Dr. Martin Blank has PhD degrees from Columbia University in physical chemistry, and from the University of Cambridge in colloid science. He is a retired Associate Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University Medical School, and now a Special Lecturer in the department. His research includes health effects of electromagnetic radiation.
Month: September 2013
Louis C.K.’s Case Against Kids Having Cell phones
Kids at risk for cancer on wireless iPads in schools
TV news: World Health Organization says wireless is a cancer risk just like lead, engine exhaust, and chloroform. Newscasters recognize our kids are at risk on wireless iPads in school.
Doctors weigh in on dangers of Wi-Fi
This is one of the best TV news coverage on wireless risks for children. I apologize for the ad, but the video is worth waiting for. The commentary by the newscasters is great. Watch till the end, and hopefully the video won’t be changed or removed. Already the script has a disclaimer by the school system. This video from FOX5 Vegas KVVU is no longer available.
Letter to SUSD
Schools in California and beyond are transitioning away from books to computer based learning. In many cases they’re using wireless computers (iPads) to teach at least two subjects, math and language arts. This is part of a new federal curriculum called Common Core.
In my comments to the Sebastopol Union School District I advocate for an alternative technology plan creating a hardwired computer lab for testing and test preparation. Click here to view the original Letter to SUSD
In Sebastopol the school district is presenting their technology plan on Wednesday September 18 at 4:30 at 7611 Huntley Ave.
9/16/2013 To: Members of the School Board, staff, and teachers Sebastopol Union School District 7611 Huntley Ave. Sebastopol CA. 95472Re: Comments on Common Core Technology Plan
The Sebastopol Union School District (SUSD) board is considering adopting a technology plan that converts students from book based learning to computer based learning and testing. This will be presented on September 18 at the board meeting as agenda item 9.1,1, and possibly be adopted at the next board meeting in October. As a parent of a sixth grader at Brookhaven, and director of the EMF Safety Network, I ask SUSD to apply the precautionary principle and adopt an alternative plan that reduces and limits children’s screen time and wireless exposure.
An alternative plan is to create a hardwired computer lab, for testing and test preparation, instead of using computers in classrooms for lessons and testing. This request is based on health advocacy warnings and recommendations from the World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente, American Academy of Environmental Medicine and other medical and science experts.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey in 2010, children between the ages of 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes on technology every day.2
- How many more hours of screen time will children have if schools convert to computer based learning?
- Will children also be expected to do their homework on computers?
- Will the new technology and supporting infrastructure be wired or wireless?
- Are parents adequately informed and included in the decision making process on whether or not to increase their children’s computer use?
Apply the Precautionary Principle to Ensure Safer Learning in Schools
The Precautionary Principle is based on ‘do no harm’ and ‘better safe than sorry’ philosophy. “When an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. 3
Kaiser Permanente recommends limiting screen time to less than 2 hours a day for teens, less than 1 hour a day for children ages 3 through 12, and no screen time for children under 3. 4 Kaiser explains: “Alot of kids spend more time in front of a screen than they do reading, talking with family and friends, or playing outside. It’s also affecting their health. Too much screen time is associated with: violent behavior, poor school performance, lower reading scores, sleep pattern disturbances, being overweight, consumption of junk food and bad habits later in life (like tobacco and alcohol abuse).”
The American Academy of Pediatrics states,“…studies consistently show that older children and adolescents utilize media at incredibly high rates, which potentially contributes to obesity and other health and developmental risks.”The Academy supports limiting screen time and media use for children and adolescents. 5
Wireless is a Health Risk and a Possible Carcinogen
In May 2011,the World Health Organization classified wireless radiation a possible carcinogen6. This classification is based on studies linking cell phone radiation to brain cancer, but it also applies to all wireless devices, including wi-fi routers and computers.
