What is that smartphone really costing you and your family?

By Amy O’Hair

Lovers☠ It’s costing you irreplaceable, meaningful time with your kids—or your date—or your lover—or even with yourself. LA Times

☠ It’s costing you relaxation and rest: now your boss expects more from you, 24/7. Business Week

☠ It’s costing you the real pleasures of travel and adventure. Huffington Post

☠ It’s costing your health in the long term. You wouldn’t volunteer to suck on a tailpipe or lick lead paint or drink pesticide, but those are all in the same cancer-making category as the RF radiation from your phone. “Five Ways Your Cell Phone is Harming You”

☠ It’s costing your brain: 4G cellphone radiation alters your brain activity in clearly measurable ways. There was never any long-term testing on the safety of your phone or the cell network. Radiation affects brain activity

☠ It’s costing your health in so many ways: you’re at risk for future cognitive impairment, immune disorders, neurological damage, stress response, disrupted sleep, fertility and reproductive problems, DNA damage, and finally tumors and cancers. New York Open Center

☠ It’s costing you high-quality, health-giving sleep—even hours after you get away from the screen.  Huffington Post

☠ It’s costing your child’s normal mental development. ” Washington Times: Parents be smart”

☠ It’s costing your child his health, now and into the future: Huffington Post and  Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

☠ It’s costing your teen her well-being. Environmental Health Journal

☠ It’s costing your baby a normal neurological development during pregnancy. Dr. Mercola and Electromagnetic Health

☠ It’s costing your fertility—or that of your child, in the future. There are many studies showing how RF radiation damages sperm and testicles, and fetuses during pregnancy. Here’s just one. Read the science

☠ It’s costing you and your child a sense of empathy and connection. Bill Moyers interviews Sherry Turkle on being alone together

☠ It’s costing you your common sense: Are you one of the many who “couldn’t live without their phone”? Do you like that? Business Week

☠ It’s costing all of us the environment: that vaunted “cloud” is a greenhouse-gaseous energy-sucking behemoth. Electronics News

☠ It’s costing all of us basic public safety and awareness: a whole train full of device-entranced people don’t even notice a man waving a gun—till he shoots someone. SF Gate

☠ It can cost you the phone itself. Half of all robberies include a smartphone … thieves take phones like taking candy from a stupefied baby. A candidate, returning from meeting about community crime, distracted by a call, is robbed of his phone at gunpoint, in front of his own home. East Bay Express

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

How you can make your phone less costly to your health and to your life:

  • Use it less. Turn it off. Can’t get simpler than that.
  • [Better yet, use it for emergencies only!- admin]
  • Need more? Environmental Working Group: Speakerphone or earpiece. Text, text, text. Hold it away from body during use. Only when signal is strong. NOT in your pocket, not under your pillow, ever.

Physicians group says smart meters effect health: “The evidence is irrefutable.”

aaemAn international organization of physicians and scientists recognize smart meters are harming people’s health.  They say, “The evidence is irrefutable.” and call for further research, accommodations and avoidance of smart meters.  This new statement is based on a review of cases by Dr. Lamech in Australia. Here’s their recently adopted statement: Smart Meter Case Series

“Founded in 1965 as a non-profit medical association, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) is an international organization of physicians and scientists interested in the complex relationship between the environment and health.

AAEM physicians and physicians world wide are treating patients who report adverse, debilitating health effects following the installation of smart meters, which emit electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) and radiofrequencies (RF).

The peer reviewed, scientific literature demonstrates the correlation between EMF/RF exposure and neurological, cardiac, and pulmonary disease as well as reproductive disorders, immune dysfunction, cancer and other health conditions. The evidence is irrefutable. Despite this research, claims have been made that studies correlating smart meter emissions with adverse health effects do not exist.

The AAEM has received a case series submitted by Dr. Federica Lamech, MBBS, Self- Reporting of Symptom Development from Exposure to Wireless Smart Meters’ Radiofrequency Fields in Victoria.  AAEM supports this research. It is a well documented 92 case series that is scientifically valid. It clearly demonstrates adverse health effects in the human population from smart meter emissions.

The symptoms reported in this case series closely correlate not only with the clinical findings of environmental physicians, but also with the scientific literature. Many of the symptoms reported including fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations, dizziness and other symptoms have been shown to be triggered by electromagnetic field exposure under double blind, placebo controlled conditions.  Symptoms in this case series also correlate with the Austrian Medical Association’s Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of EMF Related Health Problems.

It is critically important to note that the data in this case series indicates that the “vast majority of cases” were not electromagnetically hypersensitive until after installation of smart meters. Dr. Lamech concludes that smart meters “may have unique characteristics that lower people’s threshold for symptom development”.

This research is the first of its kind, clearly demonstrating the correlation between smart meters and adverse health effects.

Based on the findings of this case series, AAEM calls for:

  • Further research regarding smart meter health effects
  • Accommodation for health considerations regarding smart meters.
  • Avoidance of smart meter EMF/RF emissions based on health considerations, including the option to maintain analog meters.
  • A moratorium on smart meters and implementation of safer technology
  • Physicians and health care providers to consider the role of EMF and RF in the disease process, diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Passed by the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine October 23, 2013

Update:

Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in Victoria, Australia: a case series: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25478801

See also: Dr. Ron Powell’s “Symptoms after Exposure to Smart Meter Radiation”: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Symptoms-after-Exposure-to-Smart-Meter-Radiation.pdf

Belgium bans sales and advertising of mobile phones for children under 7

Childs radiation absorption

 

 

 

New regulation for the sale of mobile phones in Belgium

As of 1 March 2014, new regulations will apply to the sale of mobile phones. On the one hand the sale of mobile phones that have been specially manufactured for young children (under 7s) will be prohibited. On the other hand the SAR value will have to be listed everywhere where mobile phones are sold: in stores as well as for distance sales over the Internet.

