposed, and 8 abstaining. The EP calls on member states to follow the example of Sweden to recognize ES as a disability and grant adequate protection as well as equal opportunities. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2009-0216+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN

French Health and Security Agency (Afsset) recommend reducing exposure to mobile phones and other portable wireless devices. OCT 2009 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/limit-exposure-to-mobile-phones-french-health-authority-1803449.html

2009:Breast Cancer Fund: Policy and Research Recommendations: Reduce Exposure to Radiation state-of-the-evidence-2008

(USA) NIEHS and NIOSH classified EMF’s as a hazardous substance, alongside dioxins and lead.  NIEHS advocates prudent avoidance of EMF’s. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/atoz/index.cfm

Prudent avoidance has been adopted in Australia, Sweden, and several U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. http://www.who.int/peh-emf/meetings/southkorea/en/Leeka_Kheifets_principle_.pdf

Collaborative on Health and the Environment CHE EMF statement http://www.healthandenvironment.org/wg_emf_news/772

California EMF program 7 million dollar gov’t mandated study. up to 95% certainty leukemia caused by EMF’s. Up to 80% certainty brain cancer related to EMF’s. Advocate prudent avoidance of EMF’s. http://www.ehib.org/topic.jsp?topic_key=7

2009 Counties of LA (CA), Pima (AZ) City of Portland Oregon, Cities of Sebastopol, Albany and Glendale CA pass resolutions requesting the federal government repeal section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.and/or requesting the FCC to update RF studies http://www.cloutnow.org/localres/

Chinese breakthrough study how EMFs promote childhood leukemia.  http://www.microwavenews.com/XRCC1.html

European Union adopts ALDE report adivsing the precautionary principle for EMF’shttp://www.alde.eu/index.php?id=42&L=2&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=9559&cHash=2fec11e0cc

USA, NJ. Sussex County school to close due to unsafe power lines near playground: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/sussex_county_school_to_close.html

(NZ) Dr. Neil Cherry: http://www.neilcherry.com/

(USA) Dr. Louis Slesin: http://www.microwavenews.com

(Canada) Dr. Magda Havas:www.magdahavas.com www.magdahavas.org

Dr. Martin Blank video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6wLFeIrCtU

Electrical Sensitivity

Germany 2002: Freiberger Appeal signed by 30,000 doctors http://freiburger-appell-2012.info/en/home.php?lang=EN

2005 Ireland IDEA Irish doctors concern over EMR health effects http://www.ideaireland.org/emririshresearch.htm

Switzerland: Dr. Rau Paracelsus Health Clinic : treats 10,000 people annually. They assess health in light of EMF exposure. Although health issues are multi factorial, his assessment is EMFs are a hidden factor in many illnesses: http://www.paracelsus.ch/welcome

US Access Board: Report on Indoor Environmental Quality Released http://access-board.gov/news/ieq.htm

Dr. Christine Aschermann: Observations from a Psychotherapy Practice on Mobile Telecommunications and DECT Telephones: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Aschermann2009.pdf

Nordic Council of Ministers: The Nordic Adaptation of Classification of Occupationally Related Disorders (Diseases and Symptoms) to ICD-10 ed. by F Levy and A Wannag. 2000. Lists Electromagnetic intolerance as an occupational disorder. http://www.nordclass.uu.se/verksam/NordICD10.pdf

France Eco village white zone for EHS recovery http://www.zoneblanche.fr/index-eng.html

2008: Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_sensitivity

Sweden: FEB Electrosensitivity: http://www.feb.se/index_int.htm

The City of Colwood, BC Canada has declared August 2009 Electromagnetic Sensitivity Awareness month:http://colwood.fileprosite.com/FileStorage/0F1380D9502E4153B38C355BAB43124F-Mayors%20Press%20Release%20-%20EMS%20Sensitivity%20Month.pdf

Netherlands Electrohypersensitivity Questionaire Survey Results: http://www.stichtingehs.nl/images/stories/EHS/supplement_8.pdf

Dutch EHS Foundation: http://www.stichtingehs.nl/content/view/64/1/

Canada: Wireless Electrical and Electromagnetic Pollution News: http://www.weepinitiative.org/index.html

China internet addiction youth  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4327258.stm

South Korea govt study  internet addiction/ Millions of youth at risk. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/technology/18rehab.html

Spain: children treated for cell phone addiction: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7452463.stm

Canadian Human Rights commission: policy on environmental sensitivitieshttp://www.environmentalhealth.ca/summer07humanrights.html

Guideline of the Austrian Medical Association for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses There has been a sharp rise in unspecific, often stress associated health problems that increasingly present physicians with the challenge of complex differential diagnosis. A cause that has been accorded little attention so far is increasing electrosmog exposure at home, at work and during leisure activities, occurring in addition to chronic stress in personal and working life. It correlates with an overall situation of chronic stress that can lead to burnout. How can physicians respond to this development?