The American Academy of Environment Medicine (AAEM) in a letter7 to Los Angeles Unified School district (LAUSD) discusses why precaution for wireless is warranted and strongly recommends hardwiring computers in schools. AAEM writes, “There is consistent emerging science that shows people, especially children are affected by the increasing exposure to wireless radiation….Adverse health effects from wireless radio frequency fields, such as learning disabilities, altered immune responses, and headaches, clearly exist and are well documented in the scientific literature”.The AAEM states 3% of children and staff will be immediately affected 30% will have time-delayed reactions.
Apple provides warnings about health risks of iPads8 including headaches, blackouts, seizures, convulsion, eye or muscle twitching, loss of awareness, involuntary movement, or disorientation. There are consumer complaints about iPad health symptoms on the Apple support Forum.9“Is it just me or someone else also feels dizzy or nausea after using iPad for a while?
“YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! I’ve been getting it too…”
” I have the same problem you have… I looove the ipad but I don’t think I can keep it as I get nausea and feel a bit dizzy just using it for a few minutes.”
“… just today finished series of tests…echocardiogram, brainscan, ultrasound on carotid artery,..the works…to diagnose dizziness, and even one fainting episode..since Xmas. Guess what I got for Christmas…iPad…”
Federal Safety Guidelines Don’t Protect Children
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wireless guidelines are for short term (30 minutes) thermal exposures only. There are no safety guidelines specific to children. The FCC is currently reviewing their guidelines, based on a US Government Accountability Office request.10
Dr. Martha Herbert, a Harvard pediatric neurologist and neuroscientist writes,“Children are more vulnerable than adults, and children with chronic illnesses and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities are even more vulnerable… Current technologies were designed and promulgated without taking account of biological impacts other than thermal impacts. We now know that there are a large array of impacts that have nothing to do with the heating of tissue. The claim from wifi proponents that the only concern is thermal impacts is now definitively outdated scientifically.” 11
Dr. Ted Litovitz, physicist, stated many studies are showing biological effects below the FCC thermal limit, including psychological changes, stress response, DNA damage, and affects on the immune system, heart, and blood brain barrier. According to Dr. Litovitz biological effects are seen at 75,000 times below the FCC guideline!12
Create a Hardwired Computer Lab and Limit Screen Time
Faced with new testing standards and a new common core curriculum the schools are caught between new government mandates and health authorities safety recommendations. SUSD should not mandate computer based learning and computers in the classrooms. Instead, use the funding to create a hard wired computer lab, and limit children’s use to testing, and test preparation. Provide waivers for those parents, or students opposed, or medically unable to test on computers.
Some students will not feel well in a computer based environment and this will affect their ability to concentrate and learn. In Canada one family has sued the school district because the wi-fi in school makes both their children sick. With public schools throughout California and beyond transitioning to wireless computer based learning, this problem will only increase. What will SUSD do to keep more vulnerable children safe?
Furthermore, while you have the funding to upgrade technology, its a great opportunity to ensure all internet connections, including teachers and staff computers are hard wired for the safety of students, teachers and staff. Please keep the phone lines within the school wired and corded too!