 Sale of children’s mobile phones prohibited

As of 1 March 2014, mobile phones that are specially designed for young children may no longer be introduced to the Belgian market. This concerns customized mobile telephones suitable for children younger than 7 years of age, for instance having few buttons and a shape attractive for children. Additionally, from this date forward, no advertising may be made for mobile phone use among the same age group.

The specific absorption rate (SAR) to become mandatory consumer information

When you purchase a new mobile phone, from now on you will be able to choose your new device based on the specific absorption rate (SAR). The SAR value is different for every mobile phone. The SAR value will have to be indicated along with the other technical specifications, not only in the shop, but also for distance sales over the Internet.

Why these measures?

As a precaution. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 2011) there may be an increased risk of brain cancer due to the intensive use of a mobile phone. The IARC has therefore classified radio frequency as “possibly carcinogenic”. Measures are being taken pending clearer scientific conclusions. The intention is to raise awareness among mobile phone users.

Children already come into contact with mobile phones from a very young age. The overall exposure during their lifetime will thus be greater than that of today’s adults. Moreover, children absorb more mobile phone radiation than adults (twice as much in the brain and 10 times more for skull bone marrow). This is already a reason for additional caution, given the classification of radio frequency as “possible carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

This information above is taken from the press release of “The Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.”

Alone Together

“I forgot my phone” is a video with over 25 million hits.

Bill Moyers interviews MIT professor Sherry Turkle, who has studied our relationship with technology for over three decades, about what this constant engagement means for our culture and our society. Turkle, author of “Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less From Each Other”, says our devices are not only changing the way we communicate and interact with each other, but also who we are as human beings. “What concerns me as a developmental psychologist is watching children grow in this new world where being bored is something that never has to be tolerated for a moment,” Turkle tells Moyers. “Everyone is always having their attention divided between the world of people [they’re] with and this ‘other’ reality.”

Watch Bill Moyers interview Sherry Turkle here: http://billmoyers.com/segment/sherry-turkle-on-being-alone-together/

‘Casualty catastrophe’ – Cell phones

Insurers stop covering for cell phone use, called the next ‘casualty catastrophe’ after tobacco and asbestos; phone manufacturers hit with a class action and personal lawsuits; and the warning deep inside your mobile. Seek truth from facts with Ellie Marks, whose husband Alan is suing the industry for his brain tumor, ‘cell phone survivor’ Bret Bocook, leading radiation biologist Professor Dariusz Leszczynski, Microwave News editor Dr. Louis Slesin, Storyleak editor Anthony Gucciardi, and former senior White House adviser Dr. Devra Davis.

Sebastopol school board approves wireless computers for kids

The Sebastopol Unified School District (SUSD) unanimously approved funding for wireless computers in two elementary schools (K-5) and (K-8).

talk to the hand The Superintendent declared wireless was safe,  despite health warnings from science and medical experts, which were reviewed, but ultimately ignored. One board member expressed concern about increasing screen time for kids, and another about the placement of routers, but no precautions were included in the decision.

The request for a hard wired computer lab, which would be safer, faster, more secure and  more reliable was countered with a letter signed by a couple dozen parents who urged the board to “invest the funds in computer infrastructure that is portable, wireless and cost effective.” Reasons included fears of declining enrollment and children’s inadequate preparation for today’s technological  society.  The  letter states,”Key to their [children’s] professional success, social integration and economic sustainability, and therefore their health will be their ability to navigate the world of technology…”

The push for computers in the classroom is part of Common Core State Standards, the new federal curriculum which has been sharply criticized as eliminating community-based planning, and instead of fostering education for individual need and the common good, it puts children on a treadmill to become scared, obedient workers for the global economy. 

wireless cartSebastopol’s initial plan is to purchase 60 wireless computers, 30 for each school and store them on a cart which teachers can bring into the classroom.  While this plan is considerably modest compared to what other schools have deployed, (the Los Angeles School District is giving every student an iPad) it’s unknown if or when a 1:1 computer for every child will happen in Sebastopol.

It is also unknown how many, or where, additional routers will be installed.  The routers will increase the radiation exposure for children, teachers, and staff, even when the cart is not in use.

GofundmeChildren who have medical conditions (headaches, heart palpitations, medical implants, seizures, EMF sensitivity) are at risk in a wireless environment.  The public school may become inaccessible for them, or they may be isolated from peers when the computers are being used.  In Canada a lawsuit has already been filed against wi-fi in school.

A common misconception, which is used to downplay the health risks, is to promote the idea that wi-fi is already everywhere.  That’s similar to thinking engine exhaust is already everywhere, so reducing car trips by walking and biking to school is unnecessary.  It does not justify increasing wi-fi, and misses an important point.  Being closer to the source of pollution matters greatly.  Imagine breathing the fumes behind a bus, compared to knowing there are exhaust particulates in the air.  Ambient wi-fi signals are not the same as being in a room with 30 wi-fi computers, or being near routers which are always on.

checkmarkThe Alliance for Childhood wrote, “Fool’s Gold:  A Critical Look at Computers in Childhood”. They caution, ” Those who place their faith in technology to solve the problems of education should look more deeply into the needs of children.  The renewal of education requires personal attention to students from good teachers and active parents, strongly supported by their communities.  It requires commitment to developmentally appropriate education and attention to the full range of children’s real low-tech needs- physical, emotional, and social, as well as cognitive.”

Parents everywhere beware!  Common Core is bringing computer testing into the schools and giving the government a whole new tool to track and profile children.