Cell Towers/ Antennas

CHILE 4 December 2009 The Appeal Court in Rancagua confirms the demolition of a mobile phone mast in Santa Cruz, Chile. http://www.nextup.org/pdf/Emol_Appeal_Court_Chile_confirms_demolition_mobile_phone_mast_in_Santa_Cruz_04_12_2009.pdf

Cell-Phone Towers and Communities: The Struggle for Local Control B. Blake Levitthttp://arts.envirolink.org/arts_and_activism/BlakeLevitt.html

2009 Botswana Africa: A controversial cell phone tower erected on the royal Phuthadikobo Hill has been destroyed by the villagers.http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=189&dir=2009/October/Monday12

Botswana Africa: Bakgatla, BTA, radiation and public safety http://sundaystandard.info/news/news_item.php?NewsID=5984&GroupID=5

UK EM Radiation Research Trustee Eileen O’Connor Report on base stations: http://www.radiationresearch.org/pdfs/20061101_base_stations_health_concerns.pdf

2009 USA CA. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a local government’s authority to deny antennas in public rights-of-way for aesthetic reasons. The case is Sprint PCS Assets, L.L.C. v. City of Palos Verdes Estateshttp://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2009/10/13/05-56106.pdf http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ugly-telecoms26-2009oct26,0,5439620.story

2009 Hunnington Beach California: City leaders vote to move controversial cell phone tower http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-phone-cell-2378582-tower-mobile

International Association of Firefighters moratorium of cell tower siting on Fire stations http://www.iaff.org/hs/Facts/CellTowerFinal.asp

The American Bird Conservancy, Forest Conservation Council and Friends of the Earth brought a lawsuit against the FCC and the Federal Court Ordered Cell Tower Safeguards for Migrating Birds http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/080219.html

Israel bans antenaes on residences: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/916666.html

Portugal opposes Cell tower http://www.portugalresident.com/portugalresident/showstory.asp?ID=28969

Taiwan removes 1500 cell towers near schools: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2007/11/06/129715/1500-cellphone.htm

Ukiah CA. rejects cell tower: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080222/NEWS/802220314/1033/NEWS01

USA: Two radio towers in Washington State toppled  http://www.rickross.com/reference/animal/animal116.html

Panama: Companies in need of antennas must share structures to hold them:http://www.laestrella.com.pa/online/impreso/2008/11/01/cell-phone-antenna-installations-to-be-controlled.asp

Oregon, USA city school board unplugs cell towers:http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/west_linnwilsonville_school_bo.html

New Zealand citizens video appeal to Government (opposing cell towers) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw6av2W60KA

Los Angeles unified school district policy restricts cell sites on LA USD property and requires new schools to avoid siting near cell sites http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/board/secretary/html/agendas/mt/mt06-27-00.html

2009 Los Angeles Unified School District adopted a resolution that includes a statement in favor of repealing the Telecommunication Act of 1996’s preemption of consideration of health and environmental effects of wireless facilities. http://cloutnow.org/lausd/

USA: CA: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a 3-Judgepanel’s earlier decision and ruled that a wireless siting ordinance enacted by San Diego County is not preempted by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Environment

2002 letter from the EPA (Environment Protection Agency)  stating the FCC’s standards are “thermally based, and do not apply to chronic, non-thermal exposure situations”: http://www.emrpolicy.org/litigation/case_law/docs/noi_epa_response.pdf

Overloading of Towns and Cities with Radio Transmitters (Cellular Transmitter): a hazard for the human health and a disturbance of eco-ethics by Karl Hecht, Elena N. Savoleyhttp://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/hechtvortrag070724englisch.pdf

The Ecologist: Mobile Phones Could lead to bee decline: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/269118/mobile_phones_could_lead_to_bee_decline.html

Bees, Birds and Mankind: Destroying Nature by Electrosmog by Dr. Ulrich Warnke: http://www.kompetenzinitiative.net/broschuerenreihe/brochure-series/english/bees-birds-and-mankind.html

Mt. Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center: Health effects from cell tower radiation: http://www.mountshastaecology.org/Archive/Health_Effects_from_Cell_Phone_Tower_Radiation.html

Organic Consumers Association:  http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6388.cfm

Cell Phones

The Canadian Public Health Officer, David Butler-Jones, advised Canadians to limit their and their children’s use of cell phones until science resolves uncertainties about long term health effects. http://www.organicconsumers.org/Politics/cellphone071505.cfm