Please feel free to contact me with your comments and or questions. I regret I will not be able to present this information in person on Wednesday.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sandi Maurer EMF Safety Network PO BOX 1016 Sebastopol, CA 95473“I have no doubt in my mind that at the present time, the greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields. I consider that to be far greater on a global scale than warming, and the increase in chemical elements in the environment.’’- Dr Robert O. Becker, Author of Cross Currents and The Body Electric
Footnotes
1 http://webschoolpro.com/home/CA49709386052211/Agenda%20September%202013/CCSS%20Expenditure%20Plan%2013-14-1.pdf
2Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Oldshttp://kff.org/other/event/generation-m2-media-in-the-lives-of/
3 Science and Environmental Health Network FAQ http://www.sehn.org/ppfaqs.html
4 Kaiser Permanente: “Limit Screen Time for healthier Kids”
5 AAP letter to the Federal Communications Commission dated July 12, 2012 http://www.scribd.com/doc/104230961/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-letter-to-the-FCC
6Wireless devices-potential cancer risk says World Health Organization http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=4386
7 AAEM letter to LAUSD: http://aaemonline.org/images/LettertoLAUSD.pdf
8 Apple iPad users manual http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1524/en_US/iPad_Important_Product_Information_Guide.pdf
9 Apple Support Forum https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2399586?start=0&tstart=0
12http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=11094
Additional Resources
The BioInitiative 2012 Report is an analysis by 29 independent scientists and health experts from around the world about possible risks from wireless technologies and electromagnetic fields. http://www.bioinitiative.org
Wi-fi in schools video: A ten minute introduction to wireless precaution in schools (Australia) http://youtu.be/GJPTzaNkcUk
Professor Olle Johansson Warns of Wireless DNA Damage to children / two minute video http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=9990
Is Wi-fi Safe? http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=10576 video
Excerpts from eight expert letters submitted to the LAUSD, by Joel Moskovitz, PhD, Director, Center for Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley: http://www.saferemr.com/2013_03_01_archive.html
‘Safe Schools 2012′. Medical and Scientific Experts Call for Safe Technologies in Schools. http://wifiinschools.org.uk/resources/safeschools2012.pdf
Scientific Panel on Electromagnetic Field Health Risks: The Selentun Statement
http://www.sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/docs/Fragopoulou_et_al_2010b.pdf
EMF World Concerns Summary: 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 EMF, and especially wireless radiation. http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=116
Wi-fi in Schools, a consumer advocacy website focused on wi-fi in schools: http://wifiinschools.com/
Are EMF concerns irrational? Dr. Ted Litovitz explains
Dr. Ted Litovitz, physicist, in his presentation to members of Congress in 2001 recognizes consumer EMF concerns and he asks his listeners, “Are they irrational?” “Can an electromagnetic field have any effect at all on your body?” “Are there health effects?”
He proceeds to explain the FCC guidelines are based on heating only, and states many papers are showing biological effects below the thermal limit, including psychological changes, stress response, DNA damage, and affects on the immune system, heart, and blood brain barrier.
According to Dr. Litovitz biological effects are seen at 75,000 times below the FCC guideline! Dr. Litovitz explains the evidence of non-thermal EMF biological effects based on scientific studies, including the role genetics play.
Video by The Council on Wireless Technology Impacts.
“FAT ERROR” Edison estimates smart meter bills
Originally posted in the Santa Barbara Review
written by Loretta Redd PhD 9/10/2013
A few months ago I received my monthly bill from Southern California Edison, and noted with equal parts suspicion and delight that the amount owed was $0.00.
Curiosity led me to check my newly installed Smart Meter which displayed a message among the flashing, repeating numbers: ”FAT ERROR.”
I didn’t know whether the error was overweight or Edison was now monitoring my caloric intake via its microwave technology, but if it resulted in free power while my lights still functioned normally, who was I to call and report it? After all, they were the ones who insisted all this fail-safe, energy saving transmission be done without two-legged “meter readers.”
Today, a young technician in an Edison van came to my door, stating that my meter had to be replaced due to a “fatal error” message, resulting in the loss of transmission capability since June 26th. That explained the zero sum billing, but I was curious as to what might have caused the Smart Meter to dumb down after installation.
His reply was refreshingly forthcoming. Actually innocent in a way, because none of the upper level management at Edison, the Public Utilities Commission or the manufacturer whom I contacted admitted to knowing anything about the Smart Meters failure rate.
The technician went on to disclose, “These meters are failing left and right. In fact, they’ve brought me and four of my buddies in from Indio to help with the replacement.”
“Really?” I noted with curiosity, sensing a story brewing, “And why do you think they’re failing?”
“Not sure,” he replied, “but they’re made by Landis + Gyr, which is a pretty good company; only these E130 FOCUS meters were all manufactured in Mexico.” He explained that the failures were a result of spikes in the readings. “Rather than a consistent pattern of 3, 6, 4, 6, 3, 7,” he said, “there would be a sudden spike of something like 22,000, so then an error message is transmitted to the main frame.”
After hooking some wire connectors to his laptop computer, he replaced the meter ‘face’ with one made by Itron, which interestingly had a prominent “USA” stamped on the front label. After the technician departed, I started a Google search for information and began calling around the black hole of gargantuan corporations to find someone willing to discuss this problem.
The Public Relations officers from neither Landis +Gyr nor from Itron returned my inquiry. But my computer search uncovered that Landis + Gyr has produced over 300 million meters in over thirty countries, employs over 5,000 people and has sales of $1.5 billion. They indeed have a “manufacturing high volume” plant in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
On the Itron website, interestingly, they heralded the joining of Itron with Landis + Gyr for “Product Integration Projects” such as the “Data Unification and Synchronization System,” which connects the communication technology of Landis with the systems analysis of Itron. Titans of industry joining forces for a global installation of new energy data-transmitting systems…
and we thought the NSA was big.
Indeed, when I checked the meter of a friend in Goleta, I found the Itron symbol at the top, and the Landis + Gyr at the bottom. It wasn’t labeled “USA,” so I’m not sure of its manufacturing origin, but hopefully it won’t suffer from the Mexican meltdown problem or Fatal Error disruption apparently plaguing our area.
I use the term “meltdown,” because in my research, I came across not only the usual conspiracy articles on Smart Meters’ electromagnetic fields frying our brains and resetting our pacemakers, but an entirely different problem in Pennsylvania (PECO Energy,) where overheating and melting had occurred as a suspected result of arcing and spiking. To my dismay, these were SENSUS meters, made by General Electric, and their installation had been stopped in 2012 while they replaced 1.6 million residential and commercial meters.
Whoa. Now we’ve got non-transmission for months at a time, and potential for fire as well??
I was relieved and pleasantly surprised when, by the end of the day, representatives from both the California PUC and SoCal Edison had returned my calls.
Ironically, I received my electric bill in the mail while waiting for those calls.
Total amount due: $84.41. On page 1 of my 10-page Edison bill, the “Summary of your billing detail” included the two prior months of meter readings in the amounts of $42.49 and $41.92.
Oh well, so much for “free” electricity…but how would they possibly know the number of kilowatt hours I had used, if in fact the meter had not been functioning since June 26th? While Mr. Miller from the PUC insisted that the front page of the bill clearly stated this was an “estimate,” I insisted otherwise, and read him the text verbatim.
Finally, on page 5 of 10, in small italic type, the word “estimated” appeared for the first and only time. The estimated amount owed for each month, according to Mr. Miller, was based on prior years’ use. If you are a new owner, I’m not quite sure what they use as a baseline.
I thought it was weird that the two months’ estimates would be close but still different, even when SoCal Edison was completely guessing the kilowatt hours I would have used. In fact, I was out of my home for most of July…but without transmission of electrical data, how on earth could I ever prove a lower usage?
Indeed, how can the consumer challenge the amount owed, or verify any of this data anymore?
I would suggest we pay closer attention to the “new technology” which was purported to be a “self-management tool” for us in energy usage and conservation. I hope my life is never so boring as to have sufficient time to go “online” and monitor my electrical usage, but I admit that I’m more inclined now than ever.
What really troubles me is that The Gas Company slipped an announcement into last month’s billing that they, too, would soon be attaching “smart meter” technology to their existing system. I haven’t inquired about the risks of “spiking” with pressurized gas lines, but it could just give “fatal error” a whole new meaning.
Smart Meter Film- Take Back Your Power- Watch NOW!
Take Back Your Power, Josh Del Sol’s full length documentary film on Smart Meters is now available to watch online (72 hr. rental) or purchase.
Utility companies are replacing electricity, gas and water meters worldwide with new generation “smart” meters at an unprecedented rate. Take Back Your Power investigates the benefits and risks of this ubiquitous “smart” grid program, with insight from insiders, expert researchers, politicians, doctors, and concerned communities. Transparency advocate Josh del Sol takes us on a journey of revelation and discovery, as he questions corporations’ right to tap our private information and erode our rights in the name of “green”. What you discover will surprise you, unsettle you, and inspire you to challenge the status quo.