June 2008: France 20 top scientists warn about cell phones and brain cancer

July 2008 Study: Prenatal Cell Phone Exposure Tied to Children’s Behavior http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/29/us-prenatal-cell-phone-idUSTON97595120080729

England:2000, the UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones chaired by Sir William Stewart, reports that “a precautionary approach be adopted until more robust scientific information becomes available.” http://www.iegmp.org.uk/documents/iegmp_6.pdf

UK Health protection advises children under 16 to limit their use of mobile phone. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4196762.stm

Russian National Committee on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection advises against cell phones for 18 years and under http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mobile-and-children-RNC.pdf

India: limit cell phone use for youth under 16  http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14695318

Israel: Health Ministry calls for parents to limits kids cell phone use:http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1006175.html

India: ban on children and pregnant women in TV ads for cell phoneshttp://www.bi-me.com/main.php?id=21423&t=1&c=33&cg=4&mset=

2004, the European Union’s EMF REFLEX Research Project is released, showing that mobile phone radiation (radiofrequency radiation) damages DNA in human cells. omega.twoday.net/stories/436261

Madhya Pradesh, India: Bans cell phones in schools: http://www.indiaenews.com/education/20080718/132841.htm

Australia: Cell phone warning http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/video#

French Ministry of Health cell phone warning  http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/02/us-france-mobiles-idUSL0223157720080102

Canada, Toronto Public Health is advising children and teens to limit the time they spend on cellphones until more is known about potential health effects. Toronto Star, Ontario. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2008/07/12/dial_back_cellphone_use_city_officials_tell_parents.html

USA: July 2008 University of Pittsburg’s Cancer Intistute Dr. Ron Herberman’s memo to staff / Cell phone warning:http://www.post-gazette.com/downloads/20080722upci_cellphone_memo.pdf

USA September 2008 Rep. Dennis Kucinich holds Congressional Hearing on Cell Phone Health Effects http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/09/25/cellphones.cancer/index.html?iref=24hours

September 2008 Economist commentary on the Interphone Study ” Mobile Madness”: http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12295222

The Belgian Foundation against Cancer (www.cancer.be) issued a warning
concerning mobile phone use “Calling in the car increases risk of cancer” http://www.expatica.com/be/news/local_news/Calling-in-the-car-increases-risk-of-cancer.html

Finland: The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has recommended restricting the use of mobile phones by children:http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2009/01/authority_recommends_restricting_childrens_use_of_mobiles_466353.html

2009 National Safety Council calls for a nationwide ban on cell phones while driving: http://www.nsc.org/Pages/NationalSafetyCouncilCallsforNationwideBanonCellPhoneUseWhileDriving.aspx

World Health Organization Interphone study Results Update WHO INTERPHONE results update Oct. 2008

Lyon France advertising campaign against cell phones for kids under 12

USA Boston: Cell phone Ban After Boston Trolley Crashhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/us/10boston.html

Mobile phones to be banned in French primary schools to limit health risk http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/mobile-phones-banned-in-french-schools-over-radiation-fears-26539161.html

How Susceptible are Genes to Mobile Phone Radiation? by Prof. Franz Adlkofer, Prof. Igor Y. Belyaev, Vladislav M. Shiroff, and Dr. Karl Richter http://www.icems.eu/docs/howsusceptiblearegenes.pdf

Mobile phone use ‘raises children’s risk of brain cancer five fold’: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html

Dr. Vini Kharuna Brain Surgeon: “Mobile Phones and Brain Tumours- A Public Health Concern”http://www.brain-surgery.us/mobph.pdf

“Cell Phones and Brain Tumors”15 reasons for concern http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/science/reasons_us.pdf

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) who works to protect children and kids from toxic chemicals in our food, water, air, and the products we use every day, released a 40 page report titled:  “Cell Phone Radiation-Science Review on Cancer Risks and Children’s Health”  http://static.ewg.org/reports/2012/cellphones/2009-cellphoneradiation-fullreport.pdf

The FCC advice to consumers about the use of cell phones. http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/mobilephone.html

U.S. bans truckers, bus drivers from texting while driving:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/26/AR2010012603238.html?sub=AR

Time magazine: How Safe is Your Cell Phone? http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1969732,00.html

Warning, Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous To Your Health: GQ Magazine http://www.gq.com/cars-gear/gear-and-gadgets/201002/warning-cell-phone-radiation?currentPage=1

Updated 6/30/2013 by Sandi Maurer  EMF Safety Network PO Box 1016 Sebastopol CA 95473  www.emfsafetynetwork.org